The idea of Shabbat is to take a break from ordinary life and focus on family, community, and spiritual growth. Shabbat’s arrival, on Friday night just before sundown, is marked with a special candle-lighting ceremony. Most families follow that up with prayers over wine and challah. You can find those prayers here along with an audio version by Robyn Shippel from her CD “Shabbat Rocks.”
The Candles
As the sun sets and Shabbat begins, the candles are lit and these words are recited:
בָּרוּך אַתָּה אַדָנָי אֱלהֵינוּ מֶלֶך הָעוֹלָם אַשֶׁר קִדְשָנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו וְצִוָנוּ לְהַדְלִיק נֵר שֶל שַבָּת
Barukh ata Adonai, Eloheinu Melekh ha-olam,
asher kidshanu bemitzvotav vitzivanu
l’hadlik ner shel Shabbat.
Blessed are You, God, Ruler of the universe,
who sanctified us with the commandment
of lighting Shabbat candles.
Kiddush: Wine or Grape Juice
The person or people saying kiddush raises the cup and recites:
בָּרוּך אַתָּה אַדָנָי אֱלהֵינוּ מֶלֶך הָעוֹלָם בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הַגָּפֶן
Barukh ata Adonai, Eloheinu Melekh ha-olam,
borei peri hagafen.
Blessed are You, God, Ruler of the universe,
Who creates the fruit of the vine.
Motzei: Challah or bread
This prayer is traditionally recited over two loaves of bread or challah:
בָּרוּך אַתָּה אַדָנָי אֱלהֵינוּ מֶלֶך הָעוֹלָם הָמוֹציא לֶחם מן הַארץ
Barukh ata Adonai, Eloheinu Melekh ha-olam,
hamotzee lehem min ha’aretz.
Blessed are You, God, Ruler of the universe,
Who creates bread from the earth.
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