Welcoming Shabbat!

I was a special guest at the Shiffers, close neighbours from a previous apartment building in Double Bay, Bibaringa, last night for the Jewish evening home ritual to ‘welcome the Shabbat’.

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fter working hard for six days, following God, we welcome the seventh day for rest.

What’s happened to that ‘day of rest’ in this modern world?

After being initiated in this Jewish of Jewish traditions by a Jewish Jesuit in Jerusalem last week, and visiting the synagogue for the evening service, there was even greater significance in being part of this ritual in a Jewish home here in Sydney. While at the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem, I picked up two yarmulkes, the Jewish skull caps, and brought them back for Sidney and me to wear on this occasion.

While at the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem, I picked up two yarmulkes, the Jewish skull caps, and brought them back for Sidney and me. (Click to enlarge)

As I mentioned in my recent blog, it’s hard to believe that it’s taken 71 years of my otherwise ‘worldly’ pursuits before participating in this special Jewish tradition. I can’t blame my education, and disregard of other Faith traditions solely on ‘blinkered’ Irish nuns – they were out of my life more than half a century ago.

But better late than never!

Sidney has removed the cover from the two challah loaves, lifting them while reciting the following blessing. Pearl slices and Nannette and passes around the table, so that each person may have a piece.  Let the party begin! Chicken liver and brisket

Oy vay!  My sister-in-law, Jenny loves the matching cuffs, collar and skull cap.

onverted to the importance and solemnity of this age-old tradition, for my gentile friends, I now share what happens in this weekly ritual.

BLESSING OVER THE CANDLES

Barukh atah Adonai, Eloheinu, melekh ha’olam
Blessed are you, Lord, our God, sovereign of the universe

asher kidishanu b’mitz’votav v’tzivanu
Who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us

l’had’lik neir shel Shabbat. (Amein)
to light the lights of Shabbat. (Amen)

KIDDUSH

Kiddush is recited while holding a cup of wine or other liquid, no less than 3.3 ounces.

Vay’hi erev vay’hi voker yom hashishi
And there was evening and there was morning, a sixth day

vay’khulu hashamayim v’ha’aretz v’khol tz’va’am
The heavens and the earth were finished, the whole host of them

vay’khal elohim bayom hash’vi’i m’la’kh’to asher asah
And on the seventh day God completed his work that he had done

vayish’bot bayom hash’vi’i mikol m’la’kh’to asher asah
and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done

Vay’varekh Elohim et yom hash’vi’i vay’kadeish oto
And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it

ki vo shavat mikol m’la’kh’to asher bara Elohim la’asot
because in it he had rested from all his work that God had created to do

Barukh atah Adonai, Eloheinu, melekh ha-olam
Blessed are you, Lord, our God, sovereign of the universe

borei p’ri hagafen (Amein)
Who creates the fruit of the vine (Amen)

HA-MOTZI

Immediately after washing hands and before eating, the head of the household should remove the cover from the two challah loaves, lifting them while reciting the following blessing. The challah is then ripped into pieces or sliced and passed around the table, so that each person may have a piece. The family meal may then begin.

Barukh atah Adonai, Eloheinu, melekh ha-olam
Blessed are You, Lord, our God, King of the Universe

hamotzi lechem min ha’aretz. (Amein).
who brings forth bread from the earth. (Amen)

Dinner as guest of Fr David at the St James Vicariate in Jerusalem