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".
Jewish events are almost always marked by several "brachot" or "blessings". Since kindling of fire is forbidden on the Sabbath, the week is ended with candle-lighting, and then again the Sabbath is concluded with candle-lighting. The lighting of the fire indicates a separate between the holy and the common (or the secular and the profane).
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.
The Sabbath is often greeted by the singing of an ancient prayer called "Lecha Dodi". The title of the song literally means "Come My Beloved". In this ancient Kabbalistic song, the sabbath is referred to as "a bride".
The Havdalah service marks the end of Shabbat. It should be performed no earlier than nightfall on Saturday night. Nightfall is the time when three stars can be seen in the sky. It is normally about 45 minutes to an hour after sundown, depending on your latitude.
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. - 16069
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".
Jewish events are almost always marked by several "brachot" or "blessings". Since kindling of fire is forbidden on the Sabbath, the week is ended with candle-lighting, and then again the Sabbath is concluded with candle-lighting. The lighting of the fire indicates a separate between the holy and the common (or the secular and the profane).
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.
The Sabbath is often greeted by the singing of an ancient prayer called "Lecha Dodi". The title of the song literally means "Come My Beloved". In this ancient Kabbalistic song, the sabbath is referred to as "a bride".
The Havdalah service marks the end of Shabbat. It should be performed no earlier than nightfall on Saturday night. Nightfall is the time when three stars can be seen in the sky. It is normally about 45 minutes to an hour after sundown, depending on your latitude.
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. - 16069
