Q&A from the Bais HaVaad Halacha Hotline

On Request

March 5, 2026

Q May I daven on Shabbos for someone who needs a shidduch?

A The Yerushalmi (Shabbos 15:3) says not to make personal requests on Shabbos (bakashas tzrachim), and the poskim cite this as halacha (see Bais Yosef O.C. 188, citing the Shibalei Haleket).

The Korban Ha’eidah (Yerushalmi ibid.) explains that asking for one’s needs on Shabbos undermines the mitzvah of oneg Shabbos (delight on Shabbos), because a person must feel on Shabbos as if all his work is done. By making personal pleas, he implies that his efforts are unfinished and introduces worry into his heart, which takes away from the serenity of Shabbos.

Although tfilah on Shabbos includes many requests (like Elokai Netzor, Yekum Purkan, and Brich Shmei), these are part of the fixed liturgy and said by all, so they are not restricted. The Yerushalmi says this regarding the request in Birkas Hamazon, “tend us, nourish us, sustain us,” and the poskim extend this principle to all supplications in the liturgy (see Mishnah Brurah 188:9), because these don’t induce stress.

Saying Tehillim is certainly permitted, even if one has in mind a specific person or need. Tehillim are psukim, so they are considered Torah study rather than personal supplication.

May one say a personal prayer, like the Yehi Ratzon after reciting Tehillim?

The Ben Ish Chai (Shu”t Torah Lishmah 103) writes that if someone feels genuine distress and finds comfort through tfilah, it is oneg Shabbos for him, as it relieves his emotional burden rather than adding to it.

R’ Betzalel Stern (Shu”t Betzeil Hachochmah 5:41) makes a distinction: The issur of bakashos applies only to things that are forbidden to do on Shabbos—like davening for healing, because medical treatment is generally asur. But something that one may do on Shabbos, he may also daven for those efforts to be successful. For example, because one may ride in an ambulance on Shabbos in a case of pikuach nefesh, he may also say Tfilas Haderech. By that logic, you may daven for a shidduch as well, because discussing or arranging shiduchim is permitted on Shabbos (O.C. 306:3).

In practice, because many poskim don’t make R’ Betzalel Stern’s distinction, it is best on Shabbos to say Tehillim without the Yehi Ratzon. The thoughts and feelings of your heart are enough, as it says, “He knows the secrets of the heart” (Tehillim 44:22).