NEXT 7 STEPS TO ENRICHING SHABBAT
NEXT 7 STEPS TO ENRICHING SHABBAT
Seven Next Points (Not in hierarchical order)
· Provide yourself and family with Shabbat menuhah - a harmonious state with the world around - by refraining from such activities as those involving financial transactions, engaging in technology and using mechanical devices, working at your occupation, and lighting a flame Instead of attempting to create and manipulate the world around us, this is a day of appreciation for what God has created.
· Observe 25 hours of Shabbat (from sunset Friday to dark on Saturday)
Shabbat starts when the sun hits the horizon and finishes when there are three stars in the sky. This definition of the 25-hour period of Shabbat is thousands of years old, never requiring a mechanical device to determine when to start and when to finish. We too can follow this definition, once again sensitizing ourselves to God's creation of the natural order of the world.
· Discover Shabbat afternoon
Go for a walk, play appropriate games, spend time reading, read a story aloud with family or friends, use the time for conversation with spouse, children or friends, take a Shabbat nap. This is the gift of Shabbat - friends, family, nature, rest and relaxation. Enjoy!!
· Make Havdalah.
The candle, spice and wine of Havdalah mark the transition from Shabbat to the six days of creation, the time for work and creativity. It is a beautiful simple service, adding an element of sweetness to the sadness of leaving Shabbat
· Add Shabbat table rituals to your Shabbat meal (kiddush, motzi, birkat hamazon, z'mirot and Torah talk)
Performing a complete set of the table rituals creates a total feeling that each individual ritual cannot. It creates the joy of Shabbat at our table, thanking God for what we have.
· Give yourself some before-Shabbat-starts lead time to catch your breath.
We plan for those things that are important to us - a party, a life-cycle event, a vacation - and enjoy ourselves as we plan the details. We experience the same joy as we plan for Shabbat We plan menus, shop, cook, clean, set the table, and need time to catch our breath before Shabbat starts. This allows time to make the transition from the frenetic work-week to Shabbat Sit and read for a few minutes. Listen to music.
· Teach someone else how to take some Shabbat steps.
What better way to enjoy a gift than to share it with someone else! Take the gift of Shabbat and share it with a friend.
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ENTRY STEPS" Towards Shabbat Growth |
