Shabbat
The sabbath day is known in HebrewThe language of the Jewish people and of Israel. Hebrew is also used more generally to mean the culture of the Jewish people (ie. Hebrew calendar). as Shabbat (the traditional SephardiDescribes Jews of Spanish or Portuguese decent. and MizrahiDescribes Jews from Central and West Asian countries, often Arabic-speaking countries. pronunciation) or Shabbos (the traditional Ashkenazi
Jewish group and culture primarily developed around Central or Eastern Europe. pronunciation). It is from Friday evening until Saturday evening and is the main event of the week for practising Jews. The word Shabbat literally means to ‘cease’ – stop and rest (from work and creative activities).
וַיְבָ֤רֶךְ אֱלֹהִים֙ אֶת־י֣וֹםהַשְּׁבִיעִ֔י וַיְקַדֵּ֖שׁ אֹת֑וֹ כִּ֣י ב֤וֹ שָׁבַת֙מִכל־מְלַאכְתּ֔וֹ אֲשֶׁר־בָּרָ֥א אֱלֹהִ֖ים לַעֲשֽׂוֹת׃
And God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, having ceased from all the work of creation that God had done.
(Genesis 2:3)
Traditionally Jews light two candles on a Friday evening to mark the beginning of Shabbat and to create a nice atmosphere. The candles are lit before Shabbat starts because lighting a fire is forbidden on Shabbat (one of the 39 categories of ‘creative work’ traditionally avoided on Shabbat).
In some families, parents bless their children on Friday night with an ancient blessing. The words are taken from the priest’s blessing found in the TorahThe Jewish holy book (bible). (Numbers 6), including: ‘May God bless you and protect you‘ and ‘May God show you kindness and grant you peace‘.
KiddushA prayer said over wine. – a blessing over wine is traditionally said, describing the creation of the world in six days and God resting on the seventh day. Then the Shabbat meal begins with two loaves of ḥallah – a delicious, sweet, plaited bread.
AUDIO : “There is just something special about Shabbat. It’s really hard to describe. The week is so chaotic. Early mornings, school, homework, trying to keep up with everything and everyone. My house is like a busy train station with everyone doing their own thing and going in different directions!
We have different jobs to do in my house before Shabbat each week. My job is to set the table with a special white cloth, the Shabbat candlesticks, kiddush cup for wine, colourful napkins, our best cutlery and ḥallah board.
I often bake with my Dad on a Thursday evening too. He makes home made ḥallah which I think is absolutely delicious and makes the house smell amazing. I sometimes help him, but often I will make a dessert. My chocolate fudge cake rocks! Then Friday night comes, the candles are lit and there’s a kind of peacefulness in the house. We actually get a chance to ‘pause’ and spend quality time as a family.”
– Aisla, (12) Manchester
Six days you shall work, but on the seventh day you shall rest…
(Exodus 34)
The different groups within Judaism ‘rest’ in different ways on Shabbat. Orthodox JudaismOne of the major branches of Judaism. defines rest by the 39 ‘melahot’ – activities considered to be creative work, that must strictly be avoided on Shabbat. These come from the ‘Oral law’. Masorti JudaismAn ideology within Judaism (see ‘Groups within Judaism’ page for more details). will also be guided by these rules, whereas ReformAn ideology within Judaism (see ‘Groups within Judaism page for more details). and Liberal JudaismAn ideology within Judaism (see ‘Groups within Judaism page for more details). allow individuals more flexibility in defining for themselves how they prefer to make Shabbat restful. What all groups will agree on is that Shabbat is a time for family, friends, reflecting on the week and good food!
HavdalahA ceremony to mark the end of Shabbat. (Hebrew for ‘separation’) is a ceremony to mark the end of Shabbat. A blessing over wine, lighting a candle (with many wicks) and smelling sweet spices aredone to use all five senses to reawaken us for the new week. People wish each other ‘shavuah tov’ – a good week to come.
