Erev Shabbat

Erev Shabbat: Entering Into His Rest

For observant Jews, and those discovering the Hebrew roots of their Christian faith, welcoming the Shabbat with friends and family each Friday night is one of the most joyous, blessed, and eagerly anticipated times of the week!

This page provides a solid starting point for celebrating Erev Shabbat (the Eve of Sabbath) in a simple, traditional manner. Most families welcome the Shabbat with a formal dinner shared by friends and family, along with Torah discussions, prayer, encouragement, and joy. This is G-d’s special day, and you are entering into the presence of the eternal king, so take the time to prepare your very best!

If at all possible, all regular work should stop around noon so final preparations can be made. Husbands, this is your time to shine by taking off work early and bringing home fresh flowers and wine each Friday afternoon. Wives, this is the time for your best china and silverware, crystal wine glasses, white table cloth, and cloth napkins. Everything should be finished and ready to go at least one hour before sundown, so you can take a few private minutes for rest, reflection, and prayer before your guests arrive. Then – let the celebration begin!

There are many options for individual expression and developing your own unique family traditions for Erev Shabbat – we’ve simply provided a reliable template for you to work from. We encourage you to make learning about Shabbat a top priority in your walk of faith. It is the first and most important moedim established by HaShem – so remember: this is the day HaShem has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it. Shabbat Shalom!

Elements of Erev Shabbat

• Two Candles (wax or oil fed)
• Wine (from grapes, Kosher*)
• Challah Bread (recipe links below)
• Water and Basin for Ceremonial Hand Washing
• Blessings (provided below)
• Dinner Meal (Kosher*)
• Thanksgiving prayer

Click here for notes on Kosher

Erev Shabbat Seder

• Candle lighting (traditionally 18 minutes before sunset)
• Family Blessings (children, wives, husbands, guests, the order can vary)
• Kiddush Blessing (wine)
• Ceremonial Hand Washing (father)
• HaMotzi Blessing (bread)
• Meal (family, friends and fellowship)
• During the meal, discuss the Torah portions and remember all HaShem has done for you this week!
• Birkat Hamazon (thanksgiving after dinner)

Candle Lighting (woman of the home)

Traditionally, two candles adorn the Shabbat table based on the commandments to “keep” (Deut. 5:12) and “remember” (Ex.20:8) the Shabbat to keep it holy. In some households, additional candles are added for each child in the family, or simply for the ambiance of soft candle light at larger gatherings. The associated blessing is centered on Yeshua as the “light of the world.”

Hebrew Transliteration:

Barukh attah Adonai Eloheinu melekh ha-olam, asher kideshanu bemitzvotav ve-tzivanu lehiyot or la-goyim v’natan-lanu et Yeshua Meshicheinu or ha-olam.

English Translation:

Blessed are You, LORD our God, King of the universe, Who sanctified us with his commandments and commanded us to be a light to the nations, and Who gave to us Yeshua our Messiah the Light of the world.

There is no direct commandment to “kindle the Sabbath lights.” This is an ancient Jewish tradition based on a number of very important and relevant verses regarding the Shabbat and Israel’s purpose to “be a light” (i.e. bring Torah) to the nations. It is almost certain that Messiah Yeshua watched his mother kindle the Sabbath lights every Friday night, just as we do today. What a wonderful heritage we have!

Blessing for the Sons (man of the home)

Hebrew Transliteration:

Yesimkha Elohim ke’efrayim ve’khimnasheh.

English Translation:

May God make you like Ephraim and Manasseh. (the two sons of Joseph)

Blessing for the Daughters (man of the home)

Hebrew Transliteration:

Yesimekh Elohim k’Sarah, Rivka, Rachel, v’leah.

English Translation:

May God make you as Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel and Leah. (the four matriarchs of the Bible)

While the traditional blessings for children are wonderfully important and deeply rooted with meaning, many parents also develop their own unique and specific blessings for each child. Be creative and use this amazing opportunity to proclaim wholeness, sanctity, wisdom, blessings, and God’s eternal favor in the lives of your children!

Blessings for all Children and Guests

Hebrew Transliteration:

Y’va-reh-ch’cha Adonai v’yeesh-m’reh-cha,
Ya-air Adonai pa-nahv ay-leh-cha vee-choo-neh-ka,
Yee-sa Adonai pa-nahv ay-leh-cha v’ya-same l’cha Shalom.

Aaronic blessing in English:

The Lord bless you and keep you, The Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you, the Lord lift his countenance toward you, and give you peace.

Blessing for the Wives (Proverbs 31, man of the home)

• Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
• The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
• She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
• She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
• She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
• She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
• She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
• She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
• She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.
• She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
• She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
• She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
• She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
• Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
• She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
• Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
• She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
• She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
• Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
• Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
• Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.
• Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

Blessing for the Husbands (Psalm 112, woman of the home)

• Praise the Lord. Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord, that delighteth greatly in his commandments.
• His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed.
• Wealth and riches shall be in his house: and his righteousness endureth for ever.
• Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.
• A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion.
• Surely he shall not be moved for ever: the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance.
• He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord.
• His heart is established, he shall not be afraid, until he see his desire upon his enemies.
• He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor; his righteousness endureth for ever; his horn shall be exalted with honour.

Kiddush: Blessing of the Wine (man of the home)

Hebrew Transliteration:

Barukh attah Adonai Eloheinu melekh ha-olam, borei pe’ri ha-gafen. BaShem Yeshua – Amein..

English Translation:

Blessed are you, Lord our God, King of the univers, who brings forth the fruit of the vine, through Messiah Yeshuah. Amen.

After taking the first drink, it is a joyous custom for everyone to proclaim: “L’Chayim” (pronounced ‘la-kime’) which means “To Life!”

Netilat Yadayim: Washing of Hands (man of the home)

In this traditional part of the ceremony, water is gently poured over the right hand, then the left hand, as the following blessing is said. The hands are then dried in preparation for the next blessing.

Hebrew Transliteration:

Barukh attah Adonai eloheinu melekh ha-olam, asher kiddeshanu bemitzvotav vetzivanu al netilat yadayim.

English Translation:

Blessed are you, Lord our God, King of the universe, who hast sanctified us with thy commandments, and commanded us about washing the hands.

Ha Motzi: Blessing of the Bread (man of the home)

Hebrew Transliteration:

Barukh attah Adonai Eloheinu melekh ha-olam, ha-motzi lechem min ha-aretz. BaShem Yeshua – Amein.

English Translation:

Blessed are you, Lord our God, King of the universe, who brings forth bread from the Earth, through Messiah Yeshuah. Amen.

Looking for Challah bread recipes? You’ll find some excellent selections on Chabad.org and AllRecipes.com

Birkat Hamazon (prayer of thanksgiving, man of the home)

“When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the LORD your God for the good land he has given you.” Deuteronomy 8:10

When the meal and fellowship has ended, before the guests leave or the family retires for the evening, it is customary to offer a final prayer of Thanksgiving for the good things the Lord has provided. Some choose the traditional prayer below, others simply bring thanks to the Lord from the overflow of their heart.

English Translation (short form):

Blessed are you, LORD our God, King of the universe, Who nourishes the whole world in goodness, with grace, kindness, and compassion. He gives bread to all flesh, for His mercy endures forever. And through His great goodness we have never lacked, nor will we lack food forever, for the sake of His great Name. For He is God, who nourishes and sustains all, and does good to all, and prepares food for all His creatures which He created. Blessed are You, LORD our God, who nourishes all. Amen.

Welcome to Shabbat!
The Lord’s rest and blessing is upon you once again!

Additional Information

For additional information on Shabbat, refer to the Sar Shalom Halacha. Hebew4Christians.org is also an excellent online resource for learning more about Judaism, Messianic Judaism, and the Hebrew roots of Christianity. They offer an excellent section on Celebrating Shabbat and even a downloadable PDF that you can print and keep on-hand for reference. We encourage you to prayerfully consider supporting Hebrew4Christians by purchasing some of the excellent resources available in their online store.