Friday Evening

Friday night is a festive occasion—a time to slow down, eat well, sing, and engage deeply with one another. Traditionally, we welcome the Sabbath bride by lighting candles, reciting Kiddush, and saying a blessing over challah. We bless the children among us and some of us turn to bless each other. We sing a song to welcome angels and welcome guests to our table. Some people find Shabbat peace in simply joining together to watch a movie or play a game. As we gather with loved ones or take time for ourselves, Friday night offers us the opportunity to look back on the week that has passed. We begin to slow down and unwind as we open to the peace of Shabbat.

Latest Rituals

18 Shabbat Blessings for Peace in Israel and in Palestine

A new Shabbat practice created to share light with all of whom are suffering unjustly.

candle lighting, Gaza, Israel, peace, war

two shabbat candles are lit as someone's hands wave in the light of Shabbat

Women of Light: A Meditation on the Power and Meaning of Shabbat Candlelighting

A beautiful kavannah (intention) for lighting Shabbat candles.

Biblical women, candle lighting, matriarchs, sarah, Shabbat

split screen of two photos, one of light-skinned woman with short brown hair, hands open over lit shabbat candles, second image same woman has her hands over her face blessing the shabbat candles

Turning Point: A Poem for Ma’ariv Aravim

“And the darkness of evening becomes the light of Shabbat…”

Shabbat, twilight

a starry twilight sky

Sharing Shabbat With Neighbors

“The nearby porch clutter did not diminish their / prayers, inspiring my own return to Shabbat.”

at the shabbat table, neighbors, Shabbat

Shabbat candles and wine set on a white tablecloth

Welcoming Shabbat

“the door will open, / the Shekhinah and her entourage of angels / will enter our temple in time.”

angels, candles, prayer, Shekhinah

a white doves lifts its wings to fly

Dollar Bread Shabbat Blessing

at the shabbat table, essential workers, poverty, Shabbat, work

tearing a piece of white bread

The Solace of Shabbat

A poem on the inconsistency of time passing.

aging, Shabbat, time

roses in hazy summer sunlight

Why I Unplug On Shabbat

“It’s the kavanah of Shabbat, / not the halakha / which moves me.”

intention, kavanah, nature

deer on forest path

The Ruakh of Shabbat

“Shabbat holds / Herself open. / All we need do / Is breathe, / And receive Her.”

breath, ruakh, Shabbat

woman's arm reaching out against a blurred background of trees

Reclaiming Our Hidden Light (Or Ganuz): A Shabbat Candle Lighting Ritual

New ritual and meditations after Shabbat candle lighting

candle lighting, meditation, Shabbat

split screen of two photos, one of light-skinned woman with short brown hair, hands open over lit shabbat candles, second image same woman has her hands over her face blessing the shabbat candles