Category: Shabbat

How to Light Shabbat Candles: A Beginner’s Guide

Lighting Shabbat candles is one of our most beautiful traditions. Go grab your candles, here's how to light Shabbat candles step by step.

Tsvia Weisberger December 15, 2024 Erev Shabbat Holidays

Why Are There Two Challot on Shabbat?

It is custom to have two challot at the Shabbat meal. Where does this tradition come from? Here are a few answers to that question.

Daniela Rusowsky December 11, 2024 Erev Shabbat Holidays

What to expect when going to a B-Mitzvah?

A B-Mitzvah is the Jewish celebration and ritual of coming of age, and it is celebrated at about the age of 13. Here's what you ...

Tsvia Weisberger November 29, 2024 B-Mitzvah Lifecycles

What do I wear to a Shabbat service?

Simply, something appropriate for a religious service. But, getting to know the community will help you understand what feels right.

Joshua Klein November 7, 2024 Clothing Holidays

All Flesh Is Grass: Shabbat Nachamu

Shabbat Nachamu reminds us to ask: how do we find comfort, and how do we comfort others? We can learn this from nature.

Rabbi Dr. J.B. Sacks August 8, 2024 Holidays Shabbat

Shabbat for Jewish Pets and Their Owners

Here are a few tips to celebrate Shabbat for Jewish pets and their owners and how to enhance your family's Shabbat experience.

Rabbi Alex Hamilton June 19, 2024 Animals Daily Living

A Whoop and Two Challahs: Doubling Our Loaves on Shabbat

A whoop and two challahs! Learn why doubling our loaves on Shabbat is important and how to observe this mitzvah.

Rabbi Adam J. Rosenbaum April 5, 2024 Blessings Erev Shabbat

Birkat Yeladim: Blessing Children

Read more on how to preform Birkat Yeladim, the blessing over our children, and where the blessing and practice come from.

Reena Bromberg Gaber January 31, 2024 Blessings Erev Shabbat

Why We Cover Challah at the Shabbat Table

Why we cover Challah at the Shabbat table can be found when we learn about manna and the seven species of Israel.

Hazzan Sara Geffen Geller January 30, 2024 Erev Shabbat Holidays

Confessions of a Fussy Kiddush Nosher

Though Kiddush in synagogue is a great for connecting with community, food options can be challenging and a limiting factor for picky eaters.

Rabbi Adam J. Rosenbaum January 30, 2024 Food Holidays

Shirat Hayam: They’re playing our song!

Shirat Hayam connects us to a collective memory and is the proof-text that enlarges, extends, and authenticates the meaning of the prayer.

Cantor Sharon Citrin Goldstein January 25, 2024 Holidays Parashat Beshalach

Why I Change the Melodies: Exploring Keva and Kavanah

By occasionally changing melodies, we draw from both Keva and Kavanah and invite ourselves into a deeper connection with our prayers.

Nichole Chorny, Cantorial Intern and Education & Youth Director at Congregation Anshei Israel January 22, 2024 Holidays Music

What Do People Think About While Praying?

While Judaism tells us various ways to pray, we are not told what to think: Here are three different takes on the subject.

Rabbi Alex Braver September 7, 2023 Every Day Personal Prayer

When Using Tribal Distinctions, How Might Women Be Called Up for Aliyot?

While writing a teshuvah on changing our language for aliyot to kohenet from bat kohen, Rabbi David J Fine, PhD, reflects on egalitarianism.

Rabbi David J Fine, PhD April 30, 2023 Blessings CJLS

Special Shabbats leading up to Purim and Passover

What are the Special Sabbaths Before Purim and Passover?

A series of special Shabbatot with special Torah readings precede Purim and Passover.

Rabbi Alan Lucas, The Observant Life (Book) February 5, 2023 Observing Purim Passover

The Mystery of “Eyn Keloheinu”

What is the mystery of Eyn Keloheinu? How do we unravel the contradiction that seems to be present within this prayer?

Rabbi Mordecai Miller January 4, 2023 Liturgy Prayer

Shabbat Morning Services: What to Expect

We thank God, spend time in community, sing heartily, read holy texts, and revel in rest. What can I expect at a Shabbat morning service?

Rabbi Sydni Adler Rubinstein June 16, 2022 Prayer Prayer in Synagogue

What do I do on a long Shabbat Afternoon?

Long Shabbat afternoons can be intimidating, here's how Rabbi Sydni Rubinstein spends her time and why it's her favorite time all week.

Rabbi Sydni Adler Rubinstein June 10, 2022 Observing Shabbat Shabbat

Friday Night Kiddush: The Deeper Meaning

Rabbi Dina Shargel teaches that the Friday night Kiddush sets a mood to welcome Shabbat by connecting it to Creation and to the Exodus.

Rabbi Dina Shargel June 7, 2022 Erev Shabbat Shabbat

The Shabbat Prohibitions

Shabbat comes with specific limitations. These Shabbat prohibitions help us create a separation from the rest of the week.

The Observant Life (Book), Rabbi Michael Katz May 16, 2022 Observing Shabbat Shabbat

The Shabbat Afternoon Service

The Minhah Service on Saturday Shabbat afternoon contains a number of significant additions to the weekday Afternoon Service.

The Observant Life (Book), Rabbi Michael Katz May 16, 2022 Prayer Prayer in Synagogue

The Saturday Morning Shabbat Service

How is the Saturday morning Shabbat service constructed? What prayers are included? Check out our overview on Shabbat morning services.

The Observant Life (Book), Rabbi Michael Katz May 16, 2022 Shabbat Shabbat Day

Friday Night Shabbat at Home

Friday night Shabbat at home includes blessings over children, the song Shalom Aleichem, kiddush, and the blessing over bread, the motzi.

The Observant Life (Book), Rabbi Michael Katz May 16, 2022 Erev Shabbat Shabbat

Super Simple Guide: How to Do Havdalah

This is a super simple guide on how to do the ritual of Havdalah including the blessings in Hebrew, English, and Transliteration.

Exploring Judaism May 13, 2022 Havdalah Shabbat

Havdalah Solo: My (Slightly Awkward) Spiritual Self-Care

My Havdalah candle, wine, spices, and I did my own Havdalah ceremony all alone in my backyard. It was my own form of spiritual self-care.

Marion Haberman April 27, 2022 Havdalah Shabbat

Havdalah: An Overview

Havdalah, the concluding ceremony for Shabbat, serves as a dramatic reminder of the beauty and emotional power of Judaism.

The Observant Life (Book), Rabbi Michael Katz April 26, 2022 Havdalah Shabbat

Friday Night Services at Synagogue: An Explainer

Friday night services on Shabbat include both Kabbalat Shabbat, a joyous recitation of psalms, and a Shabbat Maariv, the evening service.

Rabbi Michael Katz, The Observant Life (Book) April 20, 2022 Erev Shabbat Prayer

Shabbat Candles and the Beginning of Shabbat

Shabbat begins with the lighting of candles, in part, because they are symbolic of the spiritual light that Shabbat can bring into our lives.

The Observant Life (Book), Rabbi Michael Katz April 20, 2022 Erev Shabbat Shabbat

The 3 Categories of Shabbat Preparation

There are three major categories of Shabbat preparation that must be attended to: physical setting, food preparation, and personal grooming.

The Observant Life (Book), Rabbi Michael Katz April 20, 2022 Erev Shabbat Preparing for Shabbat

What is an Eiruv Tavshilin?

One is only permitted to cook on festivals to make food for the holiday itself, not for other days. There is an exception: eiruv tavshilin.

Rabbi Alan Lucas, The Observant Life (Book) March 22, 2022 Holidays Passover