On a mystical level, that means that Shabbat’s holiness is intrinsic—it doesn’t vary—and it occurs regardless of what mankind measures and observes. It also implies that nothing, no matter what, takes precedence over Shabbat.
Kiddush is the opportunity to note that at the outset. Over a cup of wine you declare that God runs the world. He created it for your pleasure and benefit, and you’re along for the ride.
This is the full text of Kiddush.
Challah
The bread eaten on Shabbat is called challah, although like most things Jewish, the way it’s made varies from place to place.
The origin of the name is from the Torah, and refers to a tithe that both homemakers and professional bakers took from the doughs they were kneading, and then designated for a higher, spiritual purpose (in ancient times, it was baked into loaves of bread and donated to the people who worked in the Temple in Jerusalem).
Nowadays, a small symbolic tithe is still taken (and burned), and the name—and therefore a memory of the idea—is kept alive via its association with the breads you eat on important occasions.
Challah is considered holy, and on a deep, mystical level represents humanity. When God made the world, He kneaded the dough of the earth, so to speak, and took a small tithe, which He then formed into man. With that, humanity was separated from the rest of creation, and given a higher purpose and meaning.
At each Shabbat meal, you make a blessing on two challahs, in commemoration of the miraculous double portion of bread, called manna, that is described in Exodus 16:29-30, “‘You must realize that God has given you the Sabbath, and that is why I gave you food for two days on Friday. [On the Sabbath] every person must remain in his designated place. One may not leave his home [to gather food] on Saturday.’ The people rested on Saturday. The family of Israel called the food manna.”
That abundance, similar to the double portion described in Exodus, is an important Shabbat theme: you refrain from work, but the world doesn’t stop. Not only that, but despite your lack of effort, your needs are still taken care of. Observing Shabbat—and that includes the Sabbath meals—is a testament to the belief that God, ultimately, is running the show.
What to do? Go to the sink, take the special washing cup, pour water on each hand two or three times, make the blessing “Al Netilat Yadayim,” return to your seat, and sit quietly. When everyone has washed their hands, take the challah, make the blessing, “HaMotzi,” cut the bread, dip a piece in salt, and take a bite. After that, cut and distribute pieces to everyone else. At that point, it’s ok to talk.
Zemirot (Sing!)
Shabbat Zemirot are a collection of songs sung throughout the Shabbat meal. These songs enhance the spiritual flavor of your Shabbat meal, and they’re found in most Jewish prayer books, as well as in a special booklet that goes by various names like Bencher, Zemirot Shabbat (Sabbath Songbook), Birchonim, and more.
Some Shabbat songs are ancient, and were derived from poems written in the Middle Ages. The mystical schools based in Tzfat in the 16th century also composed many Shabbat Zemirot. Other Zemirot are even more recent. Zemirot are sung in many languages including Hebrew, Aramaic, Ladino, and Yiddish, although some communities only sing wordless melodies (called nigunim).
For many Zemirot, the words are fixed, but the melodies change over time, and, in addition to the new melodies that creative people come up with, you can also adapt the words to popular songs, or even make up your own. The point is to use the music to elevate your meal, but what that looks like is up to you, whether it’s serious and somber, playful and joyous, or raucous and wild. Let the spirit move you.
Go here for a collection of song options.
Blessings After the Meal
Every Shabbat meal ends with the Blessings After The Meal. These blessings, which consists of four main sections, as well as a series of additional blessings and requests, is one of the few blessings mentioned in the Torah itself (Deuteronomy 8:10): “When you eat and are satisfied, you must therefore bless God your Lord for the good land that He has given you.”
The point of each of the four blessings is to:
- Thank God for the food, and the sustenance He always provides
- Acknowledge the eternal link between the Jewish people and the land of Israel
- Pray for Jerusalem to be rebuilt and returned to its former glory
- Appreciate that God is the source of good, and that what He does in the world—even if it isn’t always easy to understand—is for the best
Shabbat Food
It’s not a Shabbat meal without food. In addition to challah and wine, most Shabbat meals include salads, fish, meat, an abundance of sides, and dessert. But what those food choices are are as varied as the Jewish people and range from excessive grease and starch to the staples of Mediterranean eating. Visit our Shabbat page on Jewlish for an almost endless list of options and ideas.
What to Bring to Shabbat Dinner
The most important thing to bring to a Shabbat dinner is a smile on your face and a positive attitude. If you’re invited to a Shabbat dinner and don’t want to show up empty handed, the best thing to bring is a bottle of wine. It’s easy, and always appreciated. Other common gifts include a bouquet of flowers, cakes or other desserts, booze, and the like.
What to Wear to Shabbat Dinner
A Shabbat dinner is a holiday feast and you should dress accordingly. Business casual is the general rule: sport coat and tie for men, and skirt and nice blouse for women, but ultimately, what you wear is up to you, and should reflect your good taste, personality, and style.