“Remember the Sabbath day and keep it Holy"

Shabbat is a day of special significance for the Jewish man and his family. It is a time when they gather together to welcome in the Shabbat with song and prayer. 

Our Shabbat Set for the Man contains the essential elements of Jewish tradition that will help you lead your family in the joyful celebration of Shabbat. The set includes: Wine cup with plate, a yarmulke, a tallit and a prayer book and a guide to the Shabbat Blessings. 

The Sabbath ceremony marks the recognition and appreciation by the people of Israel for the special holiness that separates the Shabbat from other days of the week. Shabbat Kiddush is recited by the head of the household over wine or grape juice. It is customary to use a beautiful cup or a silver goblet, which holds at least four and a half ounces of liquid. 

One of the highlights of the Shabbat meal is the Kiddush ceremony. We sanctify Shabbat by reciting special blessings over a goblet of wine. It is traditional to set the Shabbat table with two loaves of Challah, a special braided bread in honor of Shabbat.  "I have a precious gift in my treasury," said G-d to Moses; "Shabbat is its name; go and tell Israel I wish to present it to them." (Masechet Shabbat 10b) All week we have worked. 

All week we have lived in the illusion that we hold power over the world in our own hands. But this is a veil hiding our eyes from the truth that G-d is the source of all power. On Shabbat we have ceased all work and toil. As a result, the veil has been lifted. Now we can see, in all its glory, the truth that lies behind our purpose in the world. 

This is a moment which must fill us with wonder and joy. It must awaken our hearts to that spiritual contentment that is the secret of Shabbat's day of rest. The Shabbat Kiddush blessing ceremony, when experienced to the full, in the ways the Torah has shown us along with the deep insight that the Torah provides of the human soul, and the genius of the Jewish People, have combined to insure that the joy of Shabbat will overflow into and transform our material world. 

Shabbat, itself a great spiritual experience, is to be welcomed with wine and blessings and song and festive meals. The Friday evening service is called "Kabbalat Shabbat," "Welcoming the Shabbat." Probably all who have participated in this Service would agree that one of its highlights is the prayer. 

Our Sages tell us that on Friday night, two angels accompany all Jews from the synagogue to witness the holiness of each Jewish home. The angels inspect the Shabbat food, the harmony and serenity. They are well aware of the sacrifices made to arrive at this moment. They say, 'Blessed is this Jewish home. May they continue to celebrate many Shabbatot (Sabbaths') in health and happiness.' In return, we welcome the angels with the first song of the evening, Shalom Aleichem. We sing 'Peace unto you, angels of the King of kings.' Our focus is not really on the angels but rather on G-d, whom they represent. 

Ultimately, all of our Shabbat preparations are to welcome G-d into our homes. Before we sit down to eat our Friday night meal, it is customary to sanctify the occasion by reciting Kiddush, a special ceremony involving blessing the wine performed at the beginning of the Sabbath and on other holy days. Normally Kiddush is recited by the father of the household while holding a cup of wine. 

The ceremony has two distinct parts: first Genesis 1:31 – 2:3 is read and then a Hebrew blessing is recited that sanctifies the occasion and thanks G-d for the gift of the Sabbath day. In the Jewish tradition, the Sabbath is regarded as the first and most important of the holy days, since it is a memorial of G-d’s work of creation. Shabbat Shalom.