| Shabbat is considered by many Jewish scholars to | | | | -The Blessing over Challot, the Jewish Bread |
| be the most important holiday of all, at it is the | | | | The first step is the lighting of the candles, which |
| only holiday specifically mentioned in the Ten | | | | is done by the eldest woman of the home. After |
| Commandments. The first time it is mentioned | | | | igniting the flame, the woman waives her hands |
| occurs in Exodus 16, immediately following the | | | | over the candles, and then covers her eyes as |
| Lord delivering the people of Israel out of Egypt. | | | | she recites the prayer. |
| The Lord says to the people of Israel, through | | | | The blessing over the Sabbath Wine is called |
| Moses, that "tomorrow will be a day of complete | | | | Kiddush, which translated means "sanctification." |
| rest, a holy Sabbath day set apart for the LORD. | | | | Typically done by the father of the household, the |
| So bake or boil as much as you want today, and | | | | blessing over the wine offers thanks to the Lord |
| set aside what is left for tomorrow." Since this | | | | for the Jewish gift of Shabbat. |
| point, Shabbat has been considered a blessing gift | | | | Challah is the braided bread eaten by the Jewish |
| from God. | | | | people on Shabbat, as well as most other holidays |
| Of course, this mention of the Sabbath resonates | | | | (Pesach excluded). Most families will have two |
| with the one of the earliest passages in the Old | | | | loafs of Challah at the table, a symbol of the |
| Testament during Gods creation of existence. In | | | | manna that feel from the heavens as God led the |
| Genesis 2:3 it is written "So God blessed the | | | | people of Israel out of Egypt, which as you've |
| seventh day and made it holy, because on it God | | | | already read, was when he gave them the |
| rested from all his work that he had done in | | | | blessing gift of Shabbat. |
| creation." While the seventh day is not specifically | | | | Like the wine, a blessing is said over the Challah, |
| dubbed Shabbat at this point, it is the first time | | | | and pieces are typically dipped into salt, just like |
| the Old Testament makes mention of a day of | | | | the Sacrificies at the Ancient Temple were salted. |
| rest. | | | | Items used on Shabbat make great Jewish gifts. |
| The first restriction for the Jewish people on | | | | Beautiful Kiddush cups, elegant Shabbat |
| Shabbat initially was the creating of food. | | | | candlesticks, and fine-looking challah boards, for |
| However, since then, many more rules and | | | | example, are a wonderful addition to any home. |
| regulations have been developed for practicing this | | | | And any practicing family will use them every |
| Jewish day of rest. A morning service occurs, | | | | week, making this Judaica gift not only generous, |
| including "Keriat HaTorah," which is the reading of | | | | but useful. |
| that weeks Torah portion. The service also | | | | As the sun sets on Shabbat, observant Jews |
| includes a reading from the Haftarah, as well as a | | | | take part in the Havdalah ceremony, which |
| Musaf section. | | | | translated means "separation." Like the opening |
| While there are a plethora of Shabbat rituals and | | | | ceremony, the Havdalah service includes wine and |
| customs that are suppose to take place at its | | | | a candle. However, the Havdalah candle is |
| beginning, the three most identifiable are, in order: | | | | different, in that it is typically taller and is braided |
| -The lighting of the Shabbat Candles | | | | with a series of wicks. |
| -The blessing over the Sabbath Wine | | | | |