How do they prepare for Shabbat?
Shabbat starts when the sun sets on Friday night and ends when the sun sets on the Saturday. Therefore everything MUST be prepared before the sunset so no work has to be done on the Shabbat. They must ensure all food is made, which has to last for the Friday evening meal and Saturday lunch, all candles are lit so no switches have to be flicked on the Shabbat and everything else is done before the sunset.
Friday Evening
In ancient times in Israel Shabbat was announced on the Friday evening by blowing the ‘Shofar’ six times. On the first sound, all the farmers in the fields started to make their way home. On the second, all shops were closed. On the third, the Shabbat candles were lit and the Shabbat blessing was said by all of Israel. The last 3 announced the beginning of Shabbat.
Today, the blessing is still said at the start of Shabbat by the whole family. To celebrate Shabbat, Jewish families have all of their friends and family round for a huge evening meal which is a very important time for Jews. The table is set and a large pot of food is ready on the stove to save the mother cooking on Shabbat. On the table, with the meal, are two loaves (Challah) under an embroidered cloth. There is a goblet for blessing the wine. (Bread and wine were important in Jewish temple worship). There are two candles in candlesticks. The mother has the honoured tradition of lighting the candles. She does this with her head covered. She warms her hands over the flames, making a beckoning motion over the flames (to welcome in Shabbat, which is regarded as a person). She covers her eyes and recites the Kidoosh (blessing) and prays for her family. Then the meal is shared and enjoyed between the entire group. The food prepared beforehand is kept warm throughout Shabbat on a Blech Plate, which is simply a plate heated just enough to keep it warm without cooking the food further.
The Laws of Shabbat
There are altogether 39 laws of Shabbat, which basically summarise to forbid any sort of work on Shabbat, for example no pulling, no carrying.
All of these count as work, and must not be done on the Shabbat. The law that forbids the lighting of fire is very important, as this rules out many things. You cannot cook, switch on a light and importantly, you cannot drive a car. None of these are permitted because they all involve ignited something. Of course there is the law that outlines Shabbat: one of the Ten Commandments.
Verses 8-11: "Remember the Sabbath day, and to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the Sabbath of the lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: For in six days the lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the lord blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it."
This is the fourth commandment of the Jewish faith which must be observed.
Saturday morning: Shabbat Service
On Saturday morning, the whole family will go to a Shabbat service at the synagogue. It is the highlight of the week in the synagogue. The Rabbi will read from the Torah, which is the first five books of the bible (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy) but written in Hebrew. The service will usually include a talk (or sermon) from the Rabbi and perhaps a study or discussion of the torah. Services for children are offered quite often in synagogues so the children can study the torah as well. Shabbat services often have a Bar mitzvah being held after or before the service. There are also Shabbat services at the synagogue on Friday nights, but often just the men of the house attend his whilst the women and girls stay at home.
How Does Shabbat End?
The end of Shabbat arrives on Saturday sunset. It is marked by Havdalah. This is bidding farewell to Shabbat until next week. It is permitted to light fire again, so a plaited candle is lit and everyone smells the sweet spices in a spice box and the pleasant smell spreads through the house. This is a symbol of the hope for peace until next Shabbat. After the blessing, the candle is put out by dipping it in a cup of wine.
