When everything is done, just before sunset, the mother lights the candles, marking the time when Shabbat begins. It is always the woman’s privilege to usher the Shabbat, she covers her eyes and beckons with her arms, and recites a blessing. She uses this moment to say a prayer for her family. It is a very holy moment, for Shabbat has arrived.
The father blesses his children, usually in Hebrew. It is a pray-ful wish that his children will grow up to be Jewish, and follow the examples of the righteous Jewish men and woman in the history of Judaism.
Then he will recite Kiddush – and every member of the family will listen and say “amen” at the end of each blessing. No-one will have tasted any food from the moment Shabbat began until hearing Kiddush.
After Kiddush, everyone goes to wash their hands – this is not physical cleansing but their hands must be clean, even before washing. Then the family take their places at the table. The father will recite a blessing over the challot bread and after cutting the bread, he dips the pieces lightly in salt and passes them round. The father the blessing over the challot (Shabbat loaves) – which represent the manna the miracle food that the ancient Israelites ate during their journey through the desert. The manna appeared outside their tents every day except Shabbat. Instead, God gave them a double portion. This is represented by two loaves of bread at the Shabbat meal. The family should thank God each time they eat any kind of food. Then the meal begins.
The meal is relaxed and unhurried, and the family share good news over the meal. The Shabbat is a time for the family to spend time in each other’s company and enjoy being with each other
The Shabbat Saturday morning service in the synagogue usually begins a bit later than during the week. It is also a bit longer.
During the service, the rabbi will read a part of the Torah. He reads it aloud in Hebrew form, which is handwritten on scrolls parchments. A certain part called a sidra is read each Shabbat so that the entire scroll is completed during the course of the year. These scrolls are the holiest objects in the synagogue.
When the Ark (containing the scrolls) are opened, everyone stands up to show respect. A Sefer Torah is taken out and taken to the Bimah. Seven men will be called to recite blessings at certain points during the reading of the sidra. At the end, before the Torah is returned to its place in the Ark, an eighth man is called to read the haftarah, a portion from one of the books of the prophets. After the Torah has been put back in the Ark, the rabbi gives a sermon. The rabbi takes this opportunity to encourage his congregation to keep Judaism alive.
As people leave the synagogue, they wish each other “good Shabbos” or “Shabbat Shalom”.
When the family get home, the midday meal is much like the one the night before, except the father does not bless his children. He does recite a prayer over the challot. Later on the in afternoon, the Father may return to the synagogue again. Afternoon prayers are usually quite short and the sefer Torah is taken out again and the first part of the following week’s sidra is read out.
When the stars appear on Saturday night, Shabbat is over and the congregation prays the weekday evening service. This includes a prayer asking for God’s blessing for the coming week. At the end of the service, the rabbi performs havadalah, (separation) a ceremony to mark the end of a holy day. He says a blessing over a cup of wine, followed by another over spices. A third blessing is said over the light of a candle, showing that Jews are once more allowed to light fire. He says one last blessing over the wine, and the separation of the holy day from the ordinary is completed.
As soon as the family get home, the father performs havadalah and the whole family tidy up the house, and prepare for the coming week.