How to Behave During Shabbat
Perhaps you've been invited to spend Friday night and Saturday with a traditional Jewish family, and you are not sure how to behave at Shabbat. The Jewish Sabbath, or Shabbat, is referred to as an "oasis in time" when all work is suspended for 25 hours and Jewish families focus on prayer, meals and being together. You can relax and be yourself once you learn these tips on how to behave in an Orthodox Jewish home during Shabbat.
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Instructions
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Bring something for the family. The item may be food, soaps, flowers or toys for the children and need not be expensive. A nice gift is a way of saying "thank you" to your hosts. If you want to bring food for Shabbat, ask the family first which kosher symbol (hecksher) they use when they buy food.
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Shower at home before you leave rather than at the home. Friday afternoon can be quite hectic, and especially in large families, there may be limited time in the shower or hot water, since the whole family will want to bathe before Shabbat begins. Therefore, it is a good idea to prepare yourself at home.
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Offer to help. Your hostess may insist she doesn't need any help to prepare for the Sabbath, but an offer is always appreciated. You need not do anything more complicated than play with the toddler, but it is a great help as everyone rushes to prepare for Shabbat.
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Forget about your cell phone, cigarettes, pen and paper, money, CD player and other electrical items for the 25 hours. If you want to use these things, do so in a private place and not in front of the Shabbat-observant family, who do without these items on the Sabbath.
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Feel free to ask questions. Don't be so worried about how to behave during Shabbat that you can't be yourself. As long as questions are stated in a culturally sensitive way, you will be fine. Most traditional Jewish families are happy to discuss their way of life.
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Dress and act modestly. Traditional Jewish families usually have a standard of dress, and guests should avoid wearing shorts, mini-skirts, tank-tops or provocative dress. While you need not conform to their standards of modesty, it is a good idea not to show too much skin.
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