Traditions
Part of the intrinsic beauty of Shabbat is that our actions, the rituals we practice week in and week out, are imbued with a great deal of meaning, resonating down the generations and linking us with our history and heritage.
Hadlakat Nerot – Lighting the Shabbat Candles
One of the main reasons for lighting candles at the onset of Shabbat is to engender “shalom bayit” – domestic tranquillity.
Thus the candles add to our enjoyment of the day. At least two candles are lit, but it is also customary for a woman to add one candle to represent each of her children.
After the obligatory candle lighting blessing is made, some also have the tradition to recite a short prayer for the physical and spiritual well being of their families.
Shalosh Seudot – Three Meals on Shabbat
It is a mitzvah to eat three festive meals on Shabbat. The making of Kiddush precedes the first two, on Friday night and at Saturday lunchtime.
The third meal, “seuda shlishit”, is eaten on Shabbat afternoon. Each meal should begin with a ritual washing of the hands before two loaves of bread, usually challah, are uncovered by the head of the household. After the bracha of hamotzi is recited, everyone receives a piece of challah dipped in salt.
The two loaves commemorate the double portion of manna that the Jews received from God on Shabbat in the desert. The salt reminds us of the sacrifices that used to be dipped in it during Temple times.
Havdalah
The Havdalah prayer marks the contrast between the extreme spirituality and other-worldliness of Shabbat, and the mundane worldliness of the rest of the week.
Havdalah should be recited over a full cup of wine, to symbolise the contentment we hope the new week will bring. Most have the tradition to take this even further, by letting the cup of wine overflow a little.
Two additional blessings are also made during the Havdalah ceremony. The first is recited over the smelling of a box of aromatic spices, as a means of raising our spirits after the departure of Shabbat.
The second is made over a candle that has at least two wicks – havdalah candles are often elaborately plaited, multi-wick affairs. At the end of the havdalah ceremony, the candle is extinguished in a small amount of wine, again to symbolise the blessings we hope to receive.
