What is Shabbat?

Shabbat also known as "Shabbos" or the "Sabbath" is the seventh day of the week and is a day of rest as instructed by God in Genesis 2:2. There are not too many rules about Shabbat noted in the Old Testament but of course man has taken care of that by adding dozens, if not hundreds, of rules they say God clearly meant even though God did not say. 

The Forth Commandment
Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates.

Shabbat is celebrated around the would every week by millions of people in many nations in many different ways. Although God's rules/guidelines are few, tradition and local customs plays a large part in how it is observed.  

What God DID actually say:
· Do not work (*see definition of work)
· Do not have others work for you
· No one in your house should do work
· Keep the Sabbath set apart
· Do not light a fire if it involves work
· Rest

Remember: “the LORD your God has commanded you to observe the Sabbath day.”

*Work: KJV Dictionary Defines work as: to be occupied in performing manual labor, whether severe or moderate, to work into the earth, to produce by labor or exertion of strength, perform any type of business.  See full list at:https://av1611.com/kjbp/kjv-dictionary/work.html

The following are only suggestions and ideas for your personal Shabbat.

Preparing for Shabbat: Transitioning Into Shabbat  (Sabbath)

When one speaks of the Holy Shabbat, that transition is provided by Erev Shabbat, the Eve of Shabbat.

Shabbat should be a do-it-yourself project. In order to really feel the Shabbat, you cannot wait for it to come to you. You must get into it. The Torah tells us (Exodus 31:16) ‘to make the Shabbat.' Every person must make his own Shabbat. You must prepare yourself and get into the mood. Only then will you be able to feel its true significance,

“The Shabbat mood begins with its preparation. The Commandment says, “Remember the Shabbat Day to keep it holy.” Our sages teach us that in order to truly keep it holy, we must remember it all week long and prepare for it. If you see something you will enjoy on Shabbat, by all means set it aside for use on Shabbat. (Beitza 15b)”

“The preparations for Shabbat reach their peak on Friday afternoon. You then direct most of your activities towards Shabbat. Recall the lesson of our Sages, “He who prepares on Friday, will eat on Shabbat.” Anticipate it as you would an important visitor.

“Eat lightly on Friday afternoon. Work up an appetite for the Shabbat meal.”

“Make sure that you will have the tastiest possible food for Shabbat. If possible, do something to help prepare the meal. Make sure that everything will be just right.”

“Clean up your room and tidy your belongings. Put away all weekday things. Prepare your surroundings to reflect the Shabbat mood. ”

“Take a relaxing bath or shower. Cleanse your mind and soul along with your body.”

“Put on your best clothes. Dress as if for an important occasion. If possible, have special Shabbat clothing set aside.”

“Prepare the table for the Shabbat meal. Cover it with a fine white tablecloth. Set it with your best china and silver in honor of the Queen.”

“Set aside two “Challahs,” (bread loaves) symbolizing the double portion of manna, the miraculous food which fell from heaven for the people while they were in the desert, regarding which twice as much fell on Friday because the people were not allowed to gather the manna on Shabbat.

Prepare wine if you wish or special drink.

Lighting of Shabbat Candles

At 18-20 minutes before sunset (tradition), Shabbat candles are lit in the home. Although in most households, the candles are lit by wives and mothers, if a woman or even a man, is living alone, she or he may light candles in their home.

In most cases a blessing is recited first. In the case of Shabbat candles, the woman lights the candles first, and then pronounces the blessing, because once she has pronounced the blessing, she has accepted the Shabbat restrictions upon herself, and would not be able afterwards to light the candles.

Thus, after lighting the candles, the woman covers her eyes and recites the blessing,

“Baruch atah Adon-y, Elo-einu Melech HaOlam, Asher Kideshanu B’Mitzvotav V’Tzivanu Lehadlik Ner Shel Shabbat”

“Blessed are You, our God, King of the Universe, as we kindle the Light of Shabbat”

While the woman covers her eyes, she prays for the welfare of her family. The lighting of the Shabbat candles is a moment of great significance, for it is now that the holiness of Shabbat descends upon the home. Of course, by nightfall, Shabbat will have arrived, in any case, for it does not depend on the actions of Man. But, by ushering in the Shabbat before its automatic arrival, the woman demonstrates her eagerness, and the eagerness of her family, for closeness to God our Father.

Usually, the husband sets up the candles in the “Menorah,” or candle-holder. This allows him to have some participation in this beautiful Mitzvah (command). In doing something for his wife, the husband is also enhancing “Shalom Bayit,” the peaceful atmosphere in the home.
  ~ https://www.ou.org/holidays/shabbat/erev_shabbat_the_eve_of_shabbat/

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