The Mitzvah of Observing Shabbat
 

"Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy."

(First of the Ten Commandments)

 

Shabbat reminds us of the creation of the world and our thanks to God for all we have. It is a chance for us to slow down, appreciate our world and draw closer to our family, community and God.

It is not always easy to take the time to separate from our work and focus on our personal and Jewish values. We can bring Shabbat into our homes with these small steps.

Lighting the Shabbat Candles

  1. Candles are lit between 18 and 90 minutes prior to sunset on Friday evening.
  2. Light the two candles.
  3. It is traditional but not required to draw your hands around the candles and toward your face. This is commonly done three times, but can be done up to seven times. You would then cover your eyes with your hands while saying the blessing:

Baruch atah Adonai elohaynu melech ha'olam asher kidshanu bemitzvotav vetzivanu l'hadlik ner shel Shabbat.

Praised are You, Adonai our God, Sovereign of the Universe, who has made us holy with mitzvot and instructs us to kindle the lights of Shabbat.

Making Shabbat Evening Kiddush

  1. Raise the cup of wine or grape juice by holding it in your hand, cupped at the bottom.

Vayechulu hashamayim ve'ha-aretz vechol tzeva'am vayechal Elohim bayom ha-shevi'i melachto asher asah. Vayishbot bayom hashevi'i mikol melachto asher asah vayevarech Elohim et yom hashevi'i vayekadesh oto ki vo shavat mikol melachto asher bara Elohim la'asot.

Now the whole universe - sky, earth, and all their array - was completed. With the seventh day God ended the work of Creation; on the seventh day God rested with all the Divine work completed. Then God blessed the seventh day and called it holy, for with this day God had completed the work of Creation.

Baruch atah Adonai elohaynu melech ha'olam boray pri ha-gafen.

Praised are You, Adonai our God, Sovereign of the Universe, who creates the fruit of the vine.

Baruch atah Adonai elohaynu melech ha'olam ahser kidshanu bemitzvotav veratza vanu veshabbat kodsho be'ahavah u'vratzon hinchilanu zikaron le'ma'asay vereshit ki hu yom techilah lemikra'ay kodesh zecher l'tziyat mitzrayim. Ki vanu vacharta ve'otanu kisahta mikol ha'amim veshabbat kodshecha be'ahava u'vratzon himchaltanu. Baruch atah Adonai mikadesh ha-Shabbat.

Praised are You, Adonai our God, Sovereign of the Universe, who makes us holy with mitzvot and takes delight in us. In love and favor, You have made the holy Sabbath our heritage, as a reminder of the work of Creation. It is first among our sacred days, and a remembrance of the Exodus from Egypt. O God, You have chosen us and set us apart from all the peoples and in love and favor have given us the Sabbath Day in your love and favor. Praised are You Adonai for the Sabbath and its holiness.

Then drink the wine or grape juice.

Hamotzi - Blessing the Shabbat Challah

  1. Cover the Challah with a cloth during the candlelighting and Kiddush.
  2. Uncover the Challah and hold it up for the blessing:

Baruch atah Adonai elohaynu melech ha'olam hamotzi lechem meen ha'aretz.

Praised are You, Adonai our God, Sovereign of the Universe, who brings forth bread from the earth.

Pass the Challah for all to share.