The Shema, and How the Sabbath Begins and Ends
Shema Yisrael (often called simply “The Shema”), the Biblical passage from Deuteronomy 6:4, is certainly the best known of all Jewish prayers. It is part of the morning and evening Jewish prayer services. The phrase of course menas “Hear Israel”, and refers to the entire phrase “Hear O Israel, the Lord Thy God, the Lord is One.”.
Jesus himself quotes this verse in the New Testamenet scriptures. He is asked, in the Gospel of Mark, what is the greatest commandment. He replies with the “Shema” – “Hear O Israel, the Lord Thy God, the Lord is One.”
The Shabbat typically begins (on Friday evening) with candle-lighting and “Kiddush”. The Sabbath table is set with two candles (or more), a special kiddush cup is filled to the rim with wine or grape juice, and two loaves of challah bread.
Officially, the candle-lighting blessing should occur 18 minutes before sunset on Friday. The Torah forbids “kindling a fire” on the Sabbath, so the day is marked by lighting a candle immediately before it begins, and ends with lighting a candle at the Havdalah service (see below).
One of the most loved songs of Friday night is “Lecha Dodi”, which literally means “Come My Beloved”. The theme of this song is the bride and bridegroom – the Jewish people and God. It was composed in 1571 by Rabbi Shlomo HaLevi Alkabetz, renowned for his wisdom and poetry.
Havdalah is a brief ceremony that marks the end of the Sabbath. It comes from the word “l’havdil” which means to distinguish or separate. Three blessing are recited as part of this service: 1) The blessing over the wine, 2) the blessing of the spices, and 3) the blessings over the fire (a special multi-wicked Havdalah candle it lit).
The short Havdalah service includes three brachot (blessings). The first is over a cup overflowing with wine (or grape juice). The second is over spices, which remind us of the sweet smell of the Sabbath which is now departing till next week. The third is over the fire/light of a special multi-wicked candle-stick.
The brief Havdalah ceremony typically concludes with the song “Eliyahu HaNavi” (Elijah the Prophet). The song goes as follows: “Elijah the Prophet, Elijah the Tishbite, Elijah, Elijah, Elijah the Gileadite, Speedily and in our days, Come to us, With the messiah, son of David, With the messiah, son of David.
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