Monday, 16 March 2009

• Shabbat Post #1

  This may end up being more then one post. Someone asked me to talk about Shabbat (Sabbath) and Shabbat services.
  
  There is so much that can be said on this topic. So it may take a few posts. Hope that everyone is able to be blessed and learn a little something by these posts on this topic.
  
  Shabbat begins at sunset on Friday evening and ends Saturday night when three stars are visible in the sky (25 hours). On Shabbat we remember that HaShem created the world and then rested from His labors (Genesis 2:2).
  
  During Shabbat we spend time with family, friends, pray, read, and rejuvenate.
  
  The Shabbat meal is a time when friends and families share highlights from the week, words from Torah, and sing Shabbat table songs, called zemirot (זמירות).
  
  Here is one called Shalom Aleichem שלום עליכם

  (Shabbat Shalom umvorach Shabbat Shalom umvorach Shabbat Shalom umvorach) Shalom Alaicheim Mal'achei Hasharet (Hashalom), Mal'achai elyon, Mimelech Mal'chei ham'lachim hakadosh baruch hu. Bo'achem L'shalom Mal'achei Hasharet (Hashalom), Mal'achai elyon, Mimelech Mal'chei ham'lachim hakadosh baruch hu. Barchuni l'(Chayim tovim ul)shalom Mal'achei Hasharet (Hashalom), Mal'achai elyon, Mimelech Mal'chei ham'lachim hakadosh baruch hu. [Bshivt'chem l'shalom Mal'achei Hasharet (Hashalom), Mal'achai elyon, Mimelech Mal'chei ham'lachim hakadosh baruch hu.] Tzeitchem (uvo'achem) l'shalom Mal'achei Hasharet (Hashalom), Mal'achai elyon, Mimelech Mal'chei ham'lachim hakadosh baruch hu. (שַבָּת שָלוֹם ומבורך שַבָּת שָלוֹם ומבורך שַבָּת שָלוֹם ומבורך) שָלוֹם עֲלֵיכֶם מַלְאֲכֵי הַשָרֵת (מַלְאֲכֵי השלום) מַלְאֲכֵי עֶלְיוֹן מִמֶלֶךְ מַלְכֵי הַמְלָכִים הַקָדוֹשׁ בָרוּךְ הוּא בּוֹאֲכֶם לְשָׁלוֹם (מַלְאֲכֵי השלום) מַלְאֲכֵי הַשָרֵת מַלְאֲכֵי עֶלְיוֹן מִמֶלֶךְ מַלְכֵי הַמְלָכִים הַקָדוֹשׁ בָרוּךְ הוּא בָרְכוּנִי (לחיים טובים וּ)לְשָלוֹם (מַלְאֲכֵי השלום) מַלְאֲכֵי הַשָרֵת מַלְאָכִי עֶלְיוֹן מִמֶלֶךְ מַלְכֵי הַמְלָכִים הַקָדוֹשׁ בָרוּךְ הוּא [בּשִׁבְתְּכֶם לְשָלוֹם (מַלְאֲכֵי השלום) מַלְאֲכֵי הַשָרֵת מַלְאָכִי עֶלְיוֹן מִמֶלֶךְ מַלְכֵי הַמְלָכִים הַקָדוֹשׁ בָרוּךְ הוּא] צֵאתְכֶם (ובואכם) לְשָלוֹם (מַלְאֲכֵי השלום) מַלְאֲכֵי הַשָרֵת מַלְאָכִי עֶלְיוֹן מִמֶלֶךְ מַלְכֵי הַמְלָכִים הַקָדוֹשׁ בָרוּךְ הוּא

  
  
  Since it is a special day of rest, preparations for Shabbat normally occur throughout the week, and especially early on Friday. The house is cleaned, the food is cooked, and other chores are finished up so that everyone can relax and enjoy the sanctity of time apart from their normal routines. In order to make Shabbat a time of rest (menuchah), holiness (kedushah), and joy (oneg), it's a good idea to plan ahead!
  
  It is strongly recommended that you read the weekly Torah portion to be spiritually prepared for Shabbat. The Jewish sages actually recommend reading the portion through twice before Shabbat begins on Friday evening. Since this involves a bit of study on your part, make allowances in your schedule to find the time for your reading. (I post the weekly Parshah every week on my blog. I post the one for the week every Sunday and try to timestamp it at least once during the week)
  
  The Sabbath Table normally will include the following items:
  
      * A Tzedakah Box
  
      * Candle holders and Shabbat candles (at least two of each)
  
      * A clean tablecloth
      * Fresh flowers or other decorations
      * Kiddush cup(s)
  
      * Wine or grape juice
      * challah with challah plate and a cover
      * A challah knife
  
      * Salt (to be sprinkled on the challah before eating)
      * A handwashing basin with decorative towel
  
      * A siddur or shabbat song book
  
     
  For after Shabbat (Havdalah):
      * Kiddush cup(s)
      * A Havdalah Candle (blue and white braided)
  
      * A Besamim box (spice box)
  
  
  Items such as Tzedakah boxes, Sabbath candles, Kiddush cups, etc., are at your local Jewish bookstore or online if there are no Jewish stores in your area; challah and kosher wine may be found at a Jewish grocery store or a store that carries Kosher Items….The Weis store in our area carries a lot of Kosher food…I am not sure if all Weis stores are that way or not.
  
  The Shabbat Table should be ready and the meal prepared no later than Friday afternoon, well before sundown. After sundown on Friday evening you should be able to entirely relax and enjoy the fellowship of the coming Sabbath.
  
  Continued on Post 2 tomorrow....
  
  Shalom
  
  

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