Shabbat is the beloved day of rest that begins Friday night at sundown and lasts until Saturday at sundown. In observing Shabbat the Jewish people are following the Torah by working six days a week and resting on the seventh.

The Jewish family begins its Sabbath preparations early Friday afternoon by cleaning and tidying up the home and preparing the Friday night Shabbat meal. Strictly observant Jews prepare and cook all the meals in advance of Shabbat for they do not do any work nor turn on any electricity during the rest period.

The erev Shabbat meal is like a ceremony in itself. The woman of the home will begin by lighting the Shabbat candles. There are at least two candles lit, one reminds us to remember the Shabbat and the second reminds us to honour the Shabbat, the two versions of the fourth commandment. Next the man of the home will make kiddush over the wine. On Shabbat the wine is drunk from a special wine goblet called a Kiddush Cup. Finally a motzi is made over the challah bread. What is eaten as the main meal varies from home to home based on their own familial traditions. Some families eat chicken while others eat fish. Meal time is an opportunity for family and friends to enjoy a leisurely dinner and each others company. Depending on the stream of Judaism, people might go to synagogue before or after dinner. Saturday during the day Jewish people who observe Shabbat refrain from doing any work or shopping. As such Jewish families often return to synagogue, on Saturday morning for the Shabbat reading of Torah. Saturday is a day to read and rest. Shabbat is a perfect opportunity to reflect on the past week and look to the week ahead.

In keeping with the special qualities of Shabbat, its ending merits a farewell service, called Havdalah. A glass of wine, a braided havdalah candle and a spice box filled with sweet smelling spices are three key symbols of the Havdalah service. Wine gladdens the heart and helps us overcome the misery and pain that taints our world. A braided candle with at least two wicks is used in the Havdalah service, since the Talmud says it should be like a torch. The significance behind more than one wick is to remind us that all qualities come in pairs. For example, fire can be beautiful and helpful for warmth while at the same time can be very hurtful and dangerous. The actual lighting of the candle is also the first labour of work since the time of rest.

Finally there is the spice box (tower) whose sweet smell consoles us on the passing of Shabbat. When the sun is setting and Shabbat is almost over, one says a special prayer over the a glass of wine and each participant takes a ceremonial sip from the goblet. Subsequent rituals are made over the candle and spices. One lights the candle and holds the flame near their nails so as to see the glow/beauty of the Shabbat light. A prayer is made over the spice box and each participant in the service will smell the spices. Once the rituals are completed, we say goodbye to Shabbat by extinguishing the candle into the wine cup, and sing a song praying for a good new week. Shabbat is now over and once again we begin our week of work.

Holidays	Glossary	Treasures	Life Cycle	Home Page