Kosher Kitchen | Jewish Dining | Sideboard Artifacts | Mouth-Watering Memories
Directions: Play the video below to observe a traditional Friday night Shabbat dinner.
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The Sabbath, or Shabbat, as it is called in Hebrew, is one of the most important ritual observances in Judaism, instituted in the Ten Commandments. The Shabbat commemorates the creation of the world in six days. Jews observe Shabbat as a day of rest, abstaining from work; study is also a sacred duty. According to halakha (collective body of religious laws), Shabbat is observed from a few minutes before sunset on Friday evening until the appearance of three stars in the sky on Saturday night. It is welcomed in a Jewish home by lighting candles at the Friday evening meal, reciting the Kiddush blessing with wine, and serving two twisted loaves of bread (challah). Regarded as a perpetual sign between God and the people of Israel, Shabbat is one of the strongest links in the chain of Jewish tradition. Adherence to the restrictions required for that day permits contemplation of how precious is an individual’s time on earth. The Sabbath is supposed to be separated in every way from the workdays of the rest of the week. The day is supposed to be given over to contemplation, prayer, study and rest from all work. Friday Night Kiddush Prayer: The sixth day. And the heavens and the earth and all their complements were finished. And G-d finished by the Seventh Day His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. And G-d blessed the seventh day and made it holy, for on it He rested from all His work, which G-d had created to do. Attention Gentlemen! Blessed are You, Lord our G-d, King of the world, who creates the fruit of vine. Blessed are You, Lord our G-d, king of the world, who made us holy with His commandments and favored us, and gave us His holy Shabbat, in love and favor, to be our heritage, as a reminder of the Creation. It is the first of the holy festivals, commemorating the exodus from Egypt. For You have chosen us and sanctified us from among all the nations, and with love and goodwill given us Your holy Shabbat as a heritage. Blessed are You, Lord, who sanctifies Shabbat.
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