Each nation has its own unique characteristics and customs that distinguish it from others. Jews are one of the most distinctive peoples on Earth, having an ancient and tragic story and at the same time a national character, full of vitality and strength. These features are reflected in the mentality and traditions that no one else has.
Celebrating Saturday
Only Jews, as well as related Karaites and Samaritans, celebrate Shabbat - in Russian - “Saturday”. This is due to the fact that according to the Bible, God gave the Sabbath to all creation as a time of rest at the end of the sixth day of Creation, after man was created. Shabbat is a sign between the Creator and the people of Israel. The Sabbath prayers say: “And You did not give the Sabbath to the nations of the world, nor did You give it to the idolaters, but only to Israel, Your people whom You chose.” Orthodox Jews celebrate Shabbat on Friday evenings with the lighting of special Shabbat candles and blessings. Shabbat ends on Saturday evening. All this time the Jews remain at peace, without doing any work. You can't even light a fire!
They have a habit of answering a question with a question.
In reality, of course, not all Jews always do this. However, the idea that Jews answer questions with questions is based on the traditional Jewish educational system. Jewish children and teenagers in cheder (traditional theological school) are taught not only to read sacred texts in Hebrew and Aramaic, but also to analyze the text and pose questions to it. The ability to pose questions, and therefore find answers to them, is one of the reasons why we consider Jews very smart.
Selflessly care for their family
Of course, all people in the world care about their family to one degree or another - Jews are not alone here - but it is among Jews that fathers care for their children as touchingly and selflessly as mothers. Husbands dissolve in their wives, and the image of the “Jewish mother” has practically become a symbol of all-consuming care. For many reasons, primarily because the Jewish people lived for centuries without a homeland, surrounded by other, seemingly hostile nations, the Jews developed the habit of living in close-knit family clans, caring for each other and supporting each other. Because who else will take care of the poor Jews if not themselves?
Do not drink milk after eating meat
Jews have one of the most complex systems of food prohibitions. Everyone knows that they, like Muslims, are forbidden to eat pork. But that's where the similarities end. Kosher (permissible) meat for Jews is only the meat of cow, goat and sheep, as well as elk, gazelle and mountain goat. The only birds you can eat are domestic ones, such as chickens, geese, ducks, quails, and turkeys. You can only eat an animal that has been slaughtered by a religious carver who has a special permit for the slaughter of animals. The animal must die instantly, all blood from the carcass must be released in accordance with the rules. Only kosher wine is allowed, that is, made by a religious winemaker. And finally, mixing milk and meat is strictly prohibited, not only in the process of preparing food, but also in the human stomach. Drinking milk is allowed only 6 hours after eating meat.
Stones are brought instead of flowers
It is not customary for Jews to bring flowers to graves. Instead, they place a pebble on the gravestone. This is due to the fact that Jewish tradition the stone symbolizes eternity. Therefore, at all Holocaust memorials, we will almost never see flowers, but we will find a scattering of stones.
Spinning a rooster over your head as a sign of repentance
On the eve of Yom Kippur, Orthodox Jews perform a strange, in our opinion, ritual: they spin a rooster over their heads (for women, a chicken). This custom is called “kapparot” - purification, atonement. In this way, Jews remind themselves that punishment awaits them for their sins and that they need to repent. Holding the bird in right hand, the Jew is reading sacred text, then spinning the chicken or rooster around his head, and says: “This is a replacement for me, this is in my place, this is my ransom! This rooster (chicken) will go to the sacrifice.” Some people take fish (necessarily kosher) or just money instead of chicken. Chicken or fish, or money - everything should be given to the poor after the ceremony.
Giving alms - wearing masks
During the celebration of Purim (one of the most joyful Jewish holidays associated with the memory of the deliverance of the Jewish people from danger in the 4th century BC), it is customary to distribute sweets and other treats, as well as alms to those in need. Usually, this is entrusted to children, but sometimes adults also take on this important responsibility. At the same time, such gifts must be brought in masks. This is due to the fact that carnivals and costumed processions are generally very common on Purim, as well as the fact that according to Jewish custom, the one who is given alms does not know who exactly did it. That's why benefactors hide behind disguises.
Who doesn't know what it is Shabbat?
Hello, Saturday! Shabbat, shalom! - with these words every Jew greets the seventh day of the week, and they say this traditional Saturday greeting long before the end of the week, as if approaching the arrival of the most important day of the Jewish tradition.
Shabbat eve table with covered challah bread, candles
Shabbat - one of the seven days of the week when people stop working for the glory of the Creator. "And there was evening and there was morning"- six days of creation God built the Universe, he put great love into his creation, and everything that was created by Him turned out to be "very good."
And the 7th day came. And the Creator separated the 7th day of the week from all other days forever, as a special day (Genesis 2:1-3)
And he commanded:
“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Work for six days and do all your work. But the seventh day, the Sabbath of the Lord your God, you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your maidservant, nor your livestock, nor the stranger who is within your gates. For in six days the Lord created the heavens, the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day; therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and sanctified it” - Shemot 20:8-11; 31:13-17 (Exodus)
So, already at the beginning Torah Shabbat defined as the culmination of creation.
If, as the famous Jewish sage says, Maharal from Prague, the six days of creation symbolize Creation physical world , which has three dimensions and six directions of space, then seventh day corresponds to the spiritual dimension, space of thought and space of consciousness.
And from here everything that exists takes on a special meaning, a spiritual purpose!
Poetic lines Torah talks about how the Creator, Who created the world without any effort, needed as if to distance oneself from the work of creation to contemplate his spiritual purpose.
Thereby was brought into the world holiness and blessing.
In other words, the seventh day of the week revealed the special purpose of man in this world: he must constantly remind himself why he was sent to this world, for what purpose he was born. And this goal is to be in peace blessing.
Let's draw our first conclusion :
Jews believe that the Universe was created by G-d, and they celebrate the creation of the Universe and thank the Creator for it once a week. Shabbat is the culmination of creation.It brings holiness to the world and gives spiritual understanding of the purpose of human life.This is the first, cosmic, universal and human meaning establishment by the Almighty Shabbat .
Conclusion two, practical
:Jewish “proportion” and the peoples of the world
For high spirituality Shabbat practical and extremely important Jewish rhythm is revealed human activity: six days of work- one day of rest. Today this Jewish proportion accepted by all civilized peoples and became an immutable law of work and rest in many countries.
Shabbat in a Jewish home. Ceremony of welcoming the Queen Saturday
For three thousand years Jews have observed Shabbat. This word comes from " lishbot"(Hebrew), which means “cessation of activity,” “day of rest.” Not idleness, but peace from the bustle of everyday life. It’s such a peace, as if you have everything, and that means you don’t need to rush anywhere.. Shabbat The Jewish week ends. The seventh day is sanctified and highlighted by changes in clothing, in food, in what we do, and in the way we pray to the Creator.
For a long time, Jews saved the most elegant clothes and the most delicious food for this day. The last poor man had Shabbat candles, wine, challah, meat and fish. If he had no money at all, everything necessary for Shabbat they gave it to him in the synagogue.
Shabbat in every Jewish home: everything breathes peace and joy, a wonderful feeling of how good it is to be a Jew. A God-fearing Jew does not travel anywhere on the Sabbath, does not cook food, does not use electrical appliances, does not spend money, does not smoke or write. On this day he is indifferent to the achievements of technology. The radio is silent, the TV screen has gone dark.
Sports games, circus, theatrical performances, highways are not for him.
Beginning of the ceremony
Meeting Saturday ( kabbalat sabbath) occurs according to Jewish tradition the night before yom shishi(on Friday) at Erev Shabbat. The ceremony begins blessing of light and wine. Light and wine are the keys to this day. The housewife lights the candles no later than 18 minutes before sunset and says traditional blessing:
Baruch Ata Adonai, Eloheinu, Melech Haolam, asher kidshanu bemitsvotav vetzianu letadlik ner shel Shabbat! – « Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe, who sanctified us with Your commandments and commanded us to light the Shabbat candles!”
Two candles symbolize the Sabbath commandments – « shmor vezahor». Shmor- protect, fulfill, observe ( Dvarim.5:12); " Zahor"- remember ( Shmot.20:8). The Almighty commanded the Jews to always remember the commandment of the Sabbath. By keeping the Sabbath holy we show our love for Him. Meeting Shabbat begins with thanksgiving and glorification of the Almighty. Usually they read Psalms 92, 94-98, 28, and sing Shabbat songs: “ Lekha Dodi», « Shalom Aleichem" and others. Then parents bless their children – Birkat Habanim (Bereshit.48:20,Bemidbar.6:24-26). The father puts his hands on the child's head and says blessing: for boys – « Yesimha Elohim keEfraim ve keMenashe"-" May God make you like Ephraim and Menasha"; And for girls– « Yesimech Elohim KeSara, Rivkah, Rachel beLeah” - “May God make you like Sarah, Rivkah, Rachel and Leah.”
These simple and familiar words to children are filled with warmth and holiness..
After this, the husband sings to his wife a hymn in praise of a worthy woman Eshet hail - from the book of Shlomo Tehilim(chapter 31, verses 10-31), in which the man pays tribute to the lady of the house.
It's time for the Shabbat table!
The time is coming festive meal. Pronounced blessing over grape wine or juice, which symbolizes the joy of God's gift: Baruch Ata, Adonai, Eloheinu, Melech Haolam, boreh pri Hahafen – “ Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe, Who created the fruit of the vine" - ( Tehilim.103:15):
Two challahs on the Shabbat table- This is a reminder that on the eve of the Sabbath, God gave our ancestors in the desert twice as much manna as on weekdays. The challah is covered with a white napkin, as a symbol of manna covered with morning dew. Two challahs tell us about loyalty to the Creator. Pronounced blessing over bread: Baruch Ata, Adonai, Eloheinu, Melech Haolam, Hamotzi Lechem min Haaretz –“Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe, Who brought forth bread from the earth.” Now halu divided among everyone sitting at the table. During the meal, all guests and hosts enjoy communication and discuss topics from the weekly chapter Torah, sing zmirot- Saturday songs. The atmosphere of love and joy reigns - Oneg Shabbat: the enjoyment of peace for those who had been preparing for the coming of the Sabbath during the week.
After the meal it sounds Birkat -aMason- thanksgiving for food ( Dvarim 8:10).
In a closed world... of love and happiness?!
Jewish Shabbat- this is not a simple ritual, and if a person wants to perform it religiously and effectively, Shabbat puts a lot of pressure on him strict requirements. A Jew who keeps the Sabbath from sunset on yom shishi and until Saturday twilight, lives, as it may seem, in my own closed world. But this world can be very pleasant for him.
Conclusion three: Shabbat is a strict ritual and a wonderful family holiday.
He takes central place in the life of a Jew. On weekdays there is a lot of fuss, but on Saturday the family is always together, and the children know very well what it is their day. It's both mom and dad's day. The phone doesn't ring. You can read, walk, or just watch nature together. Shabbat -oasis of calm And love: when the Creator fills the entire space of the House with His love, when love manifests itself in the relationship between husband and wife, parents and children. An observant Jew does not need any talk about any important purpose for which he should observe laws of the Sabbath: the laws themselves are this important purpose .
“Shabbat for a believing Jew - This the axis of his existence, the source of his strength, vigor and pride”(Herman Wouk).
It is no coincidence that it is with the observance of the Sabbath that the return to Judaism of many assimilated Jews begins. Many perceive limitations Shabbat like an unbearable burden, but for the one who has submitted to these restrictions, they become a solemn, joyful ceremony that has entered into his flesh and blood.
Shabbat - this is not just a day off.
Main result Shabbat- This shlombyte, peace in the Jewish home, joy and high spirits.
39 types of prohibited work. Avodah and melacha
There are two different words in Hebrew for work: avoda And melacha. Avodah- same root as the word eved, "slave". A melacha- with the word malach, "angel". At first glance, these words mean almost the same thing, but the meaning of the roots makes it clear that they differ. Avodah
denotes simple physical work, simple physical labor.Melacha
means creation, the creation of something new. It is prohibited on Saturdaymelacha
, but notavoda
.
That's why Shabbat- This is not a simple cessation of work. Observe Shabbat completely means to refrain from any actions if they lead to any changes, innovations, or improvements.
The sages described 39 species prohibited work (Mlahot) in accordance with the types of work that were necessary during construction Mishkan - portable Temple and everything that was in it: these types are listed in the second book of the Torah - Shmot, in chapters 25-28, 30-31, 35-40.
The sages teach us that Mishkan is a spiritual prototype of the whole world. And that is why the types of work that were performed during its construction are prohibited on Saturday. Read more about this.
This tradition dates back to the era of Moshe. And the types of prohibited labor relate to the main human activities: cooking, sewing clothes, building houses, producing goods and trading. Analysis bans on thirty-nine types of work described in detail in a separate treatise of the Talmud Shabbat(chapter Moed).
If faith in one G-d is the first in Judaism, then the second is its robust meaning. Therefore everything restrictions Shabbat canceled in exceptional circumstances- illness or the need to save a person.
Shabbat and Temple
Jewish history went like this that Shabbat, How shrine of time, turned out to be more durable than spatial shrine - Temple in Jerusalem. Many centuries ago, God's House was destroyed. But there's still no atmosphere anywhere Shabbat just like she lives in the eternal city. In Jerusalem, by Saturday everything comes to a standstill, shops and shopping centers close, traffic on the streets subsides. People are in a hurry to finish their business and rush home. Women prepare the Shabbat meal and prepare it for the table; men go to synagogues. Traditional Shabbat candles are lit. Shabbat enters the city! He is greeted by the towers of the Old City and the Temple Mount.
Shabbat in Jerusalem has always been and remains the path to the sanctification of life.
If within six days a person forgets the source of his strength, then Shabbat reminds him of his Creator. It is impossible to imagine something else, more important and powerful, that would be more enriching. the world, how Shabbat in all its aspects. Shabbat proved the power of its influence on the Jewish people over many centuries.
Israel preserves the Shabbat much more than Israel preserves the Shabbat (Rabbi of Gur, Sfat emet)
Shabbat and Exodus from Egypt. National meaning of the holiday
Shabbat
is the only symbol of Judaism that appears in the Ten Commandments. It is formulated in the Pentateuch twice
: in the book Shmot(Exodus) and in the book Dvarim(Deuteronomy). In the book Dvarim(Deuteronomy) to the already known law that we read in the book Shmot, new instruction added:
“You shall keep the Sabbath day, to keep it holy, as the LORD your God has commanded you. Work for six days and do all your work. Now the seventh day, the Sabbath of the Lord your God, you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your maidservant, nor your ox, nor your donkey, nor any of your livestock. , nor your stranger who is within your gates, so that your male and female servant may rest as you do. And remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, but the LORD your God brought you out from there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm; therefore the LORD your God commanded you to establish the Sabbath day.” – Dvarim.5:12-15.
Every nation celebrates its national holiday, the day of its emergence as a nation, cessation of work and ceremonies. Shabbat is a Jewish national holiday, the day on which the Jews commemorate their emergence as a nation during the Exodus from Egypt.
Jews honor not only G‑d the Creator and Creator of the Universe, but also G‑d who cares for his creatures. From here we understand the significance of the Exodus of the Jews from Egyptian slavery for the fulfillment of the commandment Shabbat. Slaves do not have the right to decide when to work and when to rest; they are completely subject to the will of their masters and do not own either the results of their labor or time. Slaves not masters of time. Freedom is, first of all, the ability to manage your time.
Final conclusion:
Shabbat for Israel has special meaning, for Israel became a people on the path from slavery to freedom. This double meaning permeates the Jewish religion: grateful worship of the Almighty and celebration of Israel's special destiny as a witness to the works of God in human history.
Shabbat - this is a constant reminder to man of the creation of the world and the emergence of the people of Israel. And this is its meaning.
This is a strict ritual and a wonderful family holiday.
Whoever observes the Sabbath constantly remembers the creation of the world by the Creator, the Exodus from Egypt and the identity of the Jewish people.
Shabbat will forever remain the most important Jewish heritage common to the entire Jewish people.
Why don't Jews work on Saturdays? and got the best answer
Answer from Ђig[guru]
They are already closed on Friday. For this there are Russians, Tajiks, Vzbeks, etc.
Answer from 444 444
[newbie]
Muslims on Fridays, Jews on Saturdays, and Russians on Saturdays and Sundays - just migrant workers every day.
Answer from Pasikhat Shakhaidova[expert]
Well, Muslims don't work on Fridays
Answer from Petr kurow[guru]
This is written in the Old Testament. First 5 books Old Testament this is the Jewish Torah. The book of Genesis describes how God created the world. He worked for 6 days, and on the seventh he rested AND COMMANDED ALL BELIEVERS ON THIS DAY NOT TO WORK, BUT TO REST, LIKE HE, BUT THE CHRISTIANS CHANGED THIS FOR SUNDAY, AND THE MUSLIMS FOR FRIDAY.
Answer from Yergey Pasechny[guru]
So Russians don’t work from Monday to Monday.
Answer from Denis Korolkov[guru]
Yes, Shabbat is not a working day. I don’t remember the exact story, but there is a basis behind it. Hence the name Saturday: Shabbat.
Answer from Ildar Shamsetdinov[guru]
Maybe the law or religion doesn’t allow it!
Answer from Valery Popovich[guru]
God worked 6 days and rested on Saturday
Answer from Yergey Sergeev[guru]
They don't work on other days either! Basically imitating work!
Answer from Crown Kronin[guru]
I don’t work either and that I’m Jewish?? ? basically, I don’t work at all, am I a fierce Jew?!?!))))))
Answer from Little tiger[guru]
because they are JEWS
Answer from Leech Medicinal[guru]
The Talmud prohibits.
Answer from A wonderful acquaintance[guru]
According to their religion, they are not supposed to work on Saturdays.
Answer from Insane Panda[guru]
According to their religion, they cannot work on this day.
Answer from Lapot man[guru]
For the commandment says
Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy. Work six days and do all your work; and the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God: on it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your maidservant, nor your livestock, nor the stranger who is within your gates. For in six days the Lord created heaven and earth, the sea and everything in them; and on the seventh day he rested. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and sanctified it.
Jews have a weekly holiday that is celebrated every Friday at sunset. It is called “Shabbat Shalom”, which means “Hello Saturday”. Every Jew reveres the sixth day of the week, which reminds him of his spiritual purpose in life. Let's find out Shabbat - what kind of holiday it is and how it is celebrated in Israel.
"Peaceful Saturday"
Shabbat shalom is a festive Friday dinner celebrating the Sabbath. Why is this particular day of the week considered holy for Jews? Because it is one of the foundations of the unity of the Jewish people. This holy day reminds the Jews that they were once slaves in Egypt. But later the Almighty brought the people out from there so that they could receive the Torah at Sinai. The Sabbath is a symbol of the Jews emerging from physical slavery and gaining spiritual freedom. The celebration of the Sabbath is also a direct fulfillment by the Jews of the 4th God's commandment: « Remember Saturday evening to make it holy. Work 6 days, and devote the 7th day to your Almighty...» For a religious Jew, the “Day of Rest” - Shabbat - is very important. What kind of holiday is this for Israel? We can say that Israel “stands” on Shabbat. Clinics in the country are closed on Saturdays. government agencies and most shops. Public transport does not operate on the streets of Israel from 15.00 (winter) and 16.00 (summer) every Friday. People can only get to the place by taxi, which operate at increased (Saturday) rates.
Jewish Sabbath, the seventh day of the week, a day of rest and joy dedicated to the Lord (Exodus 16:23).
The holiness of the seventh day was revealed to Israel during their wanderings in the desert after the exodus from Egypt. According to the Bible, in response to the murmuring of the hungry Israelites, God gave them manna; at the same time, He commanded that every day the Israelites prepare a daily portion, and on the sixth day - a double portion, so that there would be enough for the seventh day, on which manna would not be sent down; and Moses declared to the people that the seventh day was “the holy Sabbath of the Lord” (Ex. 16:4–30).
“Say to the children of Israel this: You shall keep My Sabbaths, for this is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I am the Lord who sanctifies you; and keep the Sabbath, for it is holy to you: whoever defiles it shall be put to death; whoever begins to do business in it, that soul must be destroyed from among his people; For six days let them do work, and on the seventh a Sabbath of rest, dedicated to the Lord: whoever does work on the Sabbath day shall be put to death; and let the children of Israel keep the Sabbath, keeping the Sabbath throughout their generations, as an everlasting covenant; This is a sign between Me and the children of Israel forever, because in six days the Lord created the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day He rested and was refreshed” (Ex. 31:13-15)
“This is a sign between Me and the children of Israel forever, because in six days the Lord created heaven and earth, and on the seventh day He rested and was refreshed.” (Exodus 31:17) The Jewish Sabbath prayers say: “Neither did You give the Sabbath to the nations of the world, nor did You give it to the idolaters, but only to Israel, Your people whom You have chosen.”
Initially, the day of rest was considered the period of time from sunset on Friday to sunset on Saturday, but subsequently the custom spread in the Christian world to dedicate the next day, Sunday, to “Sabbath rest.”
IN biblical times The term "Sabbath" meant:
- a day of rest established by God (Lev 16:31),
- a full week (Lev 23:15),
- and the seventh year (Lev 25:4).
The observance of the Sabbath was an exclusively Hebrew custom that developed during the Jews’ wanderings in the desert, as a sign of obedience and submission to God, who freed the Jews from Egyptian slavery, brought them closer to himself and made chosen people. In the tabernacle of the covenant, and subsequently in the Temple in Jerusalem, the Sabbath ritual was accompanied by the sacrifice of two lambs in addition to the daily morning burnt offering and evening sacrifice (Num. 28:9), the renewal of showbread (Lev. 24:8), and the calling of a “holy assembly.” people (Lev. 23:2).
In later synagogue service practice, this day was distinguished from other days of the week special prayers. Along with ritual regulations, prohibitions are also associated with the Sabbath (for example, against all slave labor). Of the prohibited works, only a few are mentioned - collecting firewood, lighting a fire, plowing, sowing, trading. Since the 2nd century. BC. These prohibitions received increasing attention, and the rabbis compiled a list of 39 main types of work, which included numerous other actions prohibited on the Sabbath. This “installation of a fence around the Torah” was intended to protect workers from exploitation, since it clarified what actions could not be required of a worker, and at the same time clarified what actions were permitted and even obligatory (for example, rescuing a sick person). In the Middle Ages, when some Jews were forcibly converted to Christianity, non-observance of the Sabbath was considered by the Inquisition as one of the most convincing proofs of the sincerity of newly baptized Christians. However, the forcibly converted Jews of Spain and Portugal, especially women, resorted to all sorts of tricks to avoid violating the Sabbath regulations. The lighting of Shabbat candles was done in such a way that Christian neighbors could not notice it: instead of lighting special candles, new wicks were inserted into ordinary candles. On Saturday they put on clean clothes; women refrained from weaving and spinning, and if they visited a Christian neighbor, they pretended to work; men went out into the fields, but did not work there; traders left their children in the shops in their place.
Shabbat laws in Judaism
Saturday is a holiday for Jews, and on this day it is prescribed to eat three times. It is recommended that the master of the house participate in the preparations for Shabbat, even if he has servants who could make all the preparations. In honor of Shabbat, one should wear special clothes, walk and even speak differently than on weekdays.
Shabbat meeting
Celebrating Shabbat is a tradition rooted in the deep past. Its integral attributes are a table covered with a tablecloth, two lit candles, challah (traditional bread in the shape of a braid), and kosher wine.
Lighting candles
Shabbat, according to Jewish tradition, begins at sunset on Friday. However, 18 minutes before sunset, a woman (usually the wife of the head of the family) must light at least two Shabbat candles, of which one corresponds to the verse “remember the Sabbath day” (Ex. 20:8), and the other - “keep the Sabbath day” (Deut. 5:12).
When lighting the candles, the following blessing is said:
“Blessed are You, Lord our God, Master of the Universe, Who sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us to light the Shabbat candles.”
After the candles are lit, it is customary to greet each other with the words “Shabbat Shalom!” From the moment of taking Shabbat (for women when lighting candles, for men no later than sunset) and until the end of Shabbat, 39 categories of “labor” cannot be performed, including lighting and extinguishing fire.
Prayers
After lighting the candles, men go to the synagogue for the Minchah, Shabbat and Maariv prayers.
After returning home from synagogue on Friday evening (or after praying at home), the family gathers at the Shabbat table to sing the traditional hymn “Shalom Aleichem.”
It is customary that after this the father blesses the children. This ceremony emphasizes his role as a spiritual guide. A child who comes to his father every week for a blessing learns to respect him. The father places both hands on the child’s head (when there are two children, he places a hand on each head) and, if it is a son(s), says : “May God make you like Ephraim and Menasha!” To his daughter(s) he says: “May God make you like Sarah, Rivka, Rachel and Leah!” Then he continues: “May the Lord bless you and protect you, and may the Lord be gracious to you and have mercy on you. The Lord will favor you and send you peace!”
Consecration of the day
The consecration of the day is pronounced over a glass of wine or grape juice (kiddush). The head of the family pronounces the blessing:
“And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day. And the heavens and the earth were completed with all their host. And G-d finished on the seventh day His work in which He was engaged, and on the seventh day He did not do any of the work in which He was busy, and He blessed G-d day the seventh, and consecrated it, for on that day He did not perform any of His work, which He had done before, and which He intended to do after that. Hearken, my Lords and teachers!
BLESSED ARE YOU, O LORD OUR GOD, LORD OF THE UNIVERSE, WHO CREATED THE FRUIT OF THE GRAPE VINE!
BLESSED ARE YOU, O LORD OUR GOD, LORD OF THE UNIVERSE, WHO HAS SANCTED US WITH YOUR COMMANDMENTS AND HAS BEEN BLESSED TO US. AND WHO GAVE US AS AN INHERITANCE, BY LOVE AND FAVOR, HIS HOLY SATURDAY IN MEMORY
ABOUT THE CREATION OF THE WORLD, THE FIRST OF THE HOLY HOLIDAYS, REMINDING
ABOUT THE EXIT FROM EGYPT, FOR YOU CHOSEN US AND SANCTIFYED US AMONG ALL THE NATIONS. AND HIS HOLY SATURDAY, BY LOVE AND BENEFITS, GAVE US AN INHERITANCE. BLESSED ARE YOU, O LORD, WHO SANCTIFIES THE SABBATH!”
Kiddush is performed by one person on behalf of all those present, but everyone, if they want, can do it for themselves.
When reciting the blessing over the wine, the challah should remain covered.
At the end of Kiddush, everyone present responds with “Amen.” The head of the family takes a sip of wine and pours from his goblet for everyone else. They should not, however, pronounce the blessing on the wine themselves.
Hand washing
After the consecration of the day, the washing of hands follows. Each participant in the Shabbat meal must alternately rinse his right and left hand (hand) three times. Then you should wipe your hands while saying:
“Blessed are you, Lord our God, Ruler of the Universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us to wash our hands!”
meal
On the Shabbat table there should be two challahs covered with a special napkin - in memory of the two daily norms of manna from heaven, which after the Exodus God allowed the Jews to collect on the eve of Shabbat.
The head of the family takes off the napkin, makes a mark on the challah with a knife, then places both hands on the challah and says:
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“Blessed are you, Lord our God, Ruler of the Universe, Who brings forth bread from the earth.”
Having said the blessing, the head of the family cuts the challah where he made the mark, dips it in salt and eats it. Then he cuts the challah further and distributes the cut pieces to the rest of the meal. Next comes the meal itself, which, if possible, should consist of tasty, varied and plentiful food. No to this strict rules, and each community has its own cuisine.
End of Shabbat
At the end of the Sabbath, at the evening meal, a special prayer is said over a cup of wine - havdalah. The word "havdalah" literally means "separation" or "division" in Hebrew. This is precisely the meaning of the short, but beautiful with its rituals and symbolism, the service of the end of Shabbat. Havdalah is what separates Shabbat from other days, separating the sacred from the everyday.
By ancient tradition Havdalah begins the moment darkness falls and at least three stars become visible. With the onset of such darkness, the Havdalah candle is lit. This candle is special, wicker and with several wicks. The candle burns brightly, like a torch, illuminating the entire room. Looking at the flame of a candle, we remember the words written in the book of Tehilim - Psalm 19: 9 “The commandments of the Lord are righteous, they make glad the heart; The commandment of the Lord is bright, it enlightens the eyes.” The Havdalah candle reminds us that it was on the first day of the week, which begins now, that God created light. Along with the light, darkness was also created.
After the candle has been lit, a glass of kiddush is raised, a passage from the book of the prophet Isaiah is read, and a prayer of blessing the grape fruit is said. The glass is overfilled on purpose, because a full glass is a symbol of joy, and as a sign of excessive joy, wine is spilled over the edge onto the saucer under the glass. The fruit of the vine recalls the past, how in the ancient times of the temple gifts and outpourings were offered to God on His altar. The fruit of the grape also reminds us of the blood sacrifices that were made for the sins of people. Not forgetting that the source of salvation and redemption is God himself, read an excerpt from the book of Isaiah:
“Behold, God is my salvation: I trust in Him and do not fear; for the Lord is my strength, and my song is the Lord; and He was my salvation. And with joy you will draw water from the fountains of salvation" (Yeshayahu - Isaiah 12)
A box with fragrant spices inside is passed around the room. The aroma of spices also reminds ancient temple. After all, it was inside, in the holy monastery, that there was an altar of incense, on which aromatic herbs were burned. The smoke from the incense rose upward, symbolizing the prayers of Israel directed to the Almighty.
A glass is raised and a prayer of separation is said.
Blessed are You, Lord our God, Ruler of the universe, who separates between the holy and the ordinary, between light and darkness, between the seventh day and the six days of creation. Blessed are You, Lord, who separates between the holy and the ordinary.
After saying this prayer, the glass is drunk and the candle is extinguished in the wine spilled on the saucer. Thus, the Havdal ceremony ends and, according to tradition, everyone sits down to dinner. Songs are sung at the table, passages from the Tanakh and stories are remembered, which are then discussed among friends and relatives.
Jews believe that Shabbat is not only an “eternal union” between God and His people, but also a universal phenomenon: it serves as a guarantee of a better world. The teachers of the Talmudic era eloquently describe the meaning of the Sabbath: “If Israel keeps one thing - the Sabbath properly, the Messiah will not be slow to come.”
Christians(with the exception of the Sabbatarians) believe that the laws of the Sabbath, together with the other commandments of the Law of Moses, were abolished by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on Calvary, and the Sabbath remains only a spiritually understood duty of the Christian to devote himself and his time to serving God. At the same time, creed Orthodox Church makes a distinction between Shabbat (Saturday) and God's day (Sunday). Roman Catholic Church practically identifies the Old Testament Saturday and Sunday, and this tradition is followed by many Protestants, who consider Sunday to be the New Testament Sabbath.
For those who consider themselves "yehudim meshichim" (Messianic Jews) the meaning and ritual of Havdalah are, of course, inseparable from the person of the Messiah Yeshua. Read all the objects used in this ritual, and the traditions accept the symbolism associated with the Messiah and His life. For those who believe, the deeper meaning of Havdalah is revealed and they begin to see not just superficially, but deeper, gaining a more personal and profound understanding of God.
The candle flame recalls the famous words of the Messiah - "...I am the light of the world; whoever follows Me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." (Yochanan 8:12) Putting out the candle in wine symbolizes His death. The wine itself reminds us of the blood of Yeshua, shed for the sins of people. The aromatic spices remind us that Yeshua was actually dead, and was embalmed and then buried. I remember that Yeshua did not remain in the grave, but shone again on the third day, resurrected and then ascended, promising us to return to the moment of the most difficult trials of his people. Thus, even the ritual objects of Havdalah strengthen faith in the Messiah Yeshua and inspire a life dedicated to God.
The Sabbath is seen as a sign of the covenant between God and Israel
Stirlitz entered the room and heard Muller’s voice: “Stirlitz, don’t turn on the light.” “Shabbat,” thought Stirlitz.
What kind of Shabbat is this?? Why do Jews treat it so strictly that they even have to hire Arabs to turn on the lights in the house, elevators in high-rise buildings have no buttons and stop at each floor, and thieves can easily enter an unlocked Jewish house?
Early Saturday morning is the quietest time in Israel: there are no people, no cars, and it seems that even the air freezes...
Friday in this country differs from all other Fridays in the world in that it is inevitably followed by Shabbat. Suddenly, overnight, the city becomes quiet and empty, turning the page of the past week, and now everything starts from scratch...
Shabbat for a Jew is one of the ten main commandments received by Moses on Mount Sinai, which must be followed. God created the world in six days. And only on the seventh I decided that I deserved a rest. “Took a break” or “stopped” - this is how the word “Sabbath” is translated. And since Jews believe that the creation of the world began on Sunday, it turns out that the seventh day is a day of stopping, a respite - this is Saturday.
The Jewish Sabbath existed even in Ancient Egypt, some historians say. The Jews who were enslaved in Egypt were given permission to rest on the Sabbath thanks to Moses. He grew up in the family of the pharaoh and for many years observed the grueling work of his brothers. He felt sorry for them, and he turned to Pharaoh with a request to give the slaves a day of rest a week. Pharaoh agreed. Therefore, Shabbat reminds Jews not only of the 4th commandment of the Most High, but also of the exodus from Egyptian slavery.
Shabbat begins with the appearance of three stars in the sky (specially calculated and printed in calendars, newspapers, its time is recalled in all television news) on Friday evening until the same moment on Saturday evening. Moreover, if you break down the week by day, then for Jews it looks like this: Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Shabbat, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday.
Shabbat is celebrated with a Shabbat meal. A woman lights candles, her husband reads kiddush - a blessing - on Shabbat, Shabbat wine (similar to Cahors) is poured or grape juice, challah - special Shabbat bread - is broken. The whole family sits around the table and celebrates Shabbat - they communicate, eat, sing songs.
In Israel, a woman is called the “light of the house.” She has an important role in preparing for Shabbat. On Friday morning, she begins preparing challah and various dishes for the table. At the same time, he tries every prepared dish. But she must do this correctly: not spit out the food, but swallow the food, saying Brahi. The festive table must be covered with a tablecloth until the end of the holiday (preferably white). Before Shabbat, every man and every woman takes a bath or shower. If there is little time left before the holiday, then only washing your hands and face with water is allowed.
Candles, and there are usually two of them, should be lit no later than 18 minutes before sunset. They cannot be moved from place to place.
Household members and guests should sit down at the table in a good mood, forgetting about the problems of everyday life and anxiety. The meal should consist of the best food: fish, meat and various delicacies. Two challahs are always served on the table in memory of heavenly manna, which the Almighty gave to the Jews when they returned from Egypt through the desert. On that day, God gave people twice as much heavenly bread. It is believed that during Shabbat an atmosphere of joy and peace should reign in the house.
About prohibitions. Not all activities that are prohibited on Shabbat are considered work in our country. For example, write (although you can read, but only religious literature) or hanging laundry, turning on/off the light, or tying shoelaces. On Saturday, God completed the creation of the world, so any constructive or creative work is prohibited. That is, labor with the help of which something is created or changed.
For religious Jews Shabbat is a sacred holiday dedicated to God, family and friends.
But even those who do not follow all the traditions are happy to buy or bake challah, light candles, pour grape juice into glasses, and remember the good things that happened during the week.
On Shabbat you are not allowed to cook; even heating food is prohibited. But the Saturday festive table - an important part traditions! So Jewish housewives have to work in advance, on Thursday and Friday. So they run to shops and markets in search of provisions for the coming days - with bags, backpacks, suitcases, carts... Read about this in the next part of the story about Shabbat Israel.
An elderly lady in a hat, a complicated dress and heels says to her friend: “I love them all very much, I really adore them, Lenechka, and Monya, and Anya, and Mishenka with her family, and Borya, they are so beautiful, but every Shabbat we have to cover table for twenty people! I want to lie down and die under this table!”
The Torah describes 39 activities that are prohibited to Jews on the Sabbath, but now this list can hardly be called relevant. Modern rules boil down to five ideas: it is forbidden to work; turn electrical appliances on and off; travel in anything (buses, cars, planes, etc.); prepare food in any way (you can eat food); You can’t start the car’s engine, but if someone else starts it, you can drive; You can’t turn on the lights, but you can hire Arabs to do it instead. Maybe here lies the secret that you can almost always find Arabs next to Jews, and not only in Israel. And by the way, you can't smoke! In general, the topic of prohibited and permitted actions is very broad; there are a lot of nuances; on Jewish forums, rabbis analyze and explain in detail every situation that arises. You can also find life hacks online from Jews who observe Shabbat but live in secular states. For example, waiting near the entrance door until someone doesn’t dial the lock code or turning on the fool when you need to sign on a document.
- Shall we go to the sea?
“No one goes to the sea on Shabbat,” they answer you and twirl their finger at your temple.
- Why? - you ask.
— Because on Shabbat there is no crowd at sea.
By Saturday evening the city comes to life - all the tables in the cafe are occupied, rested citizens are walking along the embankment.
Shabbat is not only celebrated, but also seen off. The ceremony is called “Havdalah” from the word “to separate” - you need to separate the holy day from the work week that lies ahead. Everyone says “Goodbye” to the Holy Saturday and returns to everyday worries.
As soon as the sun sets on Friday, the greeting in Israel changes. From this moment until Saturday night, it is customary to say “Shabbat Shalom” when meeting. As soon as Shabbat ends, another greeting is used: “Shavua tov,” which translates as “Have a good week.”
Shabbat is gone, but... it always comes back. Jews say that "Peaceful Saturday" is a majestic holiday that Israel can be proud of. “More than the Jews kept the Sabbath, the Sabbath kept the Jews.”
Travelers and Shabbat.
Arriving on Friday evening means that you will have to take a taxi from the airport, because... public transport does not work. In addition, on Shabbat there are increased tariffs for taxi trips +25%.
Some hotels have special elevators that don't require pressing buttons. They travel automatically between floors, stopping at each.
On Shabbat, public transport does not operate, railway traffic stops completely, and bus lines are closed, with some exceptions.
There are streets where traffic is completely prohibited on Saturday. Some cities in Israel even have special roadside electronic signs counting down the time until the start of Shabbat.
Shops: in places of entertainment and tourist places they close only on Friday from 16-00; on Saturday morning everything is usually open.
Many attractions are closed and there are no rules. For example, the Western Wall is open on Shabbat and the area around it is crowded.
All emergency services(police, fire, etc.) and medical institutions operate in a special mode on Saturday. Here the Jews are guided by the commandment - in order to save a person’s life, all other commandments are canceled.
Materials used in preparing this post
Virgo
