2.6 : Shabbat

Question 1

When is Shabbat?

Answer 1

Friday sunset - Saturday sunset

Question 2

How is Shabbat celebrated in the synagogue?

Answer 2

• On Shabbat morning, families gather at the synagogue for morning prayers, which is the main service of the week.
• The high point of the service is when the Sefer Torah is taken out of the Ark and carried to the bimah for the rabbi to read the sidra.
• A man may be called up to read one of the books of the prophets, once the Sefer Torah has been put back in the Ark, and the rabbi gives a sermon.

Question 3

How are Shabbat services in Liberal Synagogues different to others?

Answer 3

• Liberal synagogues are different in their services: prayers are said in English, not Hebrew, women sit with the men, the rabbi may be a woman, and some prayers may be missed out.

Question 4

How is Shabbat celebrated at the home?

Answer 4

• Shabbat begins with the woman of the house lighting Shabbat candles, and welcoming Shabbat into the home.
• After the synagogue service, Shabbat worship continues in the home with the Shabbat meal, when the father blesses the children, says the kiddush over wine, and blessed the challot bread.
• The wine symbolises the sweetness and joy of the day, and the challot reminds the family of the time in the wilderness when G-d sent two lots of manna on Shabbat.
• When night falls, the havdalah ceremony takes places, when the father says a blessing over wine, another over a lit candle, and a final one over the havdalah spice box.
• Shabbat begins and ends with wine and lit candles. The spice box is passed round the family so that the memory of Shabbat lingers into the week.

Question 5

What are the 39 Melachot?

Answer 5

• Categories of work which must be avoided on Shabbat.
• Examples include no driving, no extinguishing a fire, or no writing etc.

Question 6

Why is Shabbat important to Jewish people?

Answer 6

• It is a Mitzvot, the fourth of the Ten Commandments
• Provides the Jewish person to renew themselves as they rest from work, and concentrate in religion.
• Gives the oppourtunity for Jews to think about what they want life to be about.
• Provides time for a person to think about God, and find out more about their faith.
• Offers the oppourtuntiy to socialise outside the demands and pressures of work.

Question 7

Why is Shabbat important to the Jewish community?

Answer 7

• It is the oldest Jewish festival, making it important for the community to keep it going.
• It was a gift from God to the Jewish people which binds them together - only Jews celebrate Shabbat.
• It reminds Jews of slavery in Egypt - refraining from work is a sign of freedom.
• It offers families the chance to grow in the Jewish faith.

Question 8

SOWA: The Fourth Commandment

Answer 8

“Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labour and do your work, but the seventh is the Sabbath to the Lord, your God.”