Ahavat Olam
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ahavat Olam (Hebrew: אהבת עולם, Eternal love) is the second prayer that is recited during Maariv, the evening service in Judaism. It is the parallel blessing to Ahava rabbah that is recited during Shacharit, and likewise, is an expression to God for the gift of the Torah.[1]
In the nusach Ashkenaz, Ahava Rabbah is recited in the morning, and Ahavat Olam is recited in the evening as a compromise. Sephardim recite Ahavat Olam at both Shacharit and Maariv.[2] The debate over this recitation occurred between the Geonim. Amram ben Sheshna ruled according to the current Ashkenazi custom, whereas later geonim - Saadia Gaon, Sherira ben Hanina, and Hai ben Sherira - called for reciting Ahavat Olam at both prayers.[3]