How do You Celebrate Shabbat?

I want to start this discussion to encourage everyone to share how they make Shabbat special and set it apart from all the other days of the week.

Exod 20:11 For in six days YHWH made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore YHWH blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy (kodosh -set apart).

Many of us may have some similar traditions, like lighting candles and saying blessings, but I am sure there are some unique traditions out there. Would anyone care to share how they make Shabbat kodosh (separate) in their home, synagogue, or congregation?

My tradition I would like to share is the lighting of candles. Not just the Shabbat candles, but many tea-lights. Before Shabbat starts our oldest son Levi is in charge of putting new tea-lights in all the holders and lights them. We have them everywhere in our dining room, on all the walls and the fireplace mantle. So we eat our erev Shabbat meal by candle light. The children love it and everything looks so beautiful in the candle light. We don't blow them out. We just leave them to burnout slowly. It is the only time of the week that we do this, so it separates Shabbat and makes it more Kodesh than all the other days of the week.

Your Turn,
Tami

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Ted Walther on January 17, 2010 at 9:04pm

How about not buying, selling, or driving more than 15 minutes in any direction? I know a lot of sabbath-keepers who do some shopping or go to a restaurant or drive an hour to church on Saturdays.

How about finding some way to stay overnight within a 15 minute walk of your fellowship group? And then not going home until the day ends?

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Permalink Reply by Mary Vaught Kline on January 17, 2010 at 10:30pm

Tammy what a beautiful tradition, lighting the candles to beautify your space. I have no special traditions other than the best tablecloth, napkins, and the usual candlelighting, handwashing. But I will keep this in mind and see if I can
add something to my home to make the sabbath not only Kodesh but also special and set apart. Thank you for sharing. Ted what is this about driving no more than 15 minutes on the sabbath? I happen not to drive, but only because I do not need to. But is there some rule in the Torah regarding 15minutes?

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Permalink Reply by Ted Walther on January 18, 2010 at 12:57am

Tanakh says that on the Sabbath, let no one stir from his place. What does that mean? Stay inside your tent? No, the New Testament as well as the Talmud refers to a "Sabbath Days journey". How long is this? Well, the man who went outside the camp to gather sticks, what was his crime? It was "stirring from his place". He went clearly outside the boundaries of the camp.

What is the boundary of a "place"? The cities of the Levites were ordained to have 1000 cubits in every direction outside their walls. If you add all this up, it amounts to about a 15 minute walk. So the chat Jesus had with his disciples after his resurrection when they were taking a "sabbath days journey" back from Synagogue, wasn't as long as most people today have assumed!

So, 15 minute walk, 15 minute drive... I try not to travel more than 15 minutes in any direction.

When you follow this rule it actually leads to great fellowship. If you want fellowship on Sabbath, be ready for it! Spend it with a brother or sister. If you aren't really brothers or sisters, you'll end up hating each other. But if you are, you will come away strengthened and refreshed, and your shared activity will help you keep each other from getting bored and violating the Sabbath with worldly pursuits.

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Permalink Reply by Ted Walther on January 18, 2010 at 2:26am

By "spend it with a brother or sister", I meant, do an over-nighter! Bring your sleeping bag, some gifts, or at the very least, some food. Or invite a brother or sister over to your place to spend shabbat. Why travel at all on the Sabbath?

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Permalink Reply by Tammy Hulon on January 18, 2010 at 4:24pm

Shalom Ted and Tanakh Only,

Wow! Did this jump to another topic, but a tov one.

I think the commandment of the Torah to gather, convocate, on Shabbat is more weightier than not traveling. It was given first and the other halachah is given to better beautify the Shabbath.

We should all move in the direction of setting the Shabbath apart from an average day, and not driving certainly does that. However, it is a process to get to that point for many people.

Do either one of you have specific things (traditions) that you do to set the day apart?

I also do not drive and deal with money on Shabbat and I agree these set the day apart, but I am actually hoping we can share ideas to beautify the Shabbat.

Ted, I agree sharing Shabbat with like believers is definitely the best way to spend Shabbat, and as Tanakh Only reminded us, it is the commanded way (a holy convocation).

Thanks for your input.
Shalom, Tami

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Permalink Reply by Susan Izdepski on January 18, 2010 at 7:44pm

I slow down on Erev Shabbat..rest and read Torah on the triennial schedule. or just enjoy being around my children relaxing....try to have a nice dinner for the family prepared.. On Shabbat day I study in the morning and then attend a Torah midrash study with about 10 others so ,after we sing the Shma, we read the Torah and haftorah .psalms and Brit and discuss things .....everyone has insight..always a delight.then we break bread together after singing the blessings...We have done this since 01.It is quite satisfying.

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Permalink Reply by Sherry Cole on January 19, 2010 at 8:11pm

Shalom Ruth,
Your description of how you make Shabbat special is so beautiful and inspiring. I would love to be your neighbor and spend time visiting with you. Got any vacant land next door that's for sale?
Love and blessings,
Sherry

Ruth Watson said:

Hi to all interested in this discussion,

Blessings.

My habits on this most special day are:

As the evening comes my children and I go outside and watch for the first 3 stars - they love it - each one wants to spot the first star. This signals the start of sabbath for us. Sometimes I go up on a mountain close by us and do this. As soon as we see the first 3 stars we pray.

At home ususally I would have baked Challah x 2 (twice the amount) that preparation day. I would have wine ready and a meal (usually twice the amount so I have leftovers). Light candles, break bread and wine + prayer and blessings. The house is in order and cleaned so no labour is required.

During the day I will soak myself in the word and teach the children as they are receptive (find teachable moments). Nothing structured with the children - impromptu with them - this is the way they like it (Spirit led). May go for a short walk around the neighbourhood. Take care to look at God's creation on this day - after all it is what He rested from. Look at flowers and their beauty and their intricate detail, much like Father. Lay down on the trampoline with children looking at the heavens, the clouds and His handiwork. As we do this we wonder about Him. His word is by far my greatest pleasure on this day. I choose an area of scripture to study and usually I am filled (soul wise) by the end of the day and resting in His peace. I don't fellowship with anyone else as no one with my belief is around.

The day ends with a meal, prayer and a sense of sadness that it is over but an expectation of the next.

Ruth