Shabbat is the day of rest in the Jewish religion and is observed by the faithful every week of the year, from Friday evening until Saturday night. It is celebrated because it is believed that God worked for six days and rested during the seventh; Traditionally, the celebration involves preparing and attending the special Saturday meal, but you can also take part in liturgies and recreational activities.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Organize the Traditional Meal
Step 1. Go shopping
Three meals are traditionally served on Shabbat: the full dinner on Friday night, the full lunch on Saturday, and a relatively light dinner on Saturday night (called Seudat Shilisit, which literally means the "third meal"). If you have guests for one or all three occasions, shop and prepare the dishes in advance or ask diners to bring a meal or two so as not to overload yourself with work.
Step 2. Take a bath and clean the house
Preparing the house for Shabbat is considered a commendable mitzvah (good deed); in addition to cleaning, you must also use the best dishes, linens and clothes. Traditionally, this day's meals could be queen-worthy.
Step 3. Start the party with the first blessing
Typically, two candles are lit on the dining table just before sunset on Friday as a signal to start Shabbat. The candles represent the fact of respecting and remembering the day of rest. To get started right you need to:
- Light candles and cover or close your eyes;
- Recite the appropriate blessing which you can find in this link.
Step 4. Pour, bless and drink the wine
The rite of blessing kosher wine (grape juice) is called Kiddoush; wine is a symbol of joy and relaxation. To proceed in the right way:
- First, read aloud the Torah passage, Book of Genesis 1: 31-2: 3;
- Lift the cup of wine and bless it; you can do some research online to get more details;
- Bless Shabbat.
Step 5. Bless, break and eat bread
Just like with candles, you should have two loaves of woven Shabbat bread, called challah. The bread blessing rite is known as HaMotzi and its purpose is to show gratitude for the meal God has provided. Here's how to proceed with the blessing:
- Discover the bread and say the prayer; again, you can search online or use a Shabbat prayer book;
- Slice, salt and eat the bread which can also have different shapes than traditional woven loaves. Some worshipers prepare garlic Arab bread, others add cinnamon and raisins to make the challah sweeter.
Step 6. Serve an appetizer
You can prepare a Mediterranean sauce, your own creation or a gefilte fish. These are the dishes that are commonly served at the beginning of the meal.
Step 7. Bring soup or salad to the table
The next part is to consume a soup, a salad or a broth.
- If you opt for the soup, make sure it is chicken, beef with mushrooms and barley or with carrots and ginger.
- If you prefer salad, consider beets with tangerines and oranges or a Roman salad with peppers and meat.
Step 8. Serve the main course with two or more side dishes
For this part of the meal you have several options to choose from.
- For the main course, consider cooking meatballs with a mushroom sauce, chicken with apricots, or beef brisket;
- For the side dishes you can choose between a ratatouille, a timbale of pasta or green beans with almonds.
Step 9. Serve the dessert
Finish the meal with a tasty dessert with an intense flavor. Among the various possibilities are the apple crumbles, the peanut butter ice cream cake or the double chocolate fudge biscuits.
Method 2 of 3: Honoring Shabbat
Step 1. Attend the Saturday liturgy
You can go to the synagogue on Shabbat and notice that there is a slightly different atmosphere than usual when the focus is on personal and group prayers; during the day of rest the rite foresees the praises to God instead of the prayers of request.
Step 2. Study the Torah
You can celebrate the Sabbath by reading the Hebrew scriptures; by doing so, you focus on God and learn more about religion. You can read the texts alone, with a friend or family member.
- The Torah consists mostly of stories from the past that reveal the influence and works of God, as well as details of the Halahka, the Jewish law.
- Fundamentally, the Torah teaches the commandments and correct behaviors that must be respected with the body and soul.
- Get used to reading and / or discussing a new part of the Torah with a friend or family member on every Shabbat. Choose a small group of Jewish laws to study or consider a story to discuss with someone over coffee.
Step 3. Sing the Hebrew songs
There are several, often in Hebrew, which convey messages of praise and faith. During the Sabbath, you can sing them in the synagogue and during the meal with the other diners. Here are some examples:
- "Ki Tavo'u El Ha'aretz" which includes passages from Leviticus;
- "Vehitifu Heharim Asis" with excerpts from the book of Amos;
- "Birkat HaKohanim", from the book of Numbers.
Method 3 of 3: Take part in enjoyable activities
Step 1. Socialize with family, friends and the religious community
Many people take advantage of the Sabbath to reconnect with elderly relatives and friends. You can make a phone call, text, or spend time with loved ones to show your love and support.
Step 2. Allow yourself to indulge in hobbies and relax
Since Shabbat is the day of rest, you can celebrate it by doing what helps you calm down and entertain you. Here are some examples:
- Volunteering;
- A walk in nature;
- Visit a museum;
- Play an instrument.
Step 3. Participate in activities at your discretion
Traditionally there are 39 different activities that practicing Jews should not engage in on Shabbat. Most of these are in some way related to work; however, the criteria have changed over time. Some faithful respect the list to the letter, while others interpret it as a general guide and with some flexibility. There is a great deal of debate over certain actions, such as watching television, driving a car, cooking, cleaning, and spending money. Here are some of the original 39 prohibitions:
- Plow;
- Cooked;
- Shearing animals;
- Weave;
- Sew;
- Write two or more letters;
- To build;
- Turn on the fire.
Advice
- You can buy a prayer book that contains all the blessings and songs needed to celebrate the holiday.
- Bring fresh flowers indoors to enhance the mood of the day.
- After Shabbat, get the children to participate in the Havdalah service that closes the holiday of rest.
- Buy toys, board games, and Shabbat books to keep the kids busy throughout the day.
- Taking the children to the synagogue to attend the Saturday morning ceremony can be a meaningful experience. Some synagogues even have programs dedicated to children.
- If you are Orthodox Jewish, teach children the 39 forbidden actions on Shabbat.
