Shabbat Home Rituals
Setting the Table
The Sabbath table should be set with at least two candles (representing the dual commandments to remember and observe the sabbath), a glass of wine, and at least two loaves of challah (representing the dual portion of manna that God provided for the Israelites in preparation for Shabbat in the desert). The challah loaves should be whole, and should be covered with a bread cover, towel or napkin.
Lighting Candles
Candles should be lit no later than 18 minutes before sundown. For the precise time when Shabbat begins in your area, consult the list of candle lighting times provided by the Orthodox Union or any Jewish calendar.
At least two candles should be lit, representing the dual commandments to remember and to keep the sabbath. The candles are lit by the woman of the household. After lighting, she waves her hands over the candles, welcoming in the sabbath. Then she covers her eyes, so as not to see the candles before reciting the blessing, and recites the blessing below. The hands are then removed from the eyes, and she looks at the candles, completing the mitzvah of lighting the candles.
Blessing over Candles
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה אַדֹנָ-י אֱ-לֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם
Barukh atah Adonai, Eloheinu, melekh ha'olam
Blessed are you, Lord, our God, sovereign of the universe
אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו וְצִוָּנוּ
asher kidishanu b'mitz'votav v'tzivanu
Who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us
לְהַדְלִיק נֵר שֶׁל שַׁבָּת
l'had'lik neir shel Shabbat. (Amein)
to light the lights of Shabbat. (Amen)
Evening Services
Evening services (Kabbalat Shabbat and Ma'ariv) should be attended in the synagogue or performed in the home between candle lighting and dinner on the evening of the sabbath.
Kiddush
Kiddush is recited while holding a cup of wine or other liquid, no less than 3.3 ounces. If wine or grape juice is not used, you should substitute shehakol nih'yeh bid'varo (by whose will all things come to be) for borei p'ri hagafen (who creates the fruit of the vine).
וַיְהִי עֶרֶב וַיְהִי בֹקֶר יוֹם הַשִּׁשִּׁי׃
Vay'hi erev vay'hi voker yom hashishi
And there was evening and there was morning, a sixth day
וַיְכֻלּוּ הַשָּׁמַיִם וְהָאָרֶץ וְכָל צְבָאָם׃
vay'khulu hashamayim v'ha'aretz v'khol tz'va'am
The heavens and the earth were finished, the whole host of them
וַיְכַל אֱלֹהִים בַּיוֹם הַשְּׁבִיעי מְלַאכְתּוֹ אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה
vay'khal elohim bayom hash'vi'i m'la'kh'to asher asah
And on the seventh day God completed his work that he had done
וַיִשְׁבֹּת בַּיּוֹם הַשְּׁבִיעי מִכָּל מְלַאכְתּוֹ אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה׃
vayish'bot bayom hash'vi'i mikol m'la'kh'to asher asah
and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done
וַיְבָרֶךְ אֱלֹהִים אֶת יוֹם הַשְּׁבִיעי וַיְקַדֵּשׁ אֹתוֹ
Vay'varekh Elohim et yom hash'vi'i vay'kadeish oto
And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it
כִּי בוֹ שָׁבַת מִכָּל מְלַאכְתּוֹ אֲשֶׁר בָּרָא אֱלֹהִים לַעֲשׂוֹת׃
ki vo shavat mikol m'la'kh'to asher bara Elohim la'asot
because in it he had rested from all his work that God had created to do
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם
Barukh atah Adonai, Eloheinu, melekh ha-olam
Blessed are you, Lord, our God, sovereign of the universe
(if using wine or grape juice)
בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הַגָּפֶן.
borei p'ri hagafen (Amein)
Who creates the fruit of the vine (Amen)
(if using other liquids)
shehakol nih'yeh bid'varo (Amein)
Who made all things exist through His word (Amen)
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם,
Barukh atah Adonai, Eloheinu, melekh ha-olam
Blessed are You, Lord, our God, King of the Universe
אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו וְרַָצָה בָנוּ,
asher kid'shanu b'mitz'votav v'ratzah vanu
who sanctifies us with his commandments, and has been pleased with us
וְשַׁבָּת קָדְשׁוֹ בְּאַהֲבָה וּבְרָצוֹן הִנְחִילָנוּ, זִכָּרוֹן לְמַעֲשֵׂה בְרֵאשִׁית.
v'shabat kad'sho b'ahavah uv'ratzon hin'chilanu zikaron l'ma'aseih v'rei'shit
You have lovingly and willingly given us Your holy Shabbat as an inheritance, in memory of creation
כִּי הוּא יוֹם תְּחִלָּה לְמִקְרָאֵי קֹדֶשׁ זֵכֶר לִיצִיאַת מִצְרָיִם.
ki hu yom t'chilah l'mik'ra'ei kodesh zeikher litzi'at Mitz'rayim
because it is the first day of our holy assemblies, in memory of the exodus from Egypt
כִּי בָנוּ בָחַרְתָּ וְאוֹתָנוּ קְדַּשְׁתָּ מִכָּל הָעַמִּים .
ki vanu vachar'ta v'otanu kidash'ta mikol ha'amim
because You have chosen us and made us holy from all peoples
וְשַׁבָּת קָדְשְׁךָ בְּאַהֲבָה וּבְרָצוֹן הִנְחַלְתָּנוּ
v'shabat kad'sh'kha b'ahavah uv'ratzon hin'chal'tanu
and have willingly and lovingly given us Your holy Shabbat for an inheritance
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ מְקַדֵּשׁ הַשַׁבָּת.
Barukh atah Adonai m'kadeish hashabat (Amein).
Blessed are You, who sanctifies Shabbat (Amen)
Washing Hands
After Kiddush and before the meal, each person in the household should wash hands by filling a cup with water and pouring it over the top and bottom of the right hand and then the left hand. Before wiping the hands dry on a towel, the following blessing should be recited.
,בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם
Barukh atah Adonai, Eloheinu, melekh ha-olam
Blessed are You, Lord, our God, King of the Universe
אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְווֹתָיו, וְצִוָּנוּ
asher kidishanu b'mitz'votav v'tzivanu
Who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us
עַל נְטִילַת יָדָיִם
al n'tilat yadayim.
concerning washing of hands.
Why is there no "Amen" at the end of this blessing? Traditionally, each person washes their own hands, and each person says their own blessing. You don't say "Amen" to your own blessing, and everybody says their own n'tilat yadayim, so there is no "Amen"! With the other blessings on this page, a leader says the blessing on behalf of everyone, and the others say "Amen."
Ha-Motzi
Immediately after washing hands and before eating, the head of the household should remove the cover from the two challah loaves, lifting them while reciting the following blessing. The challah is then ripped into pieces or sliced and passed around the table, so that each person may have a piece. The family meal may then begin.
,בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ מֶֽלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם
Barukh atah Adonai, Eloheinu, melekh ha-olam
Blessed are You, Lord, our God, King of the Universe
הַמּוֹצִיא לֶחֶם מִן הָאָרֶץ.
hamotzi lechem min ha'aretz. (Amein).
who brings forth bread from the earth. (Amen)
Blessing the Children
Before dinner, it is customary for parents to bless their children. Traditionally, they lightly place their hands on the child's head while reciting the following blessing:
For boys, the introductory line is:
יְשִׂימְךָ אֱלהיִם כְּאֶפְרַיְם וְכִמְנַשֶּׁה.
Yesimcha Elohim k’Efra’m U’k’Menasheh
May you be like Ephraim and Menashe.
For girls, the introductory line is:
יְשִׂימֵךְ אֱלהיִם כְּשָׂרָה רִבְקָה רָחֵל וְלֵאָה.
Y’simech Elohim K’Sarah, Rivka V’Leah
May you be like Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel, and Leah.
For both boys and girls, the rest of the blessing is:
יְבָרֶכְךָ יְהוָה וְיִשְׁמְרֶךָ
Yevarechecah Adonai V’Yishmechah
May God bless you and guard you.
יָאֵר יְהוָה פָּנָיו אֵלֶיךָ וִיחֻנֶּךָּ
Ya’er Adonai Panav Elecha V’chu’necha
May God show you favor and be gracious to you.
יִשָּׂא יְהוָה פָּנָיו אֵלֶיךָ וְיָשֵׂם לְךָ שָׁלום
Yisa Adonai Panav Elecha V’yasem L’cha Shalom
May God show you kindness and grant you peace.
ESHET HAYIL
(Heb. אֵשֶׁת חַיִל; "a woman of valor"), opening words praising the virtuous woman in Proverbs 31:10–31. This poem enumerates the qualities of the ideal wife in a sequential alphabetic acrostic of 22 verses, one for each of the letters of the Hebrew alphabet. She is lauded as provident, economically successful, working hard for husband and household, and charitable to the needy. She possesses optimism, faces life with confidence, and speaks in wisdom and kindness. Her efforts enable her husband to function as a prominent communal leader, "As he sits among the elders of the land." The conclusion of the passage celebrates a woman's domestic and spiritual strengths: "Grace is deceitful, and beauty is vain, But a woman that fears the Lord, she shall be praised … and let her works praise her in the (city) gates."
In many Jewish families the song is recited or chanted on Friday evenings before the Kiddush. This custom originated in kabbalistic circles and initially referred to the Shekhinah ("Divine presence") as the mystical mother and wife. Later this devotion became a domestic ceremony in which the family paid homage to its wife and mother.
Eishet Chayil mi yimtza, vrachok mi'pninim michrah.
Batach bah lev ba'alah, vshalal lo yechsar.
G'malathu tov v'lo ra kol y'mei chayeha.
Darsha tsemer ufishim, v'ta'as b'chefetz kapeha.
Hay'tah k'oniyot socher, mimerchak tavi lachma.
V'titen teref l'beitah v'chok l'na'aroeha.
Zam'mah sadeh v'tikachehu, mi'pri kapeha nat'ah karem.
Chag'rah b'oz motneha, va'tametz z'ro'oteha.
Ta'm'a ki tov sochrah, lo yichbe balayla nerah.
Yadeha shilcha b'kishor, v'kapeha tam'chu phalech.
Kapah par'sah l'ani, v'yadehah shil'cha l'evyon.
Lo tira l'veitah m'shaleg, ki kol beitah l'vush shanim.
Marvadim as'tah lah, shesh v'argaman l'vushah.
Nodah b'sha'arim ba'alah, b'shivto im ziknei aretz.
Sadin as'tah v'timkor, v'chagor nat'nah la'kna'ani.
Oz v'hadar l'vushah, vatischak l'yom acharon.
Piha pat'cha b'chochmah, v'torat chesed al l'shonah.
Tsofiya halichot beita, v'lechem atzlut lo tochel.
Kamu vaneha v'ya'ashruhah, ba'aolah vay'hal'lah.
Rabot banot asu chayil, v'at alit al kulanah.
Sheker hachen v'hevel hayofi, ishah yir'at adonai hi tithalal.
T'nu lah mi p'ri yadeha, vihal'luha b'shaarim ma'aseha.
.אֵשֶׁת חַֽיִל מִי יִמְצָא, וְרָחֹק מִפְּנִינִים מִכְרָהּ
בָּֽטַח בָּהּ לֵב בַּעְלָהּ, וְשָׁלָל לֹא יֶחְסָר
גְּמָלַֽתְהוּ טוֹב וְלֹא רָע, כֹּל יְמֵי חַיֶּֽיהָ
דָּרְשָֽׁה צֶֽמֶר וּפִשְׁתִּים, וַתַּֽעַשׂ בְּחֵֽפֶץ כַּפֶּֽיהָ
הָיְתָה כָׇּאֳנִיּוֹת סוֹחֵר, מִמֶּרְחָק תָּבִיא לַחְמָהּ
וַתָּֽקׇׇם בְּעוֹד לַיְלָה, וַתִּתֵּֽן טֶֽרֶף לְבֵיתָהּ וְחֹק לְנַֽעֲרֹתֶֽיהָ
זָמְמָה שׂדֶה וַתִּקָּחֵֽהוּ, מִפְּרִי כַפֶּֽיהָ נָטְעָה כָּֽרֶם
חָגְרָה בְעוֹז מׇתְנֶֽיהָ, וַתְּאַמֵּץ זְרוֹעֹתֶֽיהָ
טָֽעֲמָה כִּי טוֹב סַחְרָהּ, לֹא יִכְבֶּה בַלַּֽיְלָה נֵרָהּ
יָדֶֽיהָ שִׁלְּחָה בַכִּישׁוֹר, וְכַפֶּֽיהָ תָּֽמְכוּ פָֽלֶךְ
כַּפָּהּ פָּרְשׂה לֶעָנִי, וְיָדֶֽיהָ שִׁלְּחָה לָאֶבְיוֹן
לֹא תִירָא לְבֵיתָהּ מִשָּֽׁלֶג, כִּי כׇל־בֵּיתָהּ לָבֻשׁ שָׁנִים
מַרְבַדִּים עָשׂתָה־לָּהּ, שֵׁשׁ וְאַרְגָּמָן לְבוּשָׁהּ
נוֹדָע בַּשְּׁעָרִים בַּעְלָהּ, בְּשִׁבְתּוֹ עִם זִקְנֵי־אָרֶץ
סָדִין עָשׂתָה וַתִּמְכֹּר, וַחֲגוֹר נָתְנָה לַכְּנַעֲנִי
עוֹז וְהָדָר לְבוּשָׁהּ, וַתִּשׂחַק לְיוֹם אַחֲרוֹן
פִּֽיהָ פָּתְחָה בְחׇכְמָה, וְתֽוֹרַת חֶֽסֶד עַל לְשׁוֹנָהּ
צוֹפִיָּה הֲלִיכוֹת בֵּיתָהּ, וְלֶֽחֶם עַצְלוּת לֹא תֹאכֵל
קָמוּ בָנֶֽיהָ וַיְּאַשְּׁרֽוּהָ, בַּעְלָהּ וַיְהַלְלָהּ
רַבּוֹת בָּנוֹת עָֽשׂוּ חָֽיִל, וְאַתְּ עָלִית עַל כֻּלָּנָה
שֶֽׁקֶר הַחֵן וְהֶֽבֶל הַיֹּֽפִי, אִשָּׁה יִרְאַת ה׳ הִיא תִתְהַלָּל
תְּנוּ לָהּ מִפְּרִי יָדֶֽיהָ, וִיהַלְלֽוּהָ בַשְּׁעָרִים מַעֲשֽׂיהָ
Translation:
10 A woman of valour who can find? for her price is far above rubies.
11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, and he hath no lack of gain.
12 She doeth him good and not evil all the days of her life.
13 She seeketh wool and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
14 She is like the merchant-ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
15 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth food to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it; with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and maketh strong her arms.
18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good; her lamp goeth not out by night.
19 She layeth her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.
20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household; for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
22 She maketh for herself coverlets; her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
24 She maketh linen garments and selleth them; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
25 Strength and dignity are her clothing; and she laugheth at the time to come.
26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and the law of kindness is on her tongue.
27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
28 Her children rise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her:
29 'Many daughters have done valiantly, but thou excellest them all.'
30 Grace is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her works praise her in the gates.
Havdalah Home Ritual
Please note that this page contain the name of God.
If you print it out, please treat it with appropriate respect.
If you do not have experience reading transliteration
please see the Guide to Transliteration.
The Havdalah service marks the end of Shabbat. It should be performed no earlier than nightfall on Saturday night. Nightfall is the time when three stars can be seen in the sky. It is normally about 45 minutes to an hour after sundown, depending on your latitude. For the precise time when Shabbat ends in your area, consult the list of candle lighting times provided by the Orthodox Union.
You will need three things for this ritual: a glass of wine or other liquid, some fragrant spices, and a special Havdalah candle.
Wine
The first of the four havdalah blessings is made over wine or another liquid. If wine or grape juice is not used, you should substitute shehakol nih'yeh bid'varo (by whose will all things come to be) for borei p'ri hagafen (who creates the fruit of the vine).
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ מֶֽלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם
Barukh atah Adonai, Eloheinu, melekh ha'olam
Blessed are you, Lord, our God, sovereign of the universe
(if using wine or grape juice)
borei p'ri hagafen (Amein)
Who creates the fruit of the vine (Amen)
(if using other liquids)
בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הַגָּֽפֶן
shehakol nih'yeh bid'varo (Amein)
Who made all things exist through His word (Amen)
Spices
The second blessing is recited over fragrant spices. The spices represent a compensation for the loss of the special sabbath spirit. The spices commonly used are cloves, cinnamon or bay leaves. They are commonly kept in a special decorated holder called a b'samim box.
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ מֶֽלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, בּוֹרֵא מִינֵי בְשָׂמִים
Barukh atah Adonai, Eloheinu, melekh ha'olam, borei minei v'samim (Amein)
Blessed are you, Lord, our God, sovereign of the universe, Who creates varieties of spices (Amen)
Fire
The third blessing is recited over the special, multi-wicked Havdalah candle. Havdalah candles can be obtained from Jewish gift stores. If you cannot obtain a Havdalah candle, you can hold two candles close together, so their flames overlap. I have also used party candles (long, very thin candles) that I warmed up and twisted together.
Lighting a flame is a vivid way of marking the distinction between the sabbath and the weekday, because we cannot kindle a flame on the sabbath.
After the blessing is recited, hold your hands up to the flame with curved fingers, so you can see the shadow of your fingers on your palms. This is done because it would be improper to recite a blessing for something and then not use the thing.
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ מֶֽלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם
Barukh atah Adonai, Eloheinu, melekh ha'olam
Blessed are you, Lord, our God, sovereign of the universe
בּוֹרֵא מְאוֹרֵי הָאֵשׁ
borei m'orei ha'eish (Amein)
Who creates the light of the fire (Amen)
Havdalah
The final blessing is the havdalah blessing itself, the blessing over the separation of different things. The blessing is recited over the wine. After the blessing is complete, drink the wine. A few drops of wine are used to extinguish the flame from the candle.
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ מֶֽלֶךְ הָעוֹלָ
Barukh atah Adonai, Eloheinu, melekh ha'olam
Blessed are you, Lord, our God, sovereign of the universe
הַמַּבְדִיל בֵּין קֹֽדֶשׁ לְחוֹל
hamav'dil bein kodesh l'chol
Who separates between sacred and secular
בֵּין אוֹר לְחֹֽשֶׁךְ, בֵּין יִשְׂרָאֵל לָעַמִּים,
bein or l'choshekh bein Yis'ra'eil la'amim
between light and darkness, between Israel and the nations
בֵּין יוֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִי לְשֵֽׁשֶׁת יְמֵי הַמַּעֲשֶׂה.
bein yom hash'vi'i l'sheishet y'mei hama'aseh
between the seventh day and the six days of labor
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, הַמַּבְדִיל בֵּין קֹֽדֶשׁ לְחוֹל
Barukh atah Adonai, hamav'dil bein kodesh l'chol (Amein).
Blessed are You, Lord, who separates between sacred and secular. (Amen)