The Jews have a weekly holiday which is celebrated every Friday at sunset. It is called "Shabbat Shalom", which means "Hello Saturday." Every Jew reveres the sixth day of the week, which reminds him of his spiritual purpose in life. Let's find out, Shabbat - what kind of holiday it is and how it is celebrated in Israel.
Peaceful Saturday
Shabbat Shalom is a festive Friday dinner dedicated to the Sabbath. Why is this particular day of the week considered holy for Jews? Because it is one of the foundations of the unity of the Jewish people. This holy day reminds the Jews that they were once slaves in Egypt. But later, the Almighty brought the people out of there so that they could receive the Torah at Sinai. Saturday is a symbol of the Jews' exit from physical slavery and their gaining spiritual freedom. The celebration of the Sabbath is also a direct fulfillment by the Jews of God's 4th commandment: “Remember the Sabbath evening to keep it holy. Work 6 days, and dedicate the 7th day to your Almighty …”For a religious Jew, the “Day of rest” is very important - Shabbat. Whatis this a holiday for Israel? It can be said that Israel “stands” on Shabbat. On Saturday, clinics, government agencies and most shops do not work in the country. Public transport does not run through the streets of Israel from 15.00 (winter) and from 16.00 (summer) every Friday. People can only get to the place by taxis, which operate at higher (Saturday) rates.
How is the holiday celebrated?
Jewish Sabbath existed even in Ancient Egypt. Jews in Egyptian slavery were allowed to rest on the Sabbath. All thanks to Moshe. He grew up in the family of a pharaoh. For several years, Moshe watched the exhausting work of his brethren. He felt sorry for them, and he turned to the pharaoh with a request to give the slaves a day of rest a week. And the pharaoh agreed. Therefore, Shabbat reminds the Jews not only of the 4th commandment of the Almighty, but also of the exodus from Egyptian slavery. Preparation for the holiday begins on Friday. In the evening, at sunset, the whole family gathers for a festive meal. Shabbat lasts a day: from sunset on Friday to the same time on Saturday (a feature of Jewish holidays). A woman is preparing for the holiday; she also lights candles before "Peaceful Saturday".
On the eve of the holiday
The main holiday of Israel is Shabbat. What is it, we managed to find out. Let's find out how the Jews are preparing for "Peaceful Saturday". In Israel, a woman is called "the light of the house." She has an important role to play in the preparation for Shabbat. The Jews have a centuries-old tradition of bakingthe great feast of challah. A woman baking festive bread with her own hands performs one of the sacred mitzvahs. Preparation for the holiday begins on Friday morning. The woman begins to prepare challah and various dishes for the table. At the same time, she tastes every cooked dish. But she must do this correctly: not to spit out food, but to swallow food, pronouncing Brahi. The festive table must be covered with a tablecloth until the end of the holiday (preferably white). Before Shabbat, every man and every woman takes a bath or shower. If there is little time left before the holiday, then only hands and face are allowed to be washed with water.
Lighting candles
This sacred rite is performed by Jewish women. The lighting of candles on Shabbat is done with special care and devotion. This ritual brings peace and harmony to Jewish homes. Women who celebrate the holiday at home usually light 2 candles directly on the festive table or not far from it. Sometimes oil lamps are used instead. The fact that the mistress of the house lit the candles does not yet mean the beginning of Shabbat for the household. They can go about their normal business. But a woman from this moment has no right to do work and eat food before sunset. Candles must be lit no later than 18 minutes before sunset. They cannot be moved from place to place. For Shabbat, long candles are purchased so that they can last until the end of the festive meal.
Sabbath meal
This is one of the highlights of the holiday. A familygathers at the Friday table, on which candles are already burning. Households and guests should sit down at the festive table in a good mood, forgetting about the problems of everyday life and anxiety. Before starting a meal, Jews sing "Shalom Aleichem", make Kiddush and wash their hands. Shabbat is coming. Its start time is sunset on Friday. The whole family starts the meal, which should consist of the best food: fish, meat and various delicacies. 2 challah is served on the table when Shabbat comes. What is it and why is it eaten double? Challah is a white bread that a Jewish woman prepares for the “Peaceful Sabbath”. 2 servings of festive bread are placed on the table in memory of the heavenly manna, which the Almighty gave to the Jews when they returned from Egypt through the desert. On that day, God gave the people twice as much heavenly bread. Manna is heavenly bread. On Shabbat, it is associated with challah. During the festive meal, Jews sing Shabbat songs. It is believed that during Shabbat, an atmosphere of joy and peace should reign in the house. Everyone who gathered at the festive table discusses the events of the current week or tells interesting stories from life.
Shalom
Jews greet each other by saying the word "shalom". Translated, it means "perfection". Therefore, "shalom" is an external manifestation of the best internal quality and state of a person. Perfection here is not associated with physical parameters, but personifies a spiritual state. Therefore, at meetings, Jews pronounce "Shalom!", thereby wishing each other spiritualperfection. The same word is used in parting. It is easy to guess why Saturday has such a name - "Shabbat Shalom!". Jews say that "Peaceful Sabbath" is a majestic holiday that Israel can be proud of. Shabbat helps the Jewish people realize that there are higher values in life than earthly goods and the desire for material gain. Shabbat teaches us to live for eternity and holiness. And those who honor the Sabbath will be rewarded according to their deserts. "More than the Jews kept the Sabbath, the Sabbath kept the Jews."
