ONETABLE
EARTHDAY SHABBAT D I N N E R
GUIDE FOR THE FULL ONETABLE SHABBAT DINNER GUIDE, VISIT: ONETABLE.ORG/WHY-SHABBAT-DINNER
ORDER OF OPERATIONS 1. Light: Officially end the workweek and welcome the weekend with the light of two or more candles. 2. Sanctify: Wine serves as a conduit to sanctify the seventh day of the week, the time of Shabbat, as “other,� set apart from the daily grind of the other six days. 3. Nourish: Breaking bread makes a meal, and Shabbat is a time to enjoy a special braided bread called challah that just might steal the show.
REPAIR THE EARTH DAY Two of our Friday night Shabbat rituals include things that come from nature: wine and bread and for that we give gratitude to the earth. The third ritual, the light from the candles that fills our room, reminds us to always bring an intention to light dark places, to repair what is broken, wherever we go. Reflect on Shabbat and the meaning of Earth Day with this ritual guide. Hurricane Harvey engulfed Houston on August 27th 2017. It was the third storm to hit Houston in a two-year period and is the second costliest US disaster in recorded history. ActNowHouston offers groups the opportunity to make a difference in Houston's recovery at no program cost and with significant subsidies for travel. For more information on how you can register to help with ActNowHouston please visit: werepair.org/act-now-houston
light Creation began with the words “let there be light.” Candle lighting sets Shabbat apart from the rest of the week. The lighting of the candles can also serve as a reminder to us to let our inner light shine, even in times where the world may feel dark. “Every person must know and understand that within burns a candle, and no one’s candle is identical with the candle of another, and there is no human being without a candle. So everyone must know and understand that one is obligated to work hard to reveal the light of one’s candle in the public realm for the benefit of the many. One needs to ignite one’s candle and make of it a great torch to enlighten the world.” - Rav Kook Go around the room and have your guests share - what is your inner light that you can share with the world?
what you'll need CANDLES AND CANDLESTICKS – try for at least two, but this is a place to experiment; some folks like to light two candles per home, others light two per person. MATCHES – a lighter also works, but we prefer matches for the olfactory effect. SAFE PLACE TO LET 'EM BURN – ideally your Shabbat candles will burn out on their own over the course of the evening, but do blow them out if you’re heading out after dinner.
light
Hebrew .בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו וְצִוָּנוּ לְהַדְלִיק נֵר שֶׁל שַׁבָּת Transliteration Baruch Atah Adonai Eloheinu Melech ha’olam asher kidshanu b’mitzvotav vitzivanu l’hadlik ner shel Shabbat. Translation Option 1 Blessed are You, Infinite One, who makes us holy through our actions and honors us with the light of Shabbat. Translation Option 2 Blessed are You, Lord our God, Ruler of the universe, who commands us to kindle the light of Shabbat.
sanctify The traditional kiddush includes an introductory passage taken directly from the book of Genesis. After creating the world and seeing that it was good, the Infinite One paused to reflect on all that had been created in six days before resting on and sanctifying the seventh day. Gathering around the Shabbat table is an opportunity for us all to pause and reflect on the week. Ask your guests to turn to their neighbor and share: What was good in your world in the past week? What is an intention that you want to set for the upcoming week to rebuild the pieces of the world that may be broken?
what you'll need TASTY BEVERAGE - the traditional go-to is the fruit of the vine, wine or grape juice. KIDDUSH CUP - your favorite cup, a cup reserved for this purpose, not your everyday cup.
sanctify
Hebrew . בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ מְקַדֵּשׁ הַשַׁבָּת.בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הַגָּפֶן Transliteration Baruch Atah Adonai Eloheinu Melech ha’olam borei p’ri ha’gafen. Baruch Atah Adonai m’kadesh ha’Shabbat. Translation Option 1 Blessed are You, Infinite One, Creator of the fruit of the vine. Blessed are You, Infinite One, Who sanctifies Shabbat. Translation Option 2 Blessed are You, Lord our God, Ruler of the universe, Creator of the fruit of the vine. Blessed are You, Lord our God, Who sanctifies Shabbat.
nourish In the blessing over the challah we quite literally thank the Infinite One for bringing forth the bread from the earth. Although it would make Shabbat dinner prep much easier, we are unfortunately not able to pull our beautiful challah directly from the earth. Take a moment of reflection and gratitude with your guests around the table. What are the steps that were taken in order for the meal to get from the earth to your table? Try to see how many steps you can come up with.
what you'll need BREAD - preferably challah because it’s delicious in every conceivable way. But don’t stress — any bread will do. Two full loaves is ideal. Small crowd? Waste not! Serve up two pitas or two dinner rolls. Whatever kind of bread you use, take it out of its packaging and place it on its own plate on the table. CHALLAH COVER - any kind of cover to place over your bread, from a napkin on short notice to an ornate embroidered cloth. SALT
nourish
Hebrew . הַמּוֹצִיא לֶחֶם מִן הָאָרֶץ,בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶֽלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם Transliteration Baruch Atah Adonai Eloheinu Melech ha’olam ha’motzi lechem min ha’aretz. Translation Option 1 Blessed are You, Infinite One, Who brings forth bread from the earth. Translation Option 2 Blessed are You, Lord our God, Ruler of the universe, Who brings forth bread from the earth. Reflection Challah is one of the three things for which God created the world. Bamidbar Rabbah 15 "On Shabbat, challah represents a taste of tikkun olam, the possibility of the world restored." - The Maharal of Prague