Jewish Heritage
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Connection
Rabbi Dovid Saks
DIRECTOR
DIRECTOR
Shabbat at a Glance
529 Wyoming Ave.
Scranton, PA 18509
(570) 346-1321
Scranton, PA 18509
(570) 346-1321
108 N. Abington Rd.
Clarks Summit, PA 18411
Clarks Summit, PA 18411
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selecting such as eliminating rotten grapes from the rest of the bunch.
At the conclusion of the meal, a cup of water that sits on top of a small basin may be passed around the table for each person to gently wash their hands. Then the ‘Benching’ - grace after meals will be recited.
After the meal the family will either remain at the table and continue to converse or move to a less formal setting i.e. living room. Board games that are non electronic and do not require writing and coloring may be played on Shabbos. It is common to visit friends or attend an informal inspiring Torah gathering held in a private home.
You will notice that during the Shabbat, the phone is not used. If it does ring, it will not be answered. The TV, washing machine, computers, PDA’s etc. will not be used or even moved. On Shabbat, there is no watering flowers or gardening; haircutting, sewing, writing, erasing, painting, cutting to size, building, demolishing, creating a fire or extinguishing a fire etc. Theses laws are derived from the fact that the Torah prohibited the Jews from building the Mishkan – Holy Temple on Shabbat. There were 39 categories (and subcategories) of creative activities in the building of the Mishkan. Hence they are prohibited for us to do on the Shabbos. Not because they require effort of work, rather because they are deemed as creative actions.
After a good night’s sleep, it’s time to go to synagogue to pray the Shacharit – morning service. During the service the Torah scroll is taken out of the Ark and the portion of the week is read. Eight men will be called for an Aliyah – honor - to recite a blessing on the Torah before it is read and at the conclusion of that particular segment.
The Torah scroll is lifted and its covering is replaced. Then the Haftorah, taken from the Book of our Prophets is chanted
The Rabbi will usually deliver the sermon at this point. The Mussaf – extra prayer service is recited after the sermon.
After services, many synagogues host a Kiddush – light refreshments. If there is an occasion, the Kiddush may resemble a lavish meal. Save your appetite because a complete meal will be served at the home of your host.
At the meal, Kiddush will be recited over wine/grape juice and the washing of the hands for the bread and blessings over the Challa will be performed the same as the night meal.
During the main course of the meal a hot stew consisting of potatoes, meat, beans and/or barley is served. The name of this delicacy is called Cholent! It was prepared on Friday and remained on the fire/crock-pot since then. It is an awesome dish!
After the meal, many take an afternoon nap, take a walk or attend a class at the synagogue.
When the afternoon Mincha service is recited the Torah scroll is read again. This time only three men are called for honors and short segments of the Torah are read. If you thought you were done with eating…well there is a light third meal that is eaten on Shabbat. No Kiddush is recited, but Challa is eaten. This meal is either eaten in the Synagogue or at home. There is singing during this meal as well. Maariv – evening service is recited following.
The Shabbat concludes 43 minutes after sunset, however there are various customs that extend the Shabbos longer.
The end of Shabbos is marked by reciting Havdalla. Havdalla means separation – it is when we formally separate the holy day of Shabbos from the mundane weekday. It consists of a blessing over a cup of wine/ grape juice, a blessing over spices - the container will be passed around for every one to give a sniff, a blessing over a torch of fire, and a concluding blessing. The head of the household will recite all the blessings, and family and guests respond Amain at the conclusion of each blessing.
Shabbat is formally over and all restrictions are lifted.
Whenever a person refrains from doing something that is prohibited for the sake and Sanctity of Shabbos, he attains spiritual strength that is uplifting, empowering and causes blessings to flow throughout the coming week.
Shavuah Tov – Wishing you a great week!
At the conclusion of the meal, a cup of water that sits on top of a small basin may be passed around the table for each person to gently wash their hands. Then the ‘Benching’ - grace after meals will be recited.
After the meal the family will either remain at the table and continue to converse or move to a less formal setting i.e. living room. Board games that are non electronic and do not require writing and coloring may be played on Shabbos. It is common to visit friends or attend an informal inspiring Torah gathering held in a private home.
You will notice that during the Shabbat, the phone is not used. If it does ring, it will not be answered. The TV, washing machine, computers, PDA’s etc. will not be used or even moved. On Shabbat, there is no watering flowers or gardening; haircutting, sewing, writing, erasing, painting, cutting to size, building, demolishing, creating a fire or extinguishing a fire etc. Theses laws are derived from the fact that the Torah prohibited the Jews from building the Mishkan – Holy Temple on Shabbat. There were 39 categories (and subcategories) of creative activities in the building of the Mishkan. Hence they are prohibited for us to do on the Shabbos. Not because they require effort of work, rather because they are deemed as creative actions.
After a good night’s sleep, it’s time to go to synagogue to pray the Shacharit – morning service. During the service the Torah scroll is taken out of the Ark and the portion of the week is read. Eight men will be called for an Aliyah – honor - to recite a blessing on the Torah before it is read and at the conclusion of that particular segment.
The Torah scroll is lifted and its covering is replaced. Then the Haftorah, taken from the Book of our Prophets is chanted
The Rabbi will usually deliver the sermon at this point. The Mussaf – extra prayer service is recited after the sermon.
After services, many synagogues host a Kiddush – light refreshments. If there is an occasion, the Kiddush may resemble a lavish meal. Save your appetite because a complete meal will be served at the home of your host.
At the meal, Kiddush will be recited over wine/grape juice and the washing of the hands for the bread and blessings over the Challa will be performed the same as the night meal.
During the main course of the meal a hot stew consisting of potatoes, meat, beans and/or barley is served. The name of this delicacy is called Cholent! It was prepared on Friday and remained on the fire/crock-pot since then. It is an awesome dish!
After the meal, many take an afternoon nap, take a walk or attend a class at the synagogue.
When the afternoon Mincha service is recited the Torah scroll is read again. This time only three men are called for honors and short segments of the Torah are read. If you thought you were done with eating…well there is a light third meal that is eaten on Shabbat. No Kiddush is recited, but Challa is eaten. This meal is either eaten in the Synagogue or at home. There is singing during this meal as well. Maariv – evening service is recited following.
The Shabbat concludes 43 minutes after sunset, however there are various customs that extend the Shabbos longer.
The end of Shabbos is marked by reciting Havdalla. Havdalla means separation – it is when we formally separate the holy day of Shabbos from the mundane weekday. It consists of a blessing over a cup of wine/ grape juice, a blessing over spices - the container will be passed around for every one to give a sniff, a blessing over a torch of fire, and a concluding blessing. The head of the household will recite all the blessings, and family and guests respond Amain at the conclusion of each blessing.
Shabbat is formally over and all restrictions are lifted.
Whenever a person refrains from doing something that is prohibited for the sake and Sanctity of Shabbos, he attains spiritual strength that is uplifting, empowering and causes blessings to flow throughout the coming week.
Shavuah Tov – Wishing you a great week!