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Traditional Rituals for Shabbat

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Traditional Rituals for Shabbat

There are several different traditional rituals that are observed on Shabbat.

Friday night on Shabbat

Friday night on Shabbat

  • Just before sunset on Friday, the lady of the house lights two candles - some light a candle for each member of the family.
  • Men will go to the synagogue for Shabbat prayers on Friday night.
    • Children might choose to go too.
    • Women and children who have stayed at home might say the prayers at home.
  • After the service, there will be a festive meal.
The traditional Shabbat meal

The traditional Shabbat meal

  • The meal begins with Kiddush and a speech about the holy nature of the day.
    • This speech is said with a cup of wine in order to emphasise that this is a day of celebration.
  • A blessing is said over two loaves of challot.
    • Challot is a rectangular, braided kind of bread.
    • The braid represents the relationship between God and the Jewish people.
    • The two loaves remind Jews of the manna God provided when the Israelites were in the desert.
The Sunday morning service

The Sunday morning service

  • There is a longer service on a Shabbat morning in the synagogue.
  • A longer section of the Torah will be read and extra prayers are read and sung in honour of Shabbat.
  • There might also be special children's service to allow the entire family to enjoy and connect with the Shabbat.
After the Sunday morning service

After the Sunday morning service

  • A second festive meal is eaten at home.
  • During the meals songs are sung by the family.
  • A third Shabbat meal is eaten after the afternoon service.
    • Often this is eaten in the synagogue.
  • The Rabbi might teach the community about Shabbat laws or the weekly Torah portion.
  • At nightfall, a special ceremony called Havdalah is held to say goodbye to Shabbat.
Havdalah

Havdalah

  • Havdalah is said with a cup of wine which is drunk at the end of the blessing.
  • Each family member smells spices to give them a boost as Shabbat ends.
  • A candle is lit which shows that creative activities are now permitted.
    • Fire is the original source of energy and so candles are still used so that Jews are able to connect with their tradition.
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