The Shabbat Tent

Friday night Shabbat dinner was always special for me as a kid, and I have enjoyed sharing this custom with my two little kids, who are 2.5 years old and 9 months old. The Shabbat Tent adds an extra special dimension to the evening. The first time I did this I told my older son to look forward to a special surprise for dessert. After dinner I dramatically asked, “Are you ready for the surprise?” He smiled excitedly. I went into the other room and returned with our beach tent, popped it open, and shouted, “It’s the Shabbat Tent!” He squealed with delight. (It doesn’t take much to entertain a toddler!) I put the Shabbat Tent on our apartment terrace where we could see the sky. We ate our dessert in the tent, played with toys, and read books. We waited to spot three stars in the sky to mark the official start of Shabbat. This last week, before Shabbat dinner, we did a craft project where we cut out three stars from construction paper and strung them up on the tent. I wrote the words “Love,” “Peace,” and “Hope” on the stars in English and Hebrew. When my kids getA writ of divorce. Traditionally, only a man can grant his wife a get. Liberal Jews have amended this tradition, making divorce more egalitarian. older I will ask them to write a word or phrase that makes them happy on their star, something they hope for, or something they are grateful for this week.

This practice can be done with adults or kids of any age. It could be fun to do with kids at summer camp or at home. Now that I’ve done it a few times, I’ve found it’s a way to encourage family connection and fun. Especially when the week can be stressful, balancing work and parenting, I now look forward to this special time, and so does my son. The Shabbat Tent reminds me of the concept of sukkat shalom, a sukkahLit. hut or booth A temporary hut constructed outdoors for use during Sukkot, the autumn harvest festival. Many Jews observe the mitzvah of living in the Sukkah for the week of Sukkot, including taking their meals and sleeping in the Sukkah. of peace, the embracing wings of the ShekhinahThe feminine name of God, expounded upon in the rabbinic era and then by the Kabbalists in extensive literature on the feminine attributes of the divine. who we invite into our homes on Shabbat. The tent is a physical reminder for us to take time to be close to our loved ones and to ourselves. It is a symbol of safety, love, and inclusion.

The Ritual

1. You can use any kind of tent or build a fort with blankets. This ritual can be done in the living room, but would be extra fun outdoors in a backyard or on a terrace during warmer weather. I like to put pillows in the tent, along with dolls or stuffed animals, our “Shabbat guests.”