Do you ever find yourself wondering on a Thursday afternoon, Where has this week gone? With the demands of the job, the housework, the kids, the family, the laundry, the lawn, the meals, and social obligations, there never seem to be enough hours to get everything done.
Take heart! You are not alone. This has been the lament of hard-working people for centuries. Even back in the days of the Jews being enslaved in Egypt (about 38 centuries ago), Mose saw the need for people to set aside time to rest. He went to the pharaoh and talked the ruler into giving the slaves one day off a week.
This day became Shabbat, 25 hours set aside for rest and reflection on the sixth day of every week. It has evolved with some variations, but many of the traditions have remained intact even in modern times.
In my family, the Friday night meal is our main focus. Our table is beautifully set with a white tablecloth, silver candlesticks, our Shabbat china, Kiddush cups, and special serving dishes. Before our celebration starts, we put a donation in our tzedakah boxes, a tradition that reminds us of our blessings and our obligation to help eliminate poverty and illness in the world.
At 18 minutes before sunset, we light the candles to signal the official beginning of Shabbat and set the tone for our quiet time together.
We sing prayers and beautiful melodies to welcome the Sabbath, including a song of praise for the Jewish woman (my personal favorite). We also recite blessings on our daughter, Amanda, and any other children at the table, asking God to ensure their health and wellbeing.
Then we fill our Kiddush cups with wine and raise them in unison. To the sound of clinking glasses, we say l'chayim, which means to life. We next wash our hands to purify them before eating.
At this point, it’s time to break bread. Two loaves of challah have been placed on a challah plate or challah board and covered with a challah cover. The two loaves represent the double portion of manna that fell from the sky each Friday while the Jews wandered in the desert. After a short blessing called the hamotzi, my husband, as head of the family, cuts the challah and serves it. We sprinkle salt, a preservative, over the bread to signify our desire to savor this moment.
And then it’s time to eat! We all love the traditional Friday night meal, not only for the several courses of our favorite foods but also for the time spent enjoying the company of family and friends without the distractions of the outside world.
As things wind down, we again rinse our fingertips in a special washing bowl and thank God for our many blessings by reciting the blessings after meals.
No matter how crazy my week is, I always find myself looking forward to Shabbat. It’s a great break from the commotion of everyday existence and a chance to reconnect with our family, close friends, and spirituality – the really important things in life. What a wise and wonderful Jewish tradition!