PromiseCelebrating the Weekly Sabbath!
We celebrate the weekly Sabbath for the joy of rehearsing the Great Sabbath we are going to have in the future with Yeshua! We actually do it, we don't just read about it.
Any study of Sabbath will show you just how much variety there is! Different Rabbinical traditions can/will require/teach different ways of observance! What you see in our Erev Sabbath reflects my own study and what we've chosen to use points to Yeshua in our celebration. Not all that we do is necessary, and some is our own tradition. What ever you do, do it with joy before The Father! We laugh much, share much, even cry at times at our Sabbath. And always we hope that ... maybe ... this Sabbath ... will be the last one on earth for us! That the next Sabbath is celebrated with our Beloved Kinsman Redeemer.
What is NOT necessary:
My husband and son do blow the shofar to "announce" Sabbath. Shofars are very
interesting "musical" instruments. They have a truly memorable sound and an
interesting smell. And if you close your eyes and imagine yourself in the land
of Israel at the time of King David ... you would hear that sound reverberate
throughout the land ... and it would send your pulse racing.
As you see in our Erev Sabbath, my husband and I "share" our roles with our daughter and son but that's our tradition.
Our Sabbath table is set formally as for really special company but every family will have their own unique "company" setting, how they will set-table to honor Yeshua. When our children were young, plastic wine glasses made the setting special but less dangerous! Over the years I've collected a setting of dishes for our family's Sabbath. I've found keeping a separate "Sabbath" dish set/flatware is very practical because then I always have what I need to set the special table!
We hold-off putting any food on the table until after The Home Blessing, just before the toast. The Wine and Challah are the exception as they are needed right away to teach how the Sabbath meal is a covenant meal!
What is NECESSARY:
Necessary for The Candles Blessing:
Two lights of some kind. We do use two white candles in metal
candle holders. Metal candle holders are a must for candles. We do let the
candles burn out by themselves. Certainly one must always exercise care when
dealing with live flame. Since shorter candles burn for a shorter time one
could match candle length to meal time.
Necessary for Washing the Hands:
A "washing" arrangement. A pitcher and bowl were a bit awkward
for us so we just use a bowl of water accompanied by a white hand towel. The
lesson of us being "washed" of things in this world is what is important here.
The amount of water and delivery system should not be the focus, but rather our
focus should be on The Spirit and how He washes us clean!
Necessary for Sanctification of Sabbath:
"Fruit of the vine". The blood-red color is necessary because it
teaches of Yeshua's Blood. We do use wine for the Sanctification, but also
have a pitcher of grape juice which is brought to the table when the food is
served.
Necessary for The Bread Blessing:
Bread and salt (and napkins IF you are going to cover the
knives). My own experience with making Challah has become a tradition in
itself! When the cover on the Challah is removed it has seemed ... more than
once ... the loaves look like what has been happening in the week past!
Challah is interesting to make, and recipes are available, but we have
used alternatives in emergencies. And on the Sabbath during the Feast of
Unleavened Bread at Pesach, we use two pieces of matzah. It is what the bread
teaches of Yeshua that is important! Never loose sight of Him in what you do!
Necessary for The Family Blessing,
Greeting of Peace, and The Home Blessing:
A spirit of humility and forgiveness. I think Sabbath addresses
the very core of our being, how we really relate to each other in the family
and our GOD. Of all that you do at Sabbath, this really puts the spot-light on
the intimate, personal, fellowship, relationship of the "Peace Meal with
Yeshua". When you hold something against another, how can you sit at this meal
with them? It does force you to keep a very short list of how you have been
wronged and who you have wronged!!
It is our tradition to make a toast at our Sabbath table. It comes from the cultural tradition at our wedding celebrations.
And then ... we bring on the food! Again, it is a meal you are sharing with Yeshua! May that be your guide to what your meal is like. For those of you who do not have a "complete" family, may The Father provide for you a special way to have "completeness". Actually, when we entered into Sabbath, I realized what a powerful force it is that The Father uses to keep the family strong and in balance. Papa needs Mama for Sabbath, Mama needs Papa for Sabbath and the Family is blessed.
These are the celebration aids our family uses for Sabbath. Feel free to use them to begin your own blessing of Sabbath as you study for yourself the marvelous REST we have in Yeshua!
- Blow the Shofar - Print two on the same page by rotating paper and putting through printer again. Cut in half length-wise.
- Erev Sabbath - Print inside then turn paper over and print outside on other side of paper. Fold length-wise.
- Sabbath Stickers - We print them on "sticky paper" and put them on our calendar to remind us of Sabbath.
You can contact the Web-master for more details and recipes of our celebration.
Questions? Comments?
admin@grafted-promise.net