Shabbat, the Jewish Sabbath, begins every Friday at sunset and lasts through Saturday evening, when three stars appear in the night sky. Jews around the world take respite in this weekly opportunity for peaceful family togetherness. Shabbat is a day of rest, a time set apart from the everyday. It’s traditional for families to light candles, drink wine and grape juice, share a meal with loved ones, pray and sing at synagogue, take leisurely walks, nap, and simply enjoy a break from chaos of the workweek. Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel referred to Shabbat as “a palace in time” – and what could be more precious in this modern world than time? If you're new to Shabbat, here's how to do your own special Friday night ritual.
Related: PJ Library's Shabbat Hub
Supplies
- Two candles and candle holders
- Matches or lighter
- Grape juice or wine
- Printable blessings card
- Challah or other bread product
- Optional:
- pitcher and bowl for symbolic handwashing
- cover for your bread or challah
Directions
- Light your candles.
- Wave in the light three times to welcome Shabbat.
- Cover your eyes.
- Say the blessing.
- Need help with this part? Watch the video below:
- Bless the children.
- Place your hands on top of your child's head (or somewhere else that they feel comfortable, whether that be shoulders, elbows, tummy, or just hovering overhead), and offer them a blessing. You can use a traditional blessing or simply offer them your wishes for the coming week.
- Bless the juice or wine. (This is also called making kiddush)
- Raise your glass of wine or grape juice and say the blessing, in English or Hebrew, on your blessing sheet.
- Wash your hands.
- If you're using a pitcher and bowl, pour water over each hand and recite the blessing from the printable sheet.
- Bless your challah.
- Take the cover off your challah.
- Recite the special blessing (called the motzi).
- When you're all done, slice or tear pieces of your challah for everyone to share.
- Enjoy your evening together.
TIP: Whether you try every step, or just one, all that matters is that you're trying something new to you.
More
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