We've made it through another week. There is much in the news and yet Am Yisrael continues, thank G-d. Friday means time to prepare for Shabbat and what better way than to get into the mood with a beautiful video of photographs in conjunction with Eishet Chayil. "A Woman of Valor who can find?" Proverbs 31 written by Shlomo HaMelech (King Solomon) the son of David HaMelech (King David). King Solomon was the 3rd King of Israel and merited to build the first Beis HaMikdash.
Enjoy the beautiful singing, let it enter your heart and help you to prepare a beautiful Shabbat with joy and hope for our speedy redemption.
Do you have your menu prepared? Is your house clean and ready? Do you have fresh clean clothes to wear? If not, you have today to get this together but remember in Israel, the clocks turned back so Shabbat comes in earlier. Make sure you have the time right for candle lighting.
It's Friday and time to prepare for the upcoming Shabbat. No matter how hard things are at present, we as Jews have Shabbat. We invite you to enjoy this YouTube video presented by the U.K. Shabbat Project. - Sing Shabbat, Join my Song -- Love Shabbat, Keep it Strong!
What are you doing for Shabbat this week? Wherever you are, may it be filled with all the goodness, peace and beauty of Shabbat. If you have not experienced a full Shabbat before, contact your nearest Chabad Centre or Synagogue and ask if you can be invited to join a family who keeps Shabbat. Remember, there are many, many laws involved in keeping Shabbat correctly. If you are ready to learn, do be in touch with Chessed Ve'Emet, you can learn at your own pace individually or in a group. Shiurim are offered online and in person.
What are your thoughts for today? Some think of it as Friday while some think more of tomorrow, i.e. Shabbat. Either way, it's time to say:
It's quite a special Shabbat this week.
This week is Shabbat of Chanukah and a time to remember the miracle of the oil that remained burning for 8 days while new oil was prepared to light the Menorah. It's also Shabbat Mevorach meaning the last Shabbat of the month of Kislev and the time to recite a prayer to bless the coming month. Next month will be the month of Tevet.
The image above of the Holy Temple is a reminder of this special time and what Chanukah represents. It's also a reminder that when the Temple stands in it's proper place, there is blessing that flows from there to the rest of the world. Just like on the last Shabbat of the month we pray for peace, blessings and good things for the month ahead, so too, the prayers and holy services that takes place in the Temple is all aimed at bring peace and blessing from Jerusalem out to the rest of the world. What a very special concept.
Shabbat in Jerusalem is starting to come in a tiny bit later again. Candle lighting this week is 16h03 (in Jerusalem - if you live elsewhere in Israel, please check the correct candle lighting time for you). Remember to light your Chanukah candles before lighting your Shabbat candles leaving enough time for all the blessings and songs if you sing them. Approximately 5 minutes is needed to complete the Chanukah candle lighting and be ready to light your Shabbat candles.
Shabbat Shalom U'Mevorach and Chanukah Somayach to all.
A reader asked if one can spell Shabbat with an "o" The word Shabbat is from the spelling in Hebrew שבת
The vowels in Hebrew are as we spell Shabbat, with two vowels of "a", "a" sounding uh.
If one wishes to greet someone in Yiddish, or with an Ashkenazi pronounciation then Shabbat is pronounced Shabbos, in which case there is an "o".
If you are now totally confused and wish to understand further, do visit us at Chessed Ve'Emet. We offer Torah learning online and in person and would be happy to answer your questions, including how to write or pronounce important words such as Shabbat.
It has been a few weeks since we posted about the weather in Israel and Jerusalem in particular. We are happy to say there has been much rain. Windy days too. At this moment on Friday morning the rain has subsided and the wind is still active. There are predictions for rain to continue this afternoon and for snow for Jerusalem tonight and tomorrow, ie over Shabbos.
So if you are visiting Jerusalem and walking to friends, family or kind and caring hosts for your Shabbos meals do make sure to bundle up. If you live in Jerusalem, you can bundele up too, :). You just may be walking in the snow either to or from Shul or your meals. If it falls later on, take care when going to Shul in the morning.
There are a few Hallachos for snow on Shabbos. If snow falls on your clothing, you can gently shake off unmolten snow. If it falls on a waterproof raincoat, you can shake off the snow more vigorously. It is not permitted to make snow balls or a snow man if the snow settles sufficiently. Snow itself is not Muktze, however we can not mould it into any shape on Shabbos. Remember, no photographing on Shabbos either, even if the snow flakes are beautiful or fun or the white on the roof tops or at the Kotel is impressive and a picture. The snow comes from Hashem and He requests us to observe the Shabbat.
So if there is snow fall this Shabbos, enjoy the beauty and the clean white snowflakes, but remember to follow the laws for Shabbos.
The last few weeks of rain has had a positive effect on the level of the Kinert. In the last few days there has been a rise of 5 cm. The level of the Kineret is currently -212.83m and 82cm above what it was this time last year.
Keep up the davening and good deeds. We want the Kineret to be full to the appropriate level that there is no flooding but we have the quanitiy of water required to take us out of danger zone.
Shabbat Shalom, Good Shabbos, Gut Shabbos - all acceptable ways to greet your fellow Jew for Shabbat
This week 2 December 2011 and next week 9 December 2011, candle lighting in Jerusalem for Shabbat will be the earliest it gets during winter time. This will be 15h55 or 3.55 p.m. From the 16th of December the candle lighting time begins to gradually go later, beginning with 15h57 or 3.57 p.m. Please note these times are according to Chabad.org. For those who prefer to follow the times set out in Devar Be'Ito, this week and next will be 16h00 or 4 pm instead of 5 minutes earlier as Chabad.org states.
If you light earlier, let it be a blessing but make sure not to light earlier than Plug HaMinchah which for Jerusalem this week will be 15h36 or 3.36 p.m.
Please check your calendar to make absoutely sure or ask your local Orthodox Rabbi to clarrify the correct candle lighting time.
Please note, times for Tel Aviv, Haifa and elsewhere are not the same as for Jerusalem even though we are in a small country.
Enjoy the shorter Fridays if you do. Keep warm and keep up your Tefillos for rain. We still have a few months of winter and the Kineret is no where near the level of water that is needed.
It looks like winter has arrived. The weather is colder, in Jerusalem it was raining today. Yes, the Kineret's water level is important. Actually, I dont know the latest measurement, but the last I found states that the water level of the Kinert is - 213.67m, -67cm below the lower red line.
If one considers that a ruler is 30 cm, the amount of water below the red line is over two rulers worth. Multiply that my the full surface area of the Kineret and that is quite a lot of water required.
You got it, keep up the davening, we want that water level rising this year.
Weather reports state thunder storms are expected for Shabbos, so make sure to have your Siddur with you with the Brachah for thunder and recite the Brachah when hearing the thunder.
Well, it's Thursday again so time to begin Shabbos preparations if you have not already begun.
We hope you have had a good and blessed week and are feeling settled in this precious Land.
Remember candle lighting is earlier again this week. In Jerusalem, candle lighting times will be:
If you are in another area of Eretz Yisrael, please make sure you have the correct time to light your Shabbat Candles. For other areas of the world, you need the correct time for there too.
Shabbat Times can be found on Chabad.org follow the link and select the city for where you will be.
It is Thursday, time to begin preparing for Shabbos again. The weather has been just gloroius or has it?
Soft sunshine, wispy clouds, beautiful sunrises and sunsets. But this time of year our thoughts are not of sunshine, not in Eretz Yisrael anyway. Our thoughts are of the need for rain and to fill the Kineret.
Recent reports state that the level of the Kineret is either -213.645m or -213.65m. It is 26 cm higher than it was this time last year, but we have a long way to go.
We don't want to wait till the end of winter for a sunden downpour that is more like floods and removes valuable top soil. We need a gradual, steady, gentle rain that fills the Kineret and all other water supplies to our precious land.
So keep on Davening, keep up the Mitzvos. May we be blessed this year with ALL the rain we need in the proper time.
From time to time we take a look at what brings others to our blog. What are you the reader looking for, searching for? What will help your Aliyah and Klita to be more successful.
A common phrase looked for in various variations has to do with Shabbat Shalom, Good Shabbos or how to wish a fellow Jew for Shabbat. Here are a few answers we hope will satisfy you. If you still have questions, please post a comment, we love feedback and are always happy to answer questions or to post an article to help find answers to your questions.
Shabbat is the seventh day of the week. According to the Torah, G-d created the world, universe and everything that is in 6 days and on the seventh day He rested. He gave a commandment to Jews to rest on this day too.
Shabbat is this seventh day and it is Hebrew. Shabbos is the way that Ashkenazi Jews pronounce the Hebrew word Shabbat, following a certain rule to pronounce the final letter as a 's' sound rather than a 't'. Those who speak Yiddish call the day Shabbos too.
Shalom means hello or peace or complete from the Hebrew word Shaleim, complete. Hence a common greating is Shabbat Shalom, may your Shabbat be peaceful and complete.
Good Shabbos probably comes from the Yiddish greeting which would be "Gut Shabbos". Wishing the other that their Shabbat day be good.
To answer the question as to how to greet a Jew for Shabbat. In terms of words used, Shabbat Shalom, Good Shabbos, Gut Shabbos, A Gutten Shabbos are all appropriate greetings. In terms of the how, it is best to greet a Jew with a smile and happy countenance always and Shabbat is no exception.
For those wanting to know how this is written in Hebrew, Shabbat is שבת
Shalom is שלום
And together you get Shabbat Shalom or שבת שלום
The following story, as narrated in the book "The Taryag Mitzvos" by Rabbi A.Y. Kahan, brought down in "Shaarei Yitzhak" is a true story concerning a certain unnamed tzaddik. The story took place over 1200 years ago in Eretz Yisrael.
"Seeing the miserable plight of the many Jewish families living in Jerusalem, where poverty stared out from every doorway, the leaders of the Sefardic community finally came to the conclusion that they must do something to come to the aid of their people. They decided to send a representative from amongst themselves who would travel to faraway cities to raise money for the poor Yerushalmi families.
Since such a journey involved many dangers and difficulties, the tzaddik chosen went to Chevron to pray to Hashem that he should have a safe and successful trip. While in Chevron he was fortunate to find a caravan of Arabs who were about to set out on a long trip through the desert of Etzyon Gover, the direction the tzaddik intended to travel. Before joining them, the tzaddik clarified one condition- no travelling on Shabbat. In order to ensure their compliance, the tzaddik paid the leader of the caravan a large amount of money. The caravan leader agreed and they set out on their journey.
When Erev Shabbos came, the tzaddik approached the leader and reminded him of their agreement. The leader replied, "Do you really expect me to halt such a large caravan of camels and their riders for a single Jew who wants to relax and idle away the day? You can't be serious!"
The tzaddik was stunned, they had an agreement, such a reaction he did not expect. Now he was faced with a dilemma. Should he continue to travel with the caravan on Shabbos or remain alone in the dangerous wilderness,in order to not desecrate the Shabbos. Well aware of the sacredness of his mission and the holiness of Shabbos, which when faithfully observed, is equivalent to performing all the other mitzvos of the Torah, the tzaddik felt confident in his heart that Hashem would guard him from danger and decided to remain behind.After removing his pack containing his belongings, he settled himself down and began making preparations for Shabbat.Meanwhile the caravan continued on its way and soon it was no more visible than a distant speck on the vast desert horizon.
Now the tzaddik placed a white cloth on the sand, set down his 2 challos, some salt, a small flask of wine and his becher (Kiddush cup). Then, he put on his Shabbos garments. The orange gold sun had begun to set. The tzaddik was ready to begin davening Kabbolos Shabbos, when he suddenly sensed that he was not alone. He turned around …. And almost fainted from fright, as he found himself face to face with a huge lion. The man stood petrified and said quietly,
"" בידך אפקיד רוחי In Your (Hashem's) hand, I commit my spirit. Only You can rescue my soul"
After a few moments, he realized that the lion had not moved an inch from the place where it stood, as if to say, "I am here to guard and protect you from any harm"
The tzaddik started to daven and the lion did not move. He recited Kiddush, washed his hands for netilas yadayim, said the Hamotzi on the challos and sang beautiful Shabbos zemiros (songs) which echoed in the stillness of the night. And all this time the great lion did not budge, but merely stood gazing at him with a gentle look of a kitten. Thus, he conducted his Shabbos meal, feeling as though he were in Gan Eiden. Eventually he became so relaxed in the presence of his unusual guest that during the Melava Malka, he even offered the friendly lion a taste of the challah and the fish from which he had eaten.
Upon completing the Melva Malka seudah (meal), as the tzaddik finished bentching (brachah after eating a meal that contains bread), something surprising happened. The lion suddenly lowered its head and body as if to invite the tzaddik to mount its back. By now he realized that his was no ordinary lion, so after gathering together his belongings, the tzaddik climbed onto the lions back. In moments, they were off into the night. Swiftly and smoothly the great lion carried the tzaddik, mile after sandy mile, past all the dangers of the desert which lurked along the way. As they rode onward, the tzaddiks lips whispered his thanks to Hashem, and in his heart he joyfully praised Him for the tremendous miracle which He had done for him.
By daybreak, they had caught up with the caravan. As the tzaddik dismounted from the lion, the members of the Arab caravan stared in shock and disbelief at that which their eyes beheld. Could this be possible?! Then the lion strode over to the leader of the caravan and let out an angry, thunderous roar which sent shivers up and down the spines of all present. As the tzaddik walked calmly to his camel, the rest of the passengers stared at him with awe and admiration. It was now clear to them that this was a G-dly man who had merited Divine intervention.
From this true story you can see to what heights a person who sincerely observes the Shabbat can rise, so that even the kind of the wild beasts will come to guard him, as it is written in Bereishis 9:2
ומוראכםוחתכםיהיהעלכלחיתהארץ"'And the fear and dread of You shall be upon every beast of the earth' "
This Shabbat will be Tu B'Shvat, the New Year for the trees. It is a special festival in Israel, usually marked by plating of new trees and eating new fruits. Since this year, Tu B'Shvat falls on Shabbat, we will not be able to plant trees or other new plants on the day itself.
Some may plant today, prior to Shabbat, others may delay and plant young trees on Sunday.
You may wonder why the supermarkets, makoliot (corner cafe's) and the markets have an increase of fruits and dried fruits. Tu B'Shvat will be the reason. Some have the custom for a specific seder enjoying the new fruits for spring and 4 cups of wine, others just enjoy the fruits, either way it is generally a happy time and a productive one.
When one lives outside of Israel, we often hear statements / questions like - "When is it Friday?" " Is it Friday yet?" "How long till the weekend?" "TGIF - or Thank G-d it's Friday!"
Of course, these questions and statements are all related to longing for the 2 day weekend to enjoy doing what you want to do. Whether it is a braai / barbeque; or a hike or a camping trip or a visit to the movies or...... the list is endless but the meaning is the same. I don't want to be here working, I want to do what I want to do. I want time to enjoy my friends, family, nature, other interests.
Of course, in recent times, there are actually jobs that take place in weekend hours, crafters who sell at craft markets, those who work in shops or stores, some take work home for the weekend to either catch up or prepare. But the concept is there are 2 days for ... "me!"
In amongst these comments and questions, there are times you might hear "Shabbat Shalom!" but often that might be a sign of your level of observance of Shabbat. Certainly there will be a select few people who you feel comfortable enough to wish "Good Shabbos or Shabbat Shalom" and one often expects to only hear it when attending Shul or Synagogue.
In Israel, the week is very different and there is something very special about this. In Israel, preparation for the end of the week begins already on Tuesday or Wednesday and the preparation is all towards 1 day - Shabbat.
On a Thursday afternoon and into the evening, shops or stores become busy with Shabbos Shoppers and there is a definite change in certain items one can find. There are even certain stores specifically open on Fridays only for all your Shabbat needs from Challah to cakes, chocolates and other tasty treats for this special day.
On Friday's, those who frequent the Shook or market, will find a hub and buzz as shoppers hurriedly purchase the last minute items for their Shabbat guests and family.
One fact that is particularly special is the greeting. No longer is it have a good weekend but Good Shabbos! or Shabbat Shalom! This can come from a taxi driver, bus driver, bank clerk, someone in the post office, a Jew dressed in a manner that let's you know s/he is observant of Torah and mitzvos or a Jew who is dressed in a casual fashion with or without a head covering. It can come even from those you would never dream even know the concept of Shabbat.
It is a very special feeling to be free to greet one another as every Jew should, with Good Shabbos or Shabbat Shalom! It is very special to have one's naming of the days of the week, all related to this one day, and an important reminder that this day is not for "me" but for "G-d and me" together. It is an opportunity to remember what it is to be a Jew. To put aside time to remember our Creator and to spend time either with one's immediate family, with guests, with both of these and / or with reading books that give us inspiration and joy.
We have many more ideas for further articles, stories, experiences to share, but for now, it is time to prepare for Shabbat. So we wish you all a wonderful Friday and a very special and restful Shabbat
