I dont know if this is what your looking for? But here goes.
Can anyone tell me about Shabbat? I go to a church where we are integrating a lot of Jewish customs into our worship. For example, we dance traditional Jewish dance to Jewish music, some of us wear Tallit's, and I just attended my first Christian version of Shabbat, this evening. I've celebrated many Jewish holidays with my friends and I want to learn so much more about the Jewish faith. Any information that anyone could provide would greatly be appreciated.
Thanks and God Bless...
I cant speak for everyone because we all have our own flavor or tradition.
But I do believe we all start Shabbat on Friday night. This is the basic how my family starts Shabbat off.
1) The house is clean for Shabbat.
2) The table it set with a white tablecloth or a special Shabbat tablecloth that is hand made. We use paper plates, plastic spoons, fork, knife, and paper napkin & paper cups.
3) Table is set with 2 Candlesticks & Candles, It's nice to have special candlesticks to light candles on, especially if they were candlesticks handed down in the family. [This is set in front of the woman at the table]
4) Kiddush cups [a win glass setting on a small plate} and a bottle of wine. [This is set in front of the man at the table]
5) 2 challah [a brayed bread] 2 plates with a 2 napkin to cover bread. [One in front of the wife the other in front of the husband. Some times we allow our Children to bless the Challah]
6) Hand washing bowl and a pitcher of water and a small hand towel.
7) Scarf for the wife,
8) A one-pot meal, such as chicken soup, beef stew, chilly, Vegetable soup, chicken and rice. [This is up to you we try to keep it one pot meal because its easer.]
[Just befor the sun goes down we put soft music to call everyone to the table.] [We like Songs of Zion by Maurice Sklar. It sets a peaceful mood]
When all are at the table: The wife covers her head with the scarf lights the candles and says, this candle is represents Creation and this one represents Redemption. She then waves her hands over the flame as if she is pulling the warmth of the flame [Shabbat] into herself. [Because our Salvation (Yeshua) comes from a woman]
[She then covers her eyes and says the blessing for Shabbat. {Looking down at the paper to read} [It is said that Shabbat starts when the wifes eyes see the light of the candle.]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Blessing for the lighting of the candles:]
Barukh atah Adonai, Elohaynu, melekh ha-olam,
Blessed are You, Lord, our God, King of the Universe,
asher kidshanu bmitzvotav, vtzivanu
who sanctifies us with his commandments, and commands us
lhadlik neir shel shabbat (Amein)
to light the candles of Shabbat (Amen)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Blessing for the wife: The Husband places his hand on his wife head and reads the blessing for his wife. ]
A Woman of Valor, who can find? She is more precious than corals.
Her husband places his trust in her and profits only thereby.
She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.
She seeks out wool and flax and cheerfully does the work of her hands.
She is like the trading ships, bringing food from afar.
She gets up while it is still night to provide food for her household, and a fair share for her staff.
She considers a field and purchases it, and plants a vineyard with the fruit of her labors.
She invests herself with strength and makes her arms powerful.
She senses that her trade is profitable; her light does not go out at night.
She stretches out her hands to the distaff and her palms hold the spindle.
She opens her hands to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy.
She has no fear of the snow for her household, for all her household is dressed in fine clothing. She makes her own bedspreads; her clothing is of fine linen and luxurious cloth. Her husband is known at the gates, where he sits with the elders of the land.
She makes and sells linens; she supplies the merchants with sashes.
She is robed in strength and dignity, and she smiles at the future.
She opens her mouth with wisdom and a lesson of kindness is on her tongue.
She looks after the conduct of her household and never tastes the bread of laziness.
Her children rise up and make her happy; her husband praises her:
"Many women have excelled, but you excell them all!" Grace is elusive and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears God -- she shall be praised.
Give her credit for the fruit of her labors, and let her achievements praise her at the gates.
To see & hear blessing in Hebrew:
http://www.aish.com/SSI/articleToPr...al+Shabbat+song+in+honor+of+the+Jewish+woman.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Blessing for the Sons: Father places his hand on his sons heads and reads the blessing for his sons.
Yseem-cha Eh-lo-heem KEf-ra-yeem v cheem-na-sheh.
May Adonai inspire you to live in the tradition of Ephraim and Menasha, who carried forward the life of our people.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Blessing for the Daughters: Father places his hand on his Daughters heads and reads the blessing for his Daughters.
Ysee-maych Eh-lo-heem K Sa-rah, Ra-chale, V lay-ah.
May Adonai inspire you to live in the tradition of Sarah, Rachel, and Lay-ah, who carried forward the life of our people.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Blessing for the wine: Father reads,]
And the Children of Israel shall keep Shabbat.
Vayhiy erev vayhiy voqeir yom ha-shishiy
And there was evening and there was morning, a sixth day
Vaykhulu ha-shamayim vha-aretz vkhol tzvaam
The heavens and the earth were finished, the whole host of them
Vaykhal Elohiym ba-yom ha-shviyiy melakhto asher asah
And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made
vayishbot ba-yom ha-shviyiy mikhol melakhto asher ashah
and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made
Vayivarekh Elohiym et yom ha-shviyiy vayiqadeish oto
And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it
kiy vo shavat mikhol melakhto asher bara Elohiym laasot
because in it he had rested from all his work which God created and done.
[Father fills wine glass and reads]
Shabbat is as a wedding ring between Adonai and [us] his people. And as in a wedding the husband and wife drinks from the glass of wine to seal the contract that is made between each other. And this glass of wine represents our agreement between our G-d and us to keep Shabbat. [This is not communion]
[Father raises the glass of wine and says the blessing:]
Barukh atah Adonai Elohaynu melekh ha-olam, borei priy ha-gafen. (Amein) Blessed are You, Lord, our God, King of the Universe, who creates the fruit of the vine. (Amen)
[each person takes a drinks from glass.]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hand washing: [no blessing is read]
The wife takes the bowl and pitcher to her husband fist, and pour water over his hands that are held over the bowl. He dries his hands on small towel. She then goes to each of the children and repeats the process. Then the Husband takes bowel and pitcher to his wife.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Blessing for the Challah bread:
{The Challah represents the two portion of manna given to the Israel in the wilderness. And bread is the subtenant of life. [This is not communion]
Husband & wife hold up Challah and say Blessing.
[Blessing for the Challah bread:]
Barukh atah Adonai Elohaynu melekh ha-olam
Blessed are You, Lord, our God, King of the Universe
ha-motzi lechem min ha-aretz. (Amein)
who brings forth bread from the earth. (Amen)
[After Blessing each person rips a piece of bread and eats.]
[Greet each other with a hug and sing Shabbat Shalom]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Serve and eat meal.]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Blessing after Meal]
Thank you for all, O L-rd our G-d, we thank you and bless you. May your name be blessed continuously forever by the mouth of all the living. As it is written (Deut 8:10) when you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the LORD your God for the good land he has given you.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shabbat
http://www.aish.com/shabbat/
Family Parsha
http://www.aish.com/torahportion/family/Family_Parsha_Yitro_5765.asp
How to Shabbat
http://www.aish.com/shabbathowto/fridaynight/Blessing_the_Children.asp
