Shabbat

Shabbat is the holiday that is central to Jewish Life, occurring every Friday at sunset to Saturday night.

Shabbat's Origins

When most people think of holidays, they think of annual celebrations, but in Judaism there is one holiday that occurs every week -- the Sabbath. Known in Hebrew as Shabbat and in Yiddish as Shabbos, it begins at sundown on Friday and ends on Saturday evening with Havdalah, a short ceremony that separates Shabbat from the rest of the week.

Inspired by the Torah’s story of God resting after creating the world (Genesis 2:1-3), Shabbat celebrates creation and offers a respite from the hectic pace of the rest of the week. Shabbat is a day of rest, and also a day of pleasure and delight. Shabbat is a time that is set aside to take notice of the wonders around us.

Shabbat is central to Jewish life. As the great Jewish writer Ahad Ha-Am has observed: "More than the Jewish people has kept the Sabbath, the Sabbath has kept the Jewish people." The Sabbath truly has been a unifying force for Jews the world over.

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Girl covering her eyes while blessing the candles

Now Livestreaming!

Many Reform congregations Livestream Friday night and Saturday morning services, as well as holiday services. Find a congregation in these listings and check their website for more information.

Three Ways to Bring Shabbat Home

Shabbat is the Jewish holiday that comes each week. Its roots lie in the biblical story of creation when, in order to complete the work of creating the world, God rested on the seventh day

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Congregation Beth Am photo at Pride March

 

Shabbat Videos

Watch videos to learn how to say Shabbat blessings, shape challah, make chicken soup, and much more.

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My Shabbat Castle

Since childhood, Friday night dinner has held a special place in my week. My mother lit candles and set the table with an embroidered cloth and pink china. My father recited blessings over a silver kiddush cup filled with wine and an ornate oval plate that held the challah.