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.".
Even the New Testament quotes the Shema. In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus is asked by a scribe "What is the greatest commandment". He replied with the "Shema".
Jewish events are almost always marked by several "brachot" or "blessings". Since kindling of fire is forbidden on the Sabbath, the week is ended with candle-lighting, and then again the Sabbath is concluded with candle-lighting. The lighting of the fire indicates a separate between the holy and the common (or the secular and the profane).
The candle-lighting on Friday evening occurs 18 minutes before sunset. The prayer "Ner Shel Shabbat" is usually said by the lady of the house. This is followed by Kiddush, which includes blessings over the wine and the bread.
The Sabbath is often greeted by the singing of an ancient prayer called "Lecha Dodi". The title of the song literally means "Come My Beloved". In this ancient Kabbalistic song, the sabbath is referred to as "a bride".
Many other songs and prayers fill the Sabbath, which is concluded Saturday evening with a brief ceremony called "Havdalah". It should be performed no earlier than nightfall (when three stars can be seen in the sky) on Saturday night. The word itself comes from the Hebrew word "L'HAVDIL", meaning to separate or to distinguish.
The wine cup is filled to overflowing, symbolizing the joy of the Sabbath day. The spices remind us of the sweetness of the Sabbath, which departs for another six days. The spices commonly used are cloves, cinnamon or bay leaves. They are commonly kept in a special decorated holder called a b'samim box.
Havdalah ends with a song about Elijah called "Eliyahu HaNavi" (Elijah the Prophet). Elijah's name is involved in the hopes that he will come to usher in the final eternal Shabbat of the Messianic Age. It ends with the words: "Come to us, With the messiah, son of David. - 15615
Even the New Testament quotes the Shema. In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus is asked by a scribe "What is the greatest commandment". He replied with the "Shema".
Jewish events are almost always marked by several "brachot" or "blessings". Since kindling of fire is forbidden on the Sabbath, the week is ended with candle-lighting, and then again the Sabbath is concluded with candle-lighting. The lighting of the fire indicates a separate between the holy and the common (or the secular and the profane).
The candle-lighting on Friday evening occurs 18 minutes before sunset. The prayer "Ner Shel Shabbat" is usually said by the lady of the house. This is followed by Kiddush, which includes blessings over the wine and the bread.
The Sabbath is often greeted by the singing of an ancient prayer called "Lecha Dodi". The title of the song literally means "Come My Beloved". In this ancient Kabbalistic song, the sabbath is referred to as "a bride".
Many other songs and prayers fill the Sabbath, which is concluded Saturday evening with a brief ceremony called "Havdalah". It should be performed no earlier than nightfall (when three stars can be seen in the sky) on Saturday night. The word itself comes from the Hebrew word "L'HAVDIL", meaning to separate or to distinguish.
The wine cup is filled to overflowing, symbolizing the joy of the Sabbath day. The spices remind us of the sweetness of the Sabbath, which departs for another six days. The spices commonly used are cloves, cinnamon or bay leaves. They are commonly kept in a special decorated holder called a b'samim box.
Havdalah ends with a song about Elijah called "Eliyahu HaNavi" (Elijah the Prophet). Elijah's name is involved in the hopes that he will come to usher in the final eternal Shabbat of the Messianic Age. It ends with the words: "Come to us, With the messiah, son of David. - 15615
About the Author:
Learn more about Sabbath songs and prayers at our
