Class One: Shabbat & The Jewish Home Flashcards
Memorise the Hebrew terms and become familiar with the concepts discussed in our first class.
What is the Hebrew word for the Sabbath?
Shabbat
When does the Jewish Sabbath begin?
Friday evening
What objects should you have on hand for a Friday night at home?
Two candles, a loaf of bread (often special bread called challah) that is covered, a glass of wine or grape juice and a prayer book (also known as a siddur in Hebrew)
Which day of the week is considered holy?
The seventh day, known as Shabbat which begins on Friday at sundown and lasts until sundown on Saturday.
What are we commanded to do on the seventh day of the week?
God commands us to rest on Shabbat, just as God rested after the six days of creation.
What is the plural of Mitzvah?
Mitzvot
What does ‘Mitzvah’ mean?
1) Commandment 2) Good deed
What does it mean to ‘make Kiddush?’
Reciting a prayer over wine or grape juice, which is followed by a prayer for the sanctification of the Sabbath on Friday night. On Saturday mornings, the prayer for sanctification of the Sabbath comes before the prayer for wine or grape juice. In both instances, we follow the wine/grape juice with a blessing for bread.
What is ‘HaMotzi’?
HaMotzi translates to ‘Who brings forth’ and is the shortened name for the blessing over bread.
What is the correct order of blessings at a Friday night meal?
1) Blessing for Wine/Grape juice 2) Blessing for sanctification of the Sabbath 3) Blessing for washing hands (optional) 4) Blessing for bread
What do Jews traditionally do on Saturday mornings?
It’s customary to attend religious services so that you can hear ‘seder k’riat ha-Torah’ - the reading of the Torah.
What does ‘havdallah’ mean?
‘Havdallah’ can be translated into English as ‘Difference’
What does ‘Havdallah’ do for us?
Havdallah helps us mark the difference between holy time (Shabbat) and ordinary time (the rest of the week). It gives us a moment to reflect before we jump back into the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
What does one do during a ‘Havdallah’ ceremony?
First we wait until Shabbat has officially gone out - when three stars appear in the sky. Then, we gather together a candle with many wicks, some wine or grape juice, and some herbs or spices (especially nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, star anise, or rosemary). We light our candle and say a prayer over the wine, then the spices, then the flame and finally a blessing for the separation of Shabbat. When the prayers are over, we extinguish the flame of the candle in the wine.
What is ‘Hiddur ha-Mitzvah’?
This means beautifying the commandment and reflects the idea that our ritual objects should be special and beautiful to us.
