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Jewish Customs of Shabbath
The Hebrews call the Sabbath Shabbat. It is one of the best known
but least understood of all Jewish observances. Many think of the
Sabbath negatively to be associated with “killjoys” who
want a day filled with suppressing restrictions. To appreciate
the Sabbath day with God we need to get rid of this negative image.
To those who observe Shabbat, it is a precious gift from God, a
day of great joy eagerly awaited throughout the week, a time when
one can set aside all of their weekday concerns and spend time
for spiritual enrichment.
Observant Jews translate this command into practical observance
by refraining from any act of creation or destruction on the Sabbath.
Shabbat is a day devoted to rest, reflection, prayer and Torah
study. The order of the activities vary, especially among non-Orthodox
communities—just as Thanksgiving varies in American homes.
Friday Afternoon
In traditional Jewish homes, Sabbath preparations begin well before
sunset on Friday evening. Cooking and cleaning are typical Friday
afternoon affairs. It is much like preparing for the arrival of
a special guest: the house is cleaned, the family bathes and dresses
up, the best dishes and tableware are set, a festive meal is prepared.
Strict Jews remove the light bulb from the refrigerator (so it
does not turn
on when you open it), set timers for appliances to come on, etc. There are
even elevators in Israel that will automatically open on Sabbath
so a Jew
does not have to push a button.
Friday Night Shabbat Dinner
Sabbath begins at sunset. Shabbat candles are lit and a blessing
is recited no later than eighteen minutes before sunset1. This
ritual, performed by the woman of the house, officially marks the
beginning of the Sabbath.
The most picturesque tradition associated with the Sabbath is
the candle
lighting. The candle lighting marks the beginning and end of all Sabbaths,
weekly or annual celebrations.
The tradition of lighting candles to begin and end the Sabbath
started in a
very practical way. Scripture says, “You shall not kindle a fire in any
of
your dwellings on the Sabbath day” (Exodus 35:3). In ancient times, the
only form of light available at night was an oil lamp or candle. In order to
have the supply of oil burn longer into the Sabbath, the lamps were lit at
the
very last moment before the Sabbath began - at or before the beginning of
sundown. Once they burned out, they could not be relit until after the
Sabbath was over. That time is marked by the lighting of the Havdalah candle
(described below) (Taylor 1996).
Some families attend a brief evening service. In many synagogues,
the Friday evening prayers are recited at dusk. After services,
the family comes home for a festive, leisurely dinner. Before dinner,
the man of the house recites a prayer over wine (Kiddush) sanctifying
the sabbath. There are no specific requirements or customs regarding
what to eat except for the challah bread, a sweet, bread shaped
in a braid. Covers made of linen or other fine fabric are used
for covering the Sabbath loaves (challah covers). They are often
embroidered with words such as “In honor of the Sabbath” or
another relevant phrase, decorative floral patterns, or Sabbath
themes.
Blessings
A beautiful Shabbat tradition is the parental blessing. The father
places
both hands on each child as he says a blessing over them. Examples:
A traditional Jewish blessing for a son is: May God make you like
Ephraim and Manasseh.
A traditional Jewish blessing for a daughter is: May God make
you like Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel and Leah.
Or a personal blessing is said for each child using a format similar
to this:
“May God bless you with ___________ and ________________. May you be (like)
___________ and _________________. May this Sabbath fill you with _____________
and ______________.
Some families say a husband and wife blessing. Husbands read Proverbs
31:10-31 to their wives and wives read Psalm 112 to their husbands. Then everyone joins hands and sings or recites a phrase similar to the
following: May Adonai bless you and guard you. May Adonai shine Divine light
upon you and be good to you. May Adonai face you and give you peace.”
Saturday
Many Jews spend Saturday morning in the synagogue. Upon returning
home, traditional Jews repeat several of the Friday evening customs
as they enjoy their Sabbath lunch. Cooking is prohibited on Shabbat
so lunch is usually prepared the day before (in crock pot or slow
cooker). Saturday afternoon is unstructured, designed for relaxation and visiting.
Activities include: telling uplifting stories at meals, studying the weekly
Torah portion (individually, as a family or with friends, or in a special
class or study) reading other suitable study materials, taking a nap, playing
games with the children, a walk in the park, worship services, telling
stories, singing songs, visiting relatives and friends, and if possible,
visiting the sick, the shut-in, and the elderly. In the evening, when three
stars are seen, the Havdalah service is performed.
Saturday Evening Havdalah Service
The Havdalah ceremony is held on the Sabbath evening just after
dark. This is a man-made short ceremony to formally mark the end
of Shabbat. The Hebrew word havdalah means separation or distinction.
The following items are used to perform the ceremony: a cup of
wine, a braided candle, and a box of sweet-smelling spices.
Participants stand close together in a circle. Blessings are said
over each
item as they are passed around the circle. The wine is poured until it
overflows and then the cup is lifted up again. Psalm 116:13 is recited: I
will take the cup of Salvation and call upon the name of the Lord. Then the
braided candle is lit. It is customary for the child to hold the
candle. A
blessing is said over the wine. The spices are shaken and passed around for
all to enjoy the aroma. A blessing is said over the spices. The wine is
passed around for everyone to sip. The candle is extinguished in the
remaining wine as the final blessing is said. The ceremony is concluded with
a song.
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