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Friday Evening

Wine, candles, and challah bread partially covered with an embroidered cloth on a table.

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

Prayer for our country

Aerial view of a vast harvested field with scattered hay bales, bordered by distant mountains under a clear sky.

A blessing and rituals for turning off devices before Shabbat

Three people sitting cross-legged on the floor, meditating with closed eyes in a serene setting.

A prayer for blessing oneself on Erev Shabbat

Person holding hands up to a vibrant sunset over the ocean, with waves gently lapping the shore.

A Shabbat meditation on creation and rest

A person sits cross-legged on grass, smiling and enjoying the sunlight in a serene park setting.

A song praising the Shekhinah

a person stands on a beach with arms open wide

Kiddush: Humanist liturgy

Person holding a colorful painted cup, wearing a black shirt with curly hair visible in the background.

Humanist candle lighting blessings

Challah, candles, wine bottle, goblet, and cloth on a wooden table with a dark background.

Breathe in and welcome the Shabbat Bride

Person on a boat at sunset, gazing at the ocean and distant mountains.

Guided meditation focused on the flames of the Shabbat candles

Person with open hands silhouetted against an ocean sunset.

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