How to Celebrate Shabbat
By:Glenn Kay

Candles

Two candles are placed on the table where the Shabbat meal is to be eaten The two candles symbolize the twofold command of God: to Remember and Sanctify. The mother of the household lights the candles and repeats the following blessing:

Barukh atah Adonai Elohenu melekh ha-olam, asher kidshanu b'mitzvohtav or l'goyeem v'natan-lanu Yeshua m'sheekhaynu ha-or la-olam.
Blessed art thou, O Lord Our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us by thy commandments and commanded us to be a light to the nations and has given us Yeshua, the light of the world.

Why does the mother light the candles? It is really a picture of redemption and contrast - As Eve, the first mother, extinguished the light of eternal life by disobeying God's command (Gen 2:17) So too as the mother lights the candles she causes us to remember that God chose another woman, Miriam - to bring forth "the light of the world." (Jn 8:12) to restore that which was lost in the garden.

The Fruit of the Vine

With the candles lit, the family now says the blessing over the wine or grape juice, which is in a special kiddush cup, a cup of sanctification. The fruit of the vine has always symbolized the joy of God's provisions in our everyday lives (Ps 104:15) As the cups are raised, the man of the house leads the family in the following blessing:

Barukh atah Adonai Elohenu melekh ha-olam, boray p'ree ha-gahfen.
Blessed art Thou, O Lord our God, King of the universe, who creates the fruit of the vine.
The Bread - or Challah

Next comes the blessing of the challah, the twisted loaf of bread which is traditional for the occasion. Normally there are two loaves - which represent the double portion of manna provided before every shabbat to the Israelites in the wilderness. The leader raises the challah for all to see and leads the family in the following blessing:

Barukh atah Adonai Elohenu melekh ha-olam, ha-motzee lekhem meen ha-aretz.
Blessed art Thou, O Lord our God, King of the universe, who brings forth bread from the earth.
The bread is never cut with a knife - but always broken by hand. This is to symbolize the day when all weapons of war will be done away with at the coming of Messiah (Is 2:4)

Blessing of the Children

Take this weekly opportunity to bless your spouse and your children. When you bless someone, especially children, think of both the past and the future. Think of something they did this week which showed you that God was working in their lives, and they were growing in their walk with Him. Speak to them also of the potential you see in them for the future. What do you think God has planned for them? Your blessings may turn out to be prophetic, as were the blessings of the patriarchs.


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