On Saturday, the Almighty, as it were, comes to visit us. And the arrival of Sabbath holiness imposes certain obligations on us - like the visit of a distinguished guest. For convenience, we divide necessary actions into several groups.
Apartment preparation
1) Clean the house properly, sweep or mop the floor if necessary. And also do not forget to turn on the light and air conditioning where necessary, or, accordingly, set the Shaon Shabbat - a special timer for turning on electrical appliances (because you cannot turn electrical appliances on or off on Saturday).
2) Do not forget to prepare Shabbat candles where the meal will be arranged, so that they burn throughout the meal.
3) Don't forget to cut toilet paper or buy special napkins (so you don't have to take them off on Saturday).
4) The table for the meal must be covered with a tablecloth even before the start of Saturday. (There is also an opinion that if the tablecloth is sometimes removed, for example, to shake off the crumbs, you need to lay another tablecloth in advance so that the table does not remain uncovered).
Also, until Saturday, they set the table - arrange the dishes and everything you need. If possible, Shabbat challahs should also be placed on the table in advance and covered with a napkin.
Meal preparation
5) Shabbat meals should correspond to the significance of this day, so it is necessary to prepare at least two different dishes, in addition to bread and wine (grape juice) for. (By the way, this is why the last meal before fasting on Av 9 should not consist of two types of dishes: it should not be solemn). Even boiled egg or a salad for that matter are considered a dish. But it is clear that, if possible, it is necessary to prepare a plentiful and tasty meal, as for a meeting with a high and long-awaited guest.
6) You should open plastic, cardboard or polyethylene packages with food and drink bottles in advance, because. many of them are not allowed to open on Saturday (no opportunity to go into details here).
Prepare yourself
7) On Friday you need to wash yourself in hot water or at least wash your face hands and feet. Nails are also trimmed and trimmed as needed.
8) There is also a custom to plunge into a mikvah - a special pool for ritual cleansing.
9) Sabbath clothes should be clean and festive, and they should be worn all Saturday until - the rite of separation between the holy day and weekdays. There is an opinion that the meal of melave malka - seeing off the Queen of Saturday - should be spent in these clothes.
This is a short list of preparatory activities designed to ensure the proper observance of the Sabbath. The preparations themselves are the fulfillment of a special commandment, and since commandments are required to be fulfilled precisely with the intention to fulfill them - kavana, it is important to remember that this is a special commandment, all the time that we work and prepare. And it’s even better to say out loud: Likhvod Shabbat Kodesh - “In honor of the holy Saturday.”
Our sages said (Shabbat 119 b): two angels escort a person home from the synagogue, one is “good” (from the measure of mercy), and the other is “bad” (from the measure of justice). If, upon arrival, they find that everything is ready for Saturday - the candles are burning, the table is set, etc., the good angel blesses: “Let it be so next time,” and his companion is forced to say omain, i.e. join the blessing.
And if the picture is reversed and the house is not properly prepared, then the good angel is forced to respond to the wish of the "evil" omain, so that it will continue to be so.
As for the Shabbat Shalom greeting, we pronounce it at the beginning of Saturday, usually after the evening prayer, and throughout the day. The source of this custom is the words of the Torah: “Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy” (Exodus 20:8).
This commandment is to be followed both during the week and on the Sabbath day itself. And, in particular, so that we do not forget “where we are”, we even greet each other in a special way - Shabbat Shalom!
Would you like to receive the newsletter directly to your email?
Subscribe and we will send you the most interesting articles every week!
That's how lucky the Jews are - we have a holiday every week! Yes, Holy Saturday is not just a day off, but a real holiday. Of course, Shabbat is very different from other important Jewish dates.
Firstly, it happens not once a year, but much more often. Secondly, it is not associated with any specific historical event. Although ... it's how to look. After all, we celebrate Shabbat in memory of the main event in human history.
God created the world in six days. And only on the seventh I decided that I deserved a break. “I took a breath” or “stopped” - this is how the word “Shabbat” is translated. And since the Jews believe that the creation of the world began on Sunday, it turns out that the seventh day - the day of stopping, respite - is Saturday.
Among the commandments that the Almighty gave to Moshe on Mount Sinai was the commandment to keep the Sabbath. What does this mean?
Most importantly, you can't work on Saturday. It's easy to remember, but nice to stick to. Saturday is a day off by all laws, and doing nothing on this day is as easy as shelling pears.
But keeping this commandment only seems easy. On Saturday, God completed the creation of the world, so people are prohibited from any constructive or creative work. That is, labor, with the help of which we create or change something.
There are several types of work that should be avoided during Shabbat. The first is food preparation. But it's Saturday festive table- an important part of the tradition! So Jewish housewives have to work in advance, on Thursday and Friday. On Saturday, food cannot even be heated. Unless, of course, you leave the stove on from Friday.
Another prohibited type of work is everything related to the manufacture of clothing. Not only sewing and knitting, but even cutting threads or cutting animals! In addition, you can not write and build anything.
Well, okay, you already understood - you can’t work on Saturday. And what can and should be done on Saturday?
You need to turn to God. And in general, to think about everything important, beautiful, deep - about what we usually have no time to think about on weekdays.
By the way, Shabbat begins on Friday evening - as soon as the sun sets. The holiday comes to the family, to every home. Mom lights Shabbat candles and reads a prayer. Then, when everyone sits down at the table, dad or grandfather says kiddush - a blessing - over a glass of grape wine or juice. But no one starts eating yet: you still need to say a blessing over the bread. Bread on this day on the table is not ordinary, but festive - wicker golden challah. When the wine and bread are blessed, you can dine.
During the Sabbath meal, they usually talk not about who got what grades at school, and not about what is happening with dad at work, and not about who grandmother quarreled with in the yard. If this is a religious family, dad can tell something interesting about the holy book - the Torah. But even if you and your family do not follow Jewish customs very strictly, nothing prevents you from singing. Yes, right at the table! There are special Shabbat drinking songs, very simple and cheerful. With them peace and joy come to the house and soul.
On Friday night and Saturday morning and afternoon, men come to the synagogue. The prayers that sound there during Shabbat are special. Not the same as weekdays.
Shabbat ends on Saturday evening. A ceremony called Avdala is held. This translates as "separation" and means that we share the Shabbat holiday and the work week that lies ahead of us. Everyone says goodbye to the holy Saturday and returns to everyday worries.
For some, Shabbat is a truly sacred holiday. But even those Jews who do not follow all the traditions are happy to buy or bake challah, light candles, pour grape juice into glasses, remember the good things that happened during the week, sing songs. And then comes Saturday!
"Shabbat Shalom" is the greeting with which every Jew greets the onset of the Sabbath. On the Sabbath day, Jews stop all activities and sit down at the festive table. Where did the tradition come from and what does it mean, we will consider further.
The origin of the holiday
According to Holy Scriptures The Creator created the world in six days and rested on the seventh. For the Jews, the holiday was established through Moses over 3,000 years ago. Before the Exodus from Egypt, there was no sense in the holiday, since the slaves did not rest, and the masters did not need to rest, they did not work.
The Sabbath commandment entered into Jewish law when the covenant was made. The obligation to observe it was established not only for Jews, but for everyone who lives near them.
On this day, the Jews try not to think about the body and food, but fix their eyes on the heavenly, eternal. They visit the synagogue and gather with the whole family at the laid table.
Features of the celebration
Sabbath observance begins on Friday evening. With the onset, the Jews say to everyone: “Shabbat shalom!” These words mean the wish of a peaceful Sabbath to every Jew you meet. The literal translation of "Shabbat Shalom" is "Sabbath Peace".
On Friday evening, the mistress of the house lights candles and prays for the children. The father consecrates a glass of wine with special words. On this day, a special bread is used - challah. After saying the prayers, the family proceeds to the meal. Any vain conversations are forbidden. Candles create a special atmosphere, festive songs are sung at the table. Peace and tranquility reign in the house.
The end of Shabbat - after sunset on Saturday, that is, the celebration lasts approximately 25 hours.
Saturday rituals
The Shabbat Shalom greeting begins the Sabbath rest. The obligatory rituals for observing the Jewish Sabbath are the following:
- Lighting candles. As already mentioned, this is done by the mistress of the house with words of blessing. At least two candles are lit.
- Prayers. On Friday evenings, the men visit the synagogue to say prayers.
- Festive meal. After the men visit the synagogue, all family members sit down at the table for a solemn meal. The father blesses the children, hymns are sung.
- The consecration of the day is kiddush. Father sanctifies the day with special words over a glass of wine. At the same time, the challahs are covered with a napkin. After the blessing, all those present say "amen". Then the head of the family drinks the wine and gives it to everyone present to drink.
- Hand washing. Everyone participating in the meal must wash the brushes and wipe them with the pronunciation of the words of glorification of the Creator.
- Meal. On the table, in addition to treats, there are always two challahs covered with a napkin. They are reminiscent of the two parts of the heavenly manna that God gave to the Jews before the Sabbath. The father of the family prays and cuts the challah, dips it in salt, eats it himself, and then gives it to those present. Then you can eat the rest of the dishes.
- End of Saturday. It comes in the evening at sunset. Over a meal and a glass of wine, a special prayer is said, Saturday ends.
What does Shabbat Shalom mean to a Jew? These are special words, because the Jewish holiday of Sabbath is an eternal establishment, a symbol of the covenant between God and man.
On the eve of Shabbat, Jews clean the house, cover the table with a tablecloth, cut toilet paper, cook festive dishes, bake challah.
Saturday nuances
Tourists who find themselves in Israel need to consider several points:
- On Friday evening, all establishments close their work: shops, cafes, museums. Their opening will take place after the end of Shabbat - on Saturday evening or Sunday morning.
- Public transport does not work on Saturday. If you need to get there, you can do it by taxi or rented car.
- Elevators open on every floor on Saturday so that Jews don't have to press a button and break a commandment. Such elevators exist in most Israeli hotels.
- Emergency and medical services operate on the Sabbath. Jews believe that in order to save a person's life, you can break the commandment.
What else can not be done on Saturday? According to tradition, Jews are forbidden any creative work, which results in the transformation the world. It is forbidden to light a fire, turn on electricity, ride a bus. But non-creative activities are allowed. That is, cut vegetables, you can read a book.
Spiritual and earthly meaning
"Shabbat Shalom" is pronounced from Friday evening and throughout the entire Sabbath day. These words and the wish for a “peaceful Sabbath” turns a person to his highest mission on earth. They answer the wish in most Jewish communities like this: “Shabbat shalom at Mevorah!” ("Saturdays peaceful and blessed!").
Initially, Saturday reminded man of his Creator and deliverance from slavery.
To this day, the Sabbath rest stops a person in his earthly bustle, provides an opportunity to relax, chat with family and friends, enjoy nature, and restore strength. The Sabbath allows a person to enjoy the fruits of his labor. The Jewish Sabbath is a great achievement for a person, which makes it possible to realize the events of the life path and turn to God.
Jews on the seventh day of the week stop all activities. Like the Creator, who created the world in six days, and then, as it is said: "he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he did."
On Shabbat, you should forget about food for the body and take care of food for the soul. Turn to God. Dedicate your time to something important, beautiful, deep - to what you usually don’t have time for on weekdays.
More than 3300 years have passed since the appearance of Shabbat. Before the exodus from Egypt, the concept of "rest" or "day off" did not exist. Slaves were not supposed to rest, and the masters did not need rest. Some languished from work, others from idleness.
time for the soul
Gradually, Israel's example was followed in other countries. The year was divided into seven-day segments and called them weeks. However, alas, not everyone has preserved the spiritual essence of the holiday. Nevertheless, it is a high social achievement. A person gets the opportunity to relax, think about strengthening family and friendship ties, take care of their health, enjoy nature.
Light the candles
Entry to Shabbat begins on Friday evening. A woman lights candles in the house as a symbol that these small lights will lead to the great light of the Creator. Mom says a prayer for her children. Dad cooks - blessing - over a glass of wine. Even the bread on this day is not ordinary, but festive - wicker golden challah. After the prayers are said over wine and bread, the meal begins. create a romantic atmosphere in the house and no one wants to talk about the problems of the past week. But you can sing! There are simple and fun drinking ones. Together with these unpretentious melodies, peace and joy come to the house.
Saturday - the result of corrections
“The crown of spiritual work” is how Kabbalah characterizes this day. Shabbat is the highest stage of human development. The day that corresponds to the end of correction, the seventh millennium. With his arrival, reality changes. A person begins to realize that all the events in life did not come by chance, they were sent to him by God, for the development of the soul and spiritual growth. Like puzzles for a student. So, with hard efforts, we go through stage after stage of work on ourselves. As a result of improvement, we reach the level of the Creator - that altruistic force that created everything around and which can be compared with the sun, giving its light and warmth to everyone without exception. This means that people come to an absolutely correct connection between themselves: to understanding and unconditional love, as in one big friendly family.
Shabbat... It is impossible to imagine the Jewish people and their tradition without the Sabbath. Already at the very beginning, in the first chapter of the Torah, in the story of the creation of the world, Saturday appears as final stage, the crown and purpose of creation Until the advent of the Sabbath, human civilization did not know such a day.
In different cultures, there were days that were different from ordinary working days. But mostly they were devoted to trade, they became market days. There was also no seven-day weekly cycle created by the Sabbath. In various African cultures, for example, every third or fourth day was a trading day.
In ancient Rome, the gates of the city were opened every eighth day for the inhabitants of the provinces. On this day they brought their products for sale. The customs of the Sabbath caused bewilderment among the surrounding peoples ancient world. He seemed to them strange, devoid of logic and even harmful. The philosopher Seneca believed that this was a wasteful custom - because the Jews "lose almost one-seventh of their lives." Gradually, being borrowed through Christianity and Islam, the seven-day cycle became the property of most of the world.
Weekend in developed countries usually lasts two days. At the same time, in one of them (in countries with a predominant Christian tradition, this is Sunday), work and trade are prohibited (or severely limited). But this position is only a partial embodiment of the idea of the Jewish Sabbath. The concepts of work and rest on the Sabbath in the Jewish tradition are significantly different from those generally accepted in Western culture today, they are deeper and are the embodiment of Jewish views on the essence of man in this world. Judaism refers to human creation, creativity, the creation of a new one as a manifestation of the divine principle in man and, therefore, sees this as the essence of human existence.
This is one of the contributions of Judaism to modern civilization. Therefore, it is especially interesting that in relation to the Sabbath, the Torah says: "Remember the Sabbath day in order to sanctify it. Work for six days ... and on the seventh day it is the Sabbath of the Lord your Gd: do not do any work on this day .. ." (Shemot 20:8-9). To designate work on Saturday in Hebrew, the concept of "mlakh" is used, the exact meaning of which is creation, creation. In the language of the sages, the activity forbidden on the Sabbath is "malekhet mahshevet", that is, conscious creation. Just as on the seventh day, G-d "rested" from creation and creation, and the Jew stops creative activity. Therefore, on Saturday it is possible, if it is very necessary, for example, to move furniture from morning to evening, that is, to do work. Creation is forbidden, an activity that meets four criteria: the presence of a goal, intention, the addition of a new entity in the world and the possibility of the existence of the fruits of this activity for a long time. What is the meaning of this understanding of Sabbath rest? Why is it precisely the cessation of creative activity, which reveals the divine principle in man, that is the requirement of the Jewish Sabbath? Continuous creation, activity aimed at changing the world, leads to a situation opposite to the original meaning. Such a race enslaves a person, turns him into a servant of his ambitions, arising from the realization of his capabilities. On the other hand, there is a feeling of the boundlessness of human strength and priority, the uniqueness of human desire. The understanding of creation as a manifestation of the divine principle is being erased.
Saturday limits both tendencies, neutralizing their destructive effect. It stops running, allows a person to comprehend the fruits of his labor, leaves room for contemplation. Saturday separates a person from his work, returns him self-worth. Thus, creation returns to its original essence, allowing a person to manifest his highest destiny.
Modern Western culture treats rest more as a means of recuperation for more productive work in the future and as an appropriate time for entertainment. Today in Israel, 50 percent of Jewish families light Shabbat candles, 46 percent make kiddush (sanctification of the Sabbath), and 55 percent have a special Sabbath meal. 25 percent of Israelis attend synagogue on the Sabbath; 37 percent do not various works do not light a fire at home or outside, 30 try not to engage in activities related to payment, such as not buying movie tickets (according to the Israel Democracy Institute, 2000). Interestingly, the most common Sabbath-related practice today, the lighting of Shabbat candles, is not mentioned in the Torah. But already in various Talmudic texts, the most important place for lighting candles in creating a special atmosphere of Shabbat is emphasized. If a Jew is poor and does not have the opportunity to buy oil for both Shabbat lamps (in the Talmud they are called the “candle of the house”) and Hanukkah, or if he cannot buy wine for Kiddush (sanctification) at the same time, he must first purchase oil for Shabbat lamps (Babylonian Talmud, Treatise Saturday, 236). The duty of consecration (kiddush) is mentioned in the Torah, but it also concedes "primacy" to candles. The reason for this is the meaning attached to the lighting of candles: "ner beito - shlom beito", that is, the light spread by candles makes it possible for the home and family to live peacefully. In the dark, family members cannot maintain normal human relationships, quarrels and disagreements begin. A technical explanation of the role of candles in spreading light opens the way for us to a broader understanding.
Today, in the era of electricity, there is no need for candles as a source of illumination. But the light and warmth of "living" fire has long been associated in human hearts with peace, unity, perceived as a source of life. This principle of peace in the home, as we have seen, comes to the fore in Jewish tradition, and perhaps that is why the lighting of candles remains the most common Sabbath custom, even among non-religious Jews. The lighting of candles is the completion of preparations for the Sabbath and its beginning. Married woman lights two candles. It is also customary to light a candle for each child. If there is no woman in the house, then a man can also light Shabbat candles.
In honor of the Sabbath, it is necessary to change clothes. Everyone puts on a clean and ironed one, not the one he wears every day when a person is content with work clothes. "And call the Sabbath a delight and honor it" (Isaiah 58:13). How can you honor her outwardly? First of all, the fact that Sabbath clothes differ from everyday clothes. Hence the conclusion is drawn: a person, at least, should have two types of attire: one for weekdays, the other for Saturday. This custom has taken deep roots. Even over time simple people of the people tried to keep special clothes for the Sabbath day, did not part with them even in difficult times. life situations. Only twice a year do they not change clothes before Saturday: if it falls on the Ninth of Av (the day of mourning for the destroyed Temple) and on Great Saturday before Pesach, because at this time it is customary to clean and wash clothes before the holiday.
The Shabbat greeting, adopted in most Jewish communities, sounds the same: "Shabbat shalom!" ("Peaceful Saturday!"). And they usually answer it with "Shabbat shalom at Mevorah!" ("Saturdays peaceful and blessed!").
