Things You'll Need:
- two candles
- a Kiddush cup
- kosher grape juice or wine
- two loaves of challah bread
- a decorative napkin or cloth to cover the challah
- salt shaker
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Step 1
To set the stage for your Shabbat meal, begin by placing candlesticks on the table or a sideboard. Insert two candles, wave your arms three times over the canles in a circular motion tro welcome and embrace the shabbat, and recite the belssing for candlelighting: Barukh ata Adonai Eloheinu melekh haolam asher kiddishanu b'mitzvotav v'tsivanu lehadlik ner shel shabbat.
By lighting the candles, you invite the spirituality and tranquility if shabbat into your home. -
Step 2
After candlelighting, pour a cup of wine and either designate a person to recite the kiddush or say the kiddush together as a group. See the link at the end of this article for the text of the kiddush. After reciting the kiddush, all guests partake in a sip of wine or grape juice.
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Step 3
In traditional homes, dinner guests wash there hands by pouring water from a cup over each of their hands three times in preparation for the rest of the meal. The handwashing is followed by the traditional blessing: Barukh ata Adonai Eloheinu melekh haolam asher kiddishanu b'mitzvotav v'tsivanu al netilat yadayim.
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Step 4
The Hamotzi, or prayer over the challah, follows handwashing. The challah should be on the table during the candlelighting and kiddush obscured from view by a decoratove cloth. After handwashing, remove the cloth and have one person say the blessing over the bread:
Barukh ata Adonai Eloheinu melekh haolam hamotzi lechem min ha'aretz.
Slice or rip one of the loaves of challah and sprinkle pieces with salt before distributing them to your guests. -
Step 5
Next comes a delicious festive meal with as many courses or dishes as you would like!
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Step 6
To conclude the meal, recite a grace after meals, or birkat hamazon, to express gratitude for the bountiful food that you have just eaten. Again, see the link below for the text.
