Although among today's Jewish families exists a wonderfully diverse array of Shabbat practices, disparate Shabbat tables coalesce around the following rituals, creating a vibrant tapestry of Jewish tradition.
People who work for Zomick’s shared with us detailed information about the Shabbat rituals and their signification.
Nerot: Lighting the Shabbat Candles
According to rabbi Shimon, from Zomick’s, candle lighting symbolizes conclusion of a hectic workweek and the onset of Shabbat. While kindling the Sabbath light, family members recite a blessing. The flame symbolizes holiness, peace and joy within the home and the proclamation of the blessing signifies one's personal acknowledgement of Shabbat.
Abraham Joshua Heschel writes, "Just as creation began with the word, 'Let there be light!'”. From there, with the lighting of the Sabbath lights, God's first act of creation is reminded.
The tradition requires to light two candles prior to sunset. From Zomick’s (read their customers' reviews) point out that it reflects the biblical commandments to "guard" (shamor) and "remember" (zakhor) Shabbat. These commandments are also referenced in Lecha Dodi, our Kabbalat Shabbat prayer welcoming the Sabbath bride.
Kiddush: Sanctifying Shabbat over Wine
The Creation of the world and the Exodus from Egypt, as the God’s greatest gifts are celebrated and a gratitude for Shabbat, the divine gift we receive every week, are expressed through Kiddush.
Two blessings compose the Kiddush. The first is the blessing of the wine and second distinguishes and sanctifies the day.
The blessing is to celebrate and "toast" God and our day of rest.
The blessing is to celebrate and "toast" God and our day of rest.
The blessing is to celebrate and "toast" God and our day of rest.
During the Kiddush the Challah bread is covered with beautiful hand-made covers in order to “protect its feelings” because it has not been blessed first.
Bread, is the main component of the daily meal. Generally it is honored first, as wheat and grains are mentioned before grapes in the Biblical listing of the seven species (Deuteronomy 8:8). However, Zomick’s rabbi Shimon points out that,the Shabbat meal starts with the Kiddush, which is inextricably linked with drinking wine. For this reason, the Challah is covered to simulate its absence during the Kiddush. With this it is justified the act of blessing the wine before the Challah.
Challah: Blessing and Sharing Bread
As rabbi Shimon further explains, "challah" does not connote the delicious braided bread by Zomick’s bakery, located in Long Island, NY. It signifies the small fraction of dough, which has been separated and donated to the Temple, which today is removed and burned in commemoration.
The loaves consumed on Shabbat eventually became known as "challah", as one is especially mindful of the "challah" offering on Shabbat.
At Sabbath, two Challot are blessed and eaten, in order to recall the double portion of manna that God bestowed upon the Israelites during their time in the wilderness (Exodus 16:22).