The Shabbat To The Jewish People

The Shabbat To The Judaic PeopleFor thousands of years, millions of Jews/Hebrews around the world live according to the Judaic Law. Jewish and some non-Jews believe G-d created the world in six daylights and G-d took the seventh day to rest and reflect on his creation (Exodus 2011). What is the importance of the Shabbat to the Jewish people, what ar some of the symbolic items used during the Holy Day which starts at sundown the night before? The symbolic of the word Shabbat was given to this day because the funda manpowert of the word Shin-Beit-Tav, convey to come to an end or to rest. Shabbat is the only day mentioned in the commandments in that respectfore it is the most grievous of all the holy days (jewfaq.com). duration the word shamor, means to observe however the word observe has a different cogitations to the Orthodox Jews, then to the Reformed Jews or Conservative Jews. Generally there atomic number 18 variations amongst the different Jewish communities but for the most part the conventional Jewish lethargy is the same. The Orthodox Jews ar the more restrictive and forget walk both to and from their place of worship while reformed Jews are likely to drive. It is also customary Orthodox men and women to sit separately to allow for the focus on postulation, while in the Conservative and Reformed synagogues the focus is on family, which prays together.My wife and I while traveling to Athens, Greece on our honeymoon attended Friday Evening Sabbath serve at Beth Shalom Synagogue. The Temple was constructed in 1930 and is extremely Orthodox. We had no prior knowledge but the usher whom spoke no English, superlativeed upstairs to my wife and the main narrative for me. Like the Hebrews in ancient times, many religions of the Verdic period and the Roman Catholic faiths only Men are Priests. Perhaps traditions and rituals of the past have symbolic meaning but have not changed all that much? The Conservative and Reformed Jewish movement has alre ady crossed this bridge and my research paper willing be written from a conservative to reform traditional Jewish approach. My Wife, Kids and I frequent Temple Beth Elle in Boca Raton where my relatives are members. Its not unheard of to come upon more than one Rabbi in a synagogue but is unheard of to see a template with three full time Rabbis two of which are women. In addition they have a female cantor soloist that makes for a beautiful service. The second standard candle is lit the welcoming of the Sabbath begins. The welcoming is also cognize as the Kabbalat Shabbat and is the first of two very short services. Several Psalms are recited such as the Lchah dodi, which is the greeting of the Sabbath Bride. The Psalm is beautiful both in lethargy and the Hebrew melody. My beloved, come to greet the bride let us receive the Sabbath. The Pslams translation is as follows The only God caused us to hear keep and remember in one utterance the Eternal is One and Gods name is One, for honor and glory and acclamation. Come, let us go to greet the Sabbath, which is the source of blessing. From its opening it is pouring as from the beginning the end of Creation from the beginning of thought. Wake up Wake up For your light has come Rise up my light stir Awake Sing The Eternals glory is revealed to you Enter in peace, O Crown of Your husband enter in joy and exultation. Come, O Bride Come, O Bride To the faithful people of the see nation. The last prayer, the mourners Kaddish, which is referred to as saying Kaddish and is for those that, have recently lost a loved one(s). The mourners Kaddish does not refer to death at all. The Kaddish is a prayer to praise of G-d in Gods name. The prayers main idea goes back to ancient times and is reflected a similar lethargy of the Christians Lords Prayer (http//www.britannica.com/).The Barchu prayer, meaning to Praise God, the Exalted One starts the Evening Shabbat Services. ii short prayers are recited before the most importa nt prayer the Shema, which means Hear, Israel, the Lord is our G-d, the Lord is One. The Shema affirms G-ds unity and is often said several times passim the day but most notability when you wake and before bed. The second paragraph of he Shema is also recited followed by three short prayers, then comes the Amidah, a series of 7 blessings which talks about the Avot The Ancestors, Gevurot The Devine Power, Kedushah G-ds holiness, again the blessing of the Shabbat, Avodah The Sacrificial worship, Hodaah The Thanksgiving and Shalom The prayer for peace. Several more prayers complete the evening service including the motionless prayer, which is usually last for a few minutes to give everyone a time for a personal prayer.The Mourners Kaddish said a second time followed by one of two medieval poems Adon Olam, meaning, Before creation shaped the world, God, eternal, reigned alone or my personal favorite, Yigdal meaning, Revere the living G-d. The poem has always had a corking tune and I have always felt something spiritual to the Yigdal prayer. While reading the comments written by R. Eliesers I have learned the Yigdal poem is a poetic variation of Maimonides thirteen principles of faith (myjewishlearning.com). Meaning summarizes the required beliefs of Judaism. It is also the name of a hospital in Brooklyn where my Grandmother had passed on. Now I gain why I felt so connected to the Yigdal and what a great way to end the service reaffirming my beliefs.The festive meal awaits, the Kiddish, which is an overflowing glass of booze or grape juice is said. The overflowing reminds us of the fullness of joy that we have in the Shabbat. We proceed to wash our hands with a short prayer and finally the blessing of the Challah, called the Ha-Motzi or just the Motzi for short. Symbolically, two Chalot are used for the reason during the time in Egypt on Fridays a double portion of bonanza fell from the heavens. The prayer is as follows Blessed are You, Lord, our God, King of the Universe who brings forth bread from the earth. (Amen). Many years ago my wife and I befriended an Israeli couple and adopted the dipping of the Challah into sea salt. Not understanding why, we looked it looked it up and found sea salt never spoils or decays, therefore, it is symbolic of our eternal compact car with G-d (http//www.askmoses.com.) Finally, the festive meal begins filled with an evening of singing, laughing, rejoicing with family before repairing to bed.Around 900am Saturday morning Jews begin to congregate to synagogue also called Shul. The adult men are required to place a Yamaka and a Tallit which both sanctifies a personal space between you and g-d. The Shacharit service begins the Torah is taken from the Ark and a series of selections are read which are based on the past weeks teaching. The Torah is written with no vowels and is difficult to read even by most skilled Torah readers. It is so important two proof readers called biguys follow along carefu lly to ensure its accuracy.The Hoftorah is recited, which many Jews like I ask why the Hoftorah is read when its reading are link up to the same torah portion. My understanding is during a period of time Jews were forbidden from reading the Torah and the Hoftorah was a substitute. The Hoftorah reading had continued although the Torah was once again allowed to be read. The Ashrei prayer is perennial and the Torah scroll is returned to the Ark again in a care but accurate feeler. Usually, the Rabbi will offer a weekly spiritual sermon, something that is related to the weekly Torah portion.The sacrament of the Eucharist in the Musaf service has been changed, identifying the State of Israel as the Jewish homeland, but recognizing the Temple only as historical and not as a structure that will one day be restored (Wikipedia find other source). The Musaf service also includes the Amidah and it follows the same service read Friday evening. The Mincha begins the second Torah is removed f rom the Ark using the same procession as the first. The first portion of the upcoming weeks Torah is read and the Torah is returned to the Ark.By the time birkat ha-mazon is done, it is about 2PM. The family studies Torah for a while, talks, takes an afternoon walk, plays some checkers, or engages in other vacant activities. A short afternoon nap is not uncommon. It is traditional to have a third meal before Shabbat is over. This is usually a light meal in the late afternoon. Shabbat ends at nightfall, when three stars are visible, approximately 40 minutes after sunset. At the conclusion of Shabbat, the family performs a concluding ritual called Havdalah separation, division). Blessings are recited over wine, spices and candles. Then a blessing is recited regarding the division between the sacred and the secular, between Shabbat and the working days.As you can see, Shabbat is a very full day when it is properly observed, and very relaxing. You really dont miss being unable to turn on the TV, drive a car or go shopping.Cersus the Christian point of view as a day of prayer much different then that of the Jewish faith.While the following dayfor morning services. For everyone Simcha, I see to it you the oldest grandparent will also do the Mostzi regardless of how shaky their hand is. What does Shabbat mean to me and why is it after all these yearsI dont consider the things I do on Saturday as working My Grandmother Ida, may she be rested and Im sure she would be very proud to know that we continue to use her candle stick holders each Friday night as she did for some seventy plus yearsDo not get me wrong here there are variations amongst the different Jewish communities but for the most part the traditional Jewish liturgy are the same and are sung or chanted with traditional melodies.