Your Shabbat Seder
The Shabbat is the day of rest for us Jews and for the world. We find in the beginning of the Torah that we humans are created in the image of G-d. In the powerful story of creation, G-d rested when he was done with the creation. We find these words in the Torah, Bereishit, Ch. 2:1:
יוֹם הַשִּׁשִּׁי. וַיְכֻלּוּ הַשָּׁמַיִם וְהָאָרֶץ וְכָל צְבָאָם: וַיְכַל אֱלֹהִים בַּיּוֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִי מְלַאכְתּוֹ אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה. וַיִּשְׁבֹּת בַּיּוֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִי מִכָּל מְלַאכְתּוֹ אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה: וַיְבָרֶךְ אֱלֹהִים אֶת יוֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִי וַיְקַדֵּשׁ אֹתוֹ. כִּי בוֹ שָׁבַת מִכָּל מְלַאכְתּוֹ אֲשֶׁר בָּרָא אֱלֹהִים לַעֲשֹוֹת:
“The heavens and the earth, and all they contain, were completed. On the seventh day, G-d completed work, and G-d rested on the seventh day from all the work. G-d blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, for on it G-d rested from all the work, which G-d had created to do.”
These words sanctify our Shabbat each week when we say the Kiddush over wine on Friday eve. We are further commanded by G-d, when receiving the 10 commandments on Mt Sinai and when Moses is retelling the commandments before entering the Promised Land: that we shall remember and guard the Shabbat and make it holy.
The beauty of Shabbat lies in the fact that we sanctify time not place and we make it holy. This allows us to celebrate Shabbat wherever we are. We separate ourselves from the mundane, from work, and make time holy by celebrating the Shabbat. May these images and links inspire, move and guide you to enjoy our holy day in a more meaningful way. We hope that you find your own expression of honoring the Shabbat.
Shabbat Shalom.
User’s Guide to the Shabbat Seder
It is our hope that the below images and pages will help you enjoy your Shabbat Seder. The images contain prayers in Hebrew, English, and are transliterated so everyone can use them. We realize that we are at a different “place” in our comfort level of Shabbat observance. To enhance your Shabbat experience, we offer the following suggestions for your use as you increase your involvement with the Friday night ritual. Remember, it is not required that you everything immediately. This is not an all-or-nothing experience, so we encourage you to grow the Shabbat Seder as your comfort level increases.
For those just starting to have a Shabbat dinner experience, we recommend the following order of prayers, please include:
When you wish to add more to your Shabbat Seder, we recommend adding the following content at the appropriate point in the seder: Shalom Aleichem and Eishet Chayil, which are said right after the candle blessing. Washing of your hands after Kiddush before saying the blessing over the bread.
- Shalom Aleichem* – welcoming the angels
- Eishet Chayil* – women of valor
- Netilat*– washing the hands
*Temple Etz Chaim has been granted access from the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles to publish some of the content on this page. Translations of many blessings adapted from Renew Our Days: A Book of Jewish Prayer and Meditation by Rabbi Ronald Aigen, reprinted with permission by The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles.
Be flexible and make the Shabbat experience yours!
For a complete printout, click here.
Shabbat Services at Temple Etz Chaim
For the latest on our Weekly Shabbat Services, please check our TEC Calendar for dates.
(SUMMER ONLY) Shabbat Under the Stars. During the summer months, we move our Kabbalat Shabbat services outside, where spirits can soar. Check our Calendar for more information.