Shabbat is a day of rest that lasts from sundown on Friday evening through nightfall on Saturday night. In addition to a plethora of things that observant Jews will famously not do on Shabbat (such as driving, working, or turning on a light switch), there are a host of things we do do in order to “make the Shabbat a delight” (in the words of Isaiah 58:13).
A big part of the “delight” of Shabbat is the enjoyment of three Shabbat meals, mainly the first two—Friday night dinner and Shabbat lunch—that are elegantly prepared, preceded by the sipping of ceremonial kiddush wine and the breaking of traditional challah bread, and lingered over with songs, inspiring thoughts and camaraderie.
If you are a woman attending a Friday night meal, Mushkie will invite you to come early, before Shabbat starts at sundown, so that you can join her for candle-lighting. If you do this, the time spent between candle-lighting and eating will likely be filled with a combination of chatting, preparing for the meal, or just simply relaxing on the couch.
If you are a man, dinner is preceded by services in the synagogue. Even if you don’t generally attend synagogue, Rabbi Motti always invites everyone for services. You can consider joining him that particular week, and then simply walk home with him afterwards.
The highlight of the night is Mushkie’s delicious 4 course dinner topped off with her home-made Challah!
Rabbi Motti & Mushkie host Shabbat dinners almost every week of the year for 10-15 Young Jewish Professionals. If you would like to join us, just click here to contact us!