SHABBATSHABBAT

The SabbathThe Sabbath

ObjectivesObjectives

1.1. To understand the symbolic objects To understand the symbolic objects and actions found in the celebration and actions found in the celebration of the Jewish Sabbath.of the Jewish Sabbath.

2.2. To recognise the importance of the To recognise the importance of the Sabbath in the lives of Jewish Sabbath in the lives of Jewish people.people.

Shabbat occurs between sunset on Shabbat occurs between sunset on Friday and sunset on Saturday. Friday and sunset on Saturday.

No work should be done during this No work should be done during this time.time.

It is observed by the majority of It is observed by the majority of Jewish people every week.Jewish people every week.

Sabbath as the brideSabbath as the bride

The rabbis used to say The rabbis used to say that every day of the that every day of the week had a partner, week had a partner, except the seventh except the seventh day, so God gave her day, so God gave her to Israel as a bride.to Israel as a bride.

Like any bride, the Like any bride, the Sabbath must be Sabbath must be cared for and loved. cared for and loved. Everything must be Everything must be got ready for her got ready for her before she arrives, and before she arrives, and while she is there she while she is there she must be the centre of must be the centre of attention. When she attention. When she leaves, everyone will leaves, everyone will feel sorry.feel sorry.

WHAT DOES THIS ANALOGY OF THESABBATH TELL US

ABOUT ITS IMPORTANCETO JEWISH PEOPLE?

Friday before sunsetFriday before sunset

All Jewish people hurry home on All Jewish people hurry home on Friday to make sure they are there in Friday to make sure they are there in time for the beginning of Shabbat.time for the beginning of Shabbat.

The house will be clean and sparkling.

The food is already prepared.

The table is laid with the besttablecloth and cutlery.

Candles are ready to belit.

Two loaves of bread called Challa are placed on the table covered

with a special cloth called a Challa Decke.

Lighting the candlesLighting the candles

Just before Shabbat Just before Shabbat begins, the mother begins, the mother of the house lights of the house lights the candles and, the candles and, covering her eyes, covering her eyes, says the blessing:says the blessing:

““Blessed are you, Blessed are you, Lord our God, King Lord our God, King of the Universe. You of the Universe. You sanctify us with sanctify us with your your commandments, commandments, and you command and you command us to light the us to light the candles for candles for Shabbat.”Shabbat.”

The Friday SabbathThe Friday Sabbath

The KiddushThe Kiddush

The Father of the The Father of the house fills a cup house fills a cup called the Kiddush called the Kiddush cup with wine.cup with wine.

He lifts the cup and He lifts the cup and says an ancient says an ancient prayer of blessing prayer of blessing called the Kiddush. called the Kiddush.

He then takes the He then takes the bread and blesses bread and blesses it, a piece is cut for it, a piece is cut for everyone.everyone.

Then more food is Then more food is brought to the brought to the table and the table and the family dine family dine together.together.KIDDUSH IS A HEBREW WORD THAT

MEANS ‘SANCTIFICATION’ OR ‘MAKINGHOLY’

Sabbath on SaturdaySabbath on Saturday

On Saturday morning On Saturday morning the family go to the the family go to the synagogue.synagogue.

During the service the During the service the Torah scroll is taken out Torah scroll is taken out of the Aron Hakodesh of the Aron Hakodesh (Ark), and one portion (Ark), and one portion or sidrah of the Torah is or sidrah of the Torah is read. The reading is the read. The reading is the most important part of most important part of the service.the service.

Any Jewish man (and Any Jewish man (and in Reform Judaism any in Reform Judaism any man or woman) may man or woman) may be called to share in be called to share in the reading. This is a the reading. This is a great honour.great honour.

Prayers on the SabbathPrayers on the Sabbath

Jewish people say prayers on the Jewish people say prayers on the Sabbath for:Sabbath for:

The country in which theylive

To remind them that they are one with all people.

The State of Israel

To remind them that theyare one with all Jews.

In Orthodox synagogues,prayers are in Hebrew except,in Britain, where the prayer for

the Queen is in English.

In Reform synagogues,some prayers are in Hebrew and some in

English.

The service is led by the Ba’al The service is led by the Ba’al Tephilah or master of prayer. He is Tephilah or master of prayer. He is also known as the Chazan or cantor. also known as the Chazan or cantor.

During the service there is a sermon During the service there is a sermon by the Rabbi.by the Rabbi.

The Havdalah CeremonyThe Havdalah Ceremony

When three stars appear When three stars appear in the sky, Shabbat is in the sky, Shabbat is over. over.

This is marked by a little This is marked by a little ceremony called ceremony called Havdalah.Havdalah.

The family sip wine and The family sip wine and recite a special blessing recite a special blessing over spices and the light over spices and the light of a plaited candle.of a plaited candle.

All five senses should be All five senses should be used in the ceremony.used in the ceremony.

There should be atleast 3 wicks braided

together to symbolise the

strength and unityof the Jewish

people.

The spices remindeveryone of the sweetness of theSabbath, which

remains with themAll week.

HOW ARE EACH OF THE FIVESENSES USED DURING THE

HAVDALAH CEREMONY?HAVDALAH MEANS ‘SEPARATION’.

WHY DO YOU THINK THECEREMONY IS CALLED THIS?

Put these Sabbath activities Put these Sabbath activities into chronological orderinto chronological order

1.

23

4 5

6