On Friday, before sunset Jewish families prepare themselves for Shabbat. As no work can be done during Shabbat, all cooking, cleaning and shopping must be done before Friday sunset. Even little things like the wine being uncorked must be done on Friday. All this must be done on Friday, as on Shabbat you are not allowed to cook, use your car or use any form of public transport. Some families don’t use electricity.
The mother of the house starts the celebrations for Shabbat. She covers her head as a sign on respect to God then she lights a minimum of two candles to welcome Shabbat, as she lights them she says a prayer asking God to bless her home. After this she covers her eyes to delay the pleasure of seeing Shabbat. Two candles are lit, as two candles are equal the two commandments. The two commandments are to remember and observe Shabbat.
The men and boys go the synagogue for the evening service. When they return from the synagogue he says a prayer called Kiddush and then he will bless his children wishing that they grow up like the Matriarchs and Patriarchs. The family will then all sit down at the table for the Shabbat eve meal, for most Jewish people this is considered the most important meal of the week.
The table is always covered with a clean white cloth, this is as a sign of purity. The father will say Kiddush over a goblet this is overflowing with red wine. The family will then go and wash their hands, this is another sign of purity. There is always two loafs of plaited bread, there should be 6 plaits in each loaf to represent the 12 tribes of Israel. Over the bread there is a challah cover that represents the dew. A blessing is said over the bread and then the father will break pieces of the bread and hand it out to his family.
On Shabbat morning the family will go to the synagogue. When people arrive at the synagogue they wish each other a peaceful Sabbath, “Shabbat Shalom” in Hebrew. Some of the torah will be read and a sermon will be given. Jewish people are not supposed to drive, go shopping or do any sort of work. They are just supposed to relax without having the feeling that anything must be done.
At the end of Shabbat is there is another ceremony that is called Havdulah. A special candle with several wicks is lit and a spice box is opened, this is to wish everyone a sweet week until the next Shabbat. For Havdalah there is four blessings that need to be made, the first one is made over wine. The second one is made over fragrant spices; these spices represent a compensation for the loss of the special Sabbath spirit. The third one is made over a multi-wicked Havdalah candle. The final blessing is the blessing of Havdalah itself, is it recited over wine. After the blessing has been completed the wine is drunk. At the end of Shabbat people wish each other a good week, a few drops of wine will then be used to extinguish the flame of the candle.
