Congregation T'Shuvat Yisrael
Messianic Jewish Tradition: What does the Word say?
Shabbat Blessings and Beginnings
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Sh'ma
Blessing for Lighting the Shabbat Candles... Erev Shabbat
Baruch atah Adonai Eloheynu
melech ha-olam asher kidshanu
b'mitzvotav v'tzivanu l'hadlik
ner shel Shabbat.
Blessed are You, L-rd our G-d,
King of the universe, who has made us holy
by giving us his commandments, and has commanded us to kindle the Shabbat lights.
Baruch atah Adonai Eloheynu
melech ha-olam
boray p'ri ha-gafen.
Blessing for the Shabbat Wine or Juice... fruit of the vine:
Blessed are You, L-rd our G-d,
King of the universe,
who creates the fruit of the vine.
Baruch atah Adonai Eloheynu
melech ha-olam
ha-motzi lechen min ha-eretz
Blessing over
the Challah:
Blessed are You, L-rd our G-d,
King of the universe,
who brings forth bread from the earth.
Blessing over the Children:
To sons and daughters:
Yevaraechecha Adonai ve'yishmerecha;
Ya'er Adonai panav eleicha vichunecha;
Y'sa Adonai panav eilecha ve'yasem lecha shalom.
May the L-rd bless you and keep you;
May the L-rd make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you;
May the L-rd lift up his countenance upon you and grant you peace.
To your sons:
Y'simcha Elohim ke'Efraim Ve'Chimnashe G-d make you like Efraim and Manasheh
To your daughters:
Yeshimech Elohim ke'Sarah, Rivka, Rachel, G-d make you like Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel
Ve'Leah and Leah.
The earliest understanding given us regarding Shabbat is in Genesis 2:2 KJV: "And on the seventh day G-d ended His work, which He had made; and He rested on the seventh day from all His work, which He had made." The Word is describing His response to His own efforts and we get a glimpse at our Father's behavior, not just His majesty and power. It appears that He not only ceased (Ref: Strong's Hebrew Dictionary #7673), but He celebrated: for it was good! It was very good!
We also learn in Exodus 16:29. KJV: "See, for that the L-rd hath given you the Sabbath" He gifted it to us. (Strong's definition #5414 for given is added, appointed or bestowed.) Our Father celebrates on the seventh day and He extends an invitation for us to join Him! Sounds like a wonderful cause for celebration! When the Lord spoke to Moses in Leviticus 23, again He said to appoint to the nation the set Feasts of Adonai, to proclaim them as a gathering (or rehearsal according to Strong's Dictionary definition #4744 for "miqra"; but what 7th day are we rehearsing for? **Hint: "a day is like a thousand years"). Shabbat is always included in the listing of the appointed times or festivals from the Father. These appointed times were to be set aside as a festive holy celebration for us from Him. Our Father appears to be very endeared to the first of everything: the firstfruits, the firstlings of the flocks, the firstborn of the womb, and as said in KJV Romans 8:29 "to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren."
Are you festive in your celebration of Shabbat, His FIRST of appointed times? It is the first holiday given to man and the most often seen of His Feasts? Our Shabbat celebration starts before the sundown of preparation day: the 6th day or Friday. Since we want to make it a celebration, during the week we need to be planning for it. What are our favorite foods? Do we want an intimate celebration or should we invite friends over this Shabbat? Do we have everything that we need? How much preparation can be done ahead of time? Here's some suggestions you might want to start with: two candles in some kind of candleholders, a Kiddush cup (goblet) and wine or juice, Challah (bread) and a meal.
As time goes by and you are able extend your "rehearsal merriment", you'll be adding to your traditional celebration decorations and dishes. Some families have a special dish and cloth covers for the bread, a special tablecloth reserved for Shabbat, flowers or other decorations and a book of Shabbat blessing and songs. Remember... Celebrate!
**The Millenial kingdom is "tomorrow"
Congregation T'Shuvat Yisrael
Shabbat Blessings and Beginnings
