Deuteronomy 6:4 says "Hear O Israel, the Lord Thy God, the Lord is One.". Since the following verses speak of reciting these words when you lie down and when you get up, the Hebrew "Shema" prayer is said both morning and evening.
Even the New Testament quotes the Shema. In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus is asked by a scribe "What is the greatest commandment". He replied with the "Shema".
Brachot, or blessings, are associated with almost every Jewish event. The sabbath begins Friday evening, when the "bracha" (blessing) is said over the lighting of two (or more candles). This is followed by a short blessing over a cup of wine, and then the bread.
The candle-lighting on Friday evening occurs 18 minutes before sunset. The prayer "Ner Shel Shabbat" is usually said by the lady of the house. This is followed by Kiddush, which includes blessings over the wine and the bread.
"Lecha Dodi" is a song sung on Friday evening to greet "the Sabbath Queen". Literally, the phrase means "Come My Beloved". The Sabbath itself is referred to as a "bride" in this song.
Havdalah is a brief ceremony that marks the end of the Sabbath. It comes from the word "l'havdil" which means to distinguish or separate. Three blessing are recited as part of this service: 1) The blessing over the wine, 2) the blessing of the spices, and 3) the blessings over the fire (a special multi-wicked Havdalah candle it lit).
The wine cup is filled to overflowing, symbolizing the joy of the Sabbath day. The spices remind us of the sweetness of the Sabbath, which departs for another six days. The spices commonly used are cloves, cinnamon or bay leaves. They are commonly kept in a special decorated holder called a b'samim box.
Havdalah ends with a song about Elijah called "Eliyahu HaNavi" (Elijah the Prophet). Elijah's name is involved in the hopes that he will come to usher in the final eternal Shabbat of the Messianic Age. It ends with the words: "Come to us, With the messiah, son of David. - 16928
Even the New Testament quotes the Shema. In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus is asked by a scribe "What is the greatest commandment". He replied with the "Shema".
Brachot, or blessings, are associated with almost every Jewish event. The sabbath begins Friday evening, when the "bracha" (blessing) is said over the lighting of two (or more candles). This is followed by a short blessing over a cup of wine, and then the bread.
The candle-lighting on Friday evening occurs 18 minutes before sunset. The prayer "Ner Shel Shabbat" is usually said by the lady of the house. This is followed by Kiddush, which includes blessings over the wine and the bread.
"Lecha Dodi" is a song sung on Friday evening to greet "the Sabbath Queen". Literally, the phrase means "Come My Beloved". The Sabbath itself is referred to as a "bride" in this song.
Havdalah is a brief ceremony that marks the end of the Sabbath. It comes from the word "l'havdil" which means to distinguish or separate. Three blessing are recited as part of this service: 1) The blessing over the wine, 2) the blessing of the spices, and 3) the blessings over the fire (a special multi-wicked Havdalah candle it lit).
The wine cup is filled to overflowing, symbolizing the joy of the Sabbath day. The spices remind us of the sweetness of the Sabbath, which departs for another six days. The spices commonly used are cloves, cinnamon or bay leaves. They are commonly kept in a special decorated holder called a b'samim box.
Havdalah ends with a song about Elijah called "Eliyahu HaNavi" (Elijah the Prophet). Elijah's name is involved in the hopes that he will come to usher in the final eternal Shabbat of the Messianic Age. It ends with the words: "Come to us, With the messiah, son of David. - 16928
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