Shabbat Friday – A Weekly Appointment with Gratitude
- June 10, 2011 |
- by Laurie David
The Shabbat table is filled with the symbols of Jewish history, but they are just as relevant today. The candlesticks, the challah, the wine all represent contemporary goals: a regularly scheduled moment to pause, express gratitude for the food we eat, to bless our children and one another. Whatever your religion, the core truths are universal: gratitude for all that we have, compassion for those who have less, family togetherness, peace in the home, love and hope for the future.
There are a number of rituals that are relevant for your family dinner regardless of your religion:
1. Blessing over the candles, wine and challah. If you don’t celebrate Shabbat, just putting some candles on your table will make it that much more special. (And a little wine is always nice too!)
2. Gratitudes — Go around the table and everyone shares something that they are grateful for.
3. Highs and low — Go around the table, everyone shares their high and/or low from the week.
4. Tzedaka (charity) — A special box is used to collect everyone’s loose change for those in need. When the box if full, the family decides on a worthy cause to contribute it to.
This was a really nice post. We do Shabbat on most Fridays, my kids love to sing songs after the prayers. I like the idea about the highs and lows of the week, we will try that this week. Thanks.