From scratch, one step at a time
Shabbat 101
Shabbat, from scratch. Seven small steps a family can add one at a time. Nobody does all of it the first week, and nobody needs to.
- ✓ No experience needed
- ✓ Hebrew, transliteration and English
- ✓ Add one step at a time
Pick one step this Friday. Next week, keep it and maybe add another. Every step has what you need and the words in Hebrew, transliteration (Hebrew in English letters) and English. You don't need to read Hebrew.
This week's suggestion: A Friday night meal with Kiddush, with a family game, in the Lech Lecha packet.
Step 1 · an easy place to start
What Shabbat is, and when it starts
Shabbat (the Sabbath) is a weekly day of rest. The Torah says God created the world in six days and rested on the seventh, and made that day holy. For about 25 hours each week, Jewish families stop the rush of work and screens and make time for each other, for good food, and for something bigger than ourselves.
What you need
- A calendar with your local times (free at Hebcal: hebcal.com/shabbat)
How
- Shabbat starts on Friday at sunset. Traditionally, candles are lit about 18 minutes before sunset (in Jerusalem many light 40 minutes before).
- It ends on Saturday night after dark, when three stars can be seen in the sky. Calendars list the exact time for your city.
- The most important part is the Friday night meal together. That's where the steps below happen.
- Greet each other with "Shabbat shalom" (a peaceful Shabbat). In many homes you'll also hear "Gut Shabbos" (Yiddish for "good Shabbat").
The words
The verse (Genesis 2:3)
וַיְבָרֶךְ אֱלֹהִים אֶת יוֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִי וַיְקַדֵּשׁ אֹתוֹ
Transliteration: Vayevarech Elohim et yom hashvi'i vaykadesh oto.
God blessed the seventh day and made it holy.
The greeting
שַׁבָּת שָׁלוֹם
Transliteration: Shabbat shalom.
A peaceful Shabbat.
Step 2
Light the Shabbat candles
Lighting candles on Friday before sunset is the moment Shabbat begins in the home. Many families light two candles, for the two ways the Ten Commandments say it: "remember" Shabbat and "keep" Shabbat. Some add a candle for each child.
What you need
- Two candles (any candles that burn for a few hours) and candlesticks or a safe tray
- Matches
- Your local candle-lighting time
How
- Before the time on the calendar, set the candles where they can burn safely until they go out on their own.
- Light the candles. In many homes (Ashkenazi custom) you light first, cover your eyes with your hands, say the blessing, then uncover your eyes and look at the light. In many Sephardi homes the blessing is said first and then the candles are lit. Both are beautiful; pick your family's way.
- This is a lovely moment for a quiet wish or prayer for the people you love.
- Once they're lit, leave the candles to burn. Kids can help set them up, and grown-ups strike the match.
The words
Blessing over the candles
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו וְצִוָּנוּ לְהַדְלִיק נֵר שֶׁל שַׁבָּת.
Transliteration: Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha'olam, asher kidshanu bemitzvotav vetzivanu lehadlik ner shel Shabbat.
Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who made us holy with His commandments and commanded us to light the Shabbat candle.
Some families end with "ner shel Shabbat kodesh" (the holy Shabbat candle).
Step 3
Sing Shalom Aleichem
An old tradition says two angels walk each person home on Friday night. Before Kiddush, families welcome them with this song. It's a warm way to say: the week is over, Shabbat is here.
What you need
- Your voices (lots of tunes exist, and any tune is fine)
How
- Stand or sit around the table before Kiddush.
- Sing the four short verses. Traditionally each verse is sung three times.
- Kids love leading this one. Let them pick the tune, or the speed.
The words
Verse 1
שָׁלוֹם עֲלֵיכֶם, מַלְאֲכֵי הַשָּׁרֵת, מַלְאֲכֵי עֶלְיוֹן, מִמֶּלֶךְ מַלְכֵי הַמְּלָכִים, הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא.
Transliteration: Shalom aleichem, malachei hasharet, malachei elyon, mimelech malchei hamelachim, HaKadosh Baruch Hu.
Peace be with you, ministering angels, angels of the Most High, from the King of kings, the Holy One, blessed be He.
Verse 2
בּוֹאֲכֶם לְשָׁלוֹם, מַלְאֲכֵי הַשָּׁלוֹם, מַלְאֲכֵי עֶלְיוֹן, מִמֶּלֶךְ מַלְכֵי הַמְּלָכִים, הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא.
Transliteration: Bo'achem leshalom, malachei hashalom, malachei elyon, mimelech malchei hamelachim, HaKadosh Baruch Hu.
Come in peace, angels of peace…
Verse 3
בָּרְכוּנִי לְשָׁלוֹם, מַלְאֲכֵי הַשָּׁלוֹם, מַלְאֲכֵי עֶלְיוֹן, מִמֶּלֶךְ מַלְכֵי הַמְּלָכִים, הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא.
Transliteration: Barchuni leshalom, malachei hashalom, malachei elyon, mimelech malchei hamelachim, HaKadosh Baruch Hu.
Bless me with peace, angels of peace…
Verse 4
צֵאתְכֶם לְשָׁלוֹם, מַלְאֲכֵי הַשָּׁלוֹם, מַלְאֲכֵי עֶלְיוֹן, מִמֶּלֶךְ מַלְכֵי הַמְּלָכִים, הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא.
Transliteration: Tzetchem leshalom, malachei hashalom, malachei elyon, mimelech malchei hamelachim, HaKadosh Baruch Hu.
Go in peace, angels of peace…
Bonus: bless your children
Many parents place their hands on each child's head (or just hug them) and give them this blessing on Friday night.
For a boy
יְשִׂימְךָ אֱלֹהִים כְּאֶפְרַיִם וְכִמְנַשֶּׁה.
Transliteration: Yesimcha Elohim ke'Efrayim vechiMenasheh.
May God make you like Ephraim and Menashe.
For a girl
יְשִׂימֵךְ אֱלֹהִים כְּשָׂרָה רִבְקָה רָחֵל וְלֵאָה.
Transliteration: Yesimech Elohim keSarah, Rivkah, Rachel veLe'ah.
May God make you like Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel and Leah.
Then, for everyone (Numbers 6:24–26)
יְבָרֶכְךָ יְיָ וְיִשְׁמְרֶךָ. יָאֵר יְיָ פָּנָיו אֵלֶיךָ וִיחֻנֶּךָ. יִשָּׂא יְיָ פָּנָיו אֵלֶיךָ וְיָשֵׂם לְךָ שָׁלוֹם.
Transliteration: Yevarechecha Adonai veyishmerecha. Ya'er Adonai panav elecha vichuneka. Yisa Adonai panav elecha veyasem lecha shalom.
May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord shine His face on you and be kind to you. May the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.
Step 4 · an easy place to start
Make Kiddush over wine or grape juice
Kiddush means "making holy." With a full cup, we say out loud that Shabbat is special: a reminder that God rested after creating the world, and that our people went from slavery in Egypt to freedom. If you only try one thing, many families start here.
What you need
- A cup (a special Kiddush cup is lovely, but any nice cup works)
- Wine or grape juice (grape juice is perfect for kids)
- Your challah on the table, covered with a cloth or napkin
How
- Fill the cup. One person says Kiddush for everyone. Some families stand, some sit; both are traditional.
- Read the words below in Hebrew, transliteration or English, or play a recording and follow along.
- After each blessing everyone answers "Amen" (meaning "so it is" or "I agree").
- The person who said Kiddush takes a good sip, then passes the cup or pours a little for everyone.
The words
Part 1: the story of the seventh day (Genesis 1:31–2:3)
יוֹם הַשִּׁשִּׁי. וַיְכֻלּוּ הַשָּׁמַיִם וְהָאָרֶץ וְכָל צְבָאָם. וַיְכַל אֱלֹהִים בַּיּוֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִי מְלַאכְתּוֹ אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה, וַיִּשְׁבֹּת בַּיּוֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִי מִכָּל מְלַאכְתּוֹ אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה. וַיְבָרֶךְ אֱלֹהִים אֶת יוֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִי וַיְקַדֵּשׁ אֹתוֹ, כִּי בוֹ שָׁבַת מִכָּל מְלַאכְתּוֹ אֲשֶׁר בָּרָא אֱלֹהִים לַעֲשׂוֹת.
Transliteration: Yom hashishi. Vayechulu hashamayim veha'aretz vechol tzeva'am. Vayechal Elohim bayom hashvi'i melachto asher asah, vayishbot bayom hashvi'i mikol melachto asher asah. Vayevarech Elohim et yom hashvi'i vaykadesh oto, ki vo shavat mikol melachto asher bara Elohim la'asot.
The sixth day. The heavens and the earth and everything in them were finished. On the seventh day God finished the work He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all the work He had done. God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it He rested from all the work of creation.
Part 2: the blessing over the wine
סַבְרִי מָרָנָן. בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הַגָּפֶן.
Transliteration: Savri maranan. Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha'olam, borei pri hagafen.
("With your permission, friends.") Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who creates the fruit of the vine.
Everyone answers: Amen.
Part 3: the blessing for Shabbat
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו וְרָצָה בָנוּ, וְשַׁבַּת קָדְשׁוֹ בְּאַהֲבָה וּבְרָצוֹן הִנְחִילָנוּ, זִכָּרוֹן לְמַעֲשֵׂה בְרֵאשִׁית. כִּי הוּא יוֹם תְּחִלָּה לְמִקְרָאֵי קֹדֶשׁ, זֵכֶר לִיצִיאַת מִצְרָיִם. כִּי בָנוּ בָחַרְתָּ וְאוֹתָנוּ קִדַּשְׁתָּ מִכָּל הָעַמִּים, וְשַׁבַּת קָדְשְׁךָ בְּאַהֲבָה וּבְרָצוֹן הִנְחַלְתָּנוּ. בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, מְקַדֵּשׁ הַשַּׁבָּת.
Transliteration: Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha'olam, asher kidshanu bemitzvotav veratzah vanu, veShabbat kodsho be'ahavah uvratzon hinchilanu, zikaron lema'aseh vereishit. Ki hu yom techilah lemikra'ei kodesh, zecher litziat Mitzrayim. Ki vanu vacharta ve'otanu kidashta mikol ha'amim, veShabbat kodshecha be'ahavah uvratzon hinchaltanu. Baruch atah Adonai, mekadesh haShabbat.
Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who made us holy with His commandments and cherished us, and lovingly gave us His holy Shabbat as a gift, a reminder of the creation of the world. It is the first of the holy days, a reminder of the Exodus from Egypt. You chose us and made us holy, and lovingly gave us Your holy Shabbat as a gift. Blessed are You, Lord, who makes Shabbat holy.
Everyone answers: Amen. Siddurim (prayer books) from different communities word a few lines a little differently; use whichever your family has.
Step 5 · an easy place to start
Wash hands and say Hamotzi over challah
Challah is the braided Shabbat bread. We put two loaves on the table to remember the manna, the food that fell from the sky in the desert: on Fridays a double portion fell, so nobody had to gather on Shabbat. Before eating bread, many families do a special hand-washing, then bless the bread together.
What you need
- Two challot (store-bought is great; any bread works too)
- A cloth or napkin to cover them
- A little salt
- For washing: a cup with water at the sink, and a towel
How
- Washing: fill the cup, pour water over your right hand twice, then your left hand twice (some families pour three times). Say the blessing while drying your hands.
- Many people stay quiet from washing until they've tasted the challah. Kids love the challenge of a silent walk back to the table (humming is allowed!).
- Uncover the challah, hold both loaves, and say Hamotzi. Everyone answers "Amen."
- Sprinkle a little salt, tear or cut the challah, and pass it around so everyone gets a piece.
The words
Blessing for washing hands
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו וְצִוָּנוּ עַל נְטִילַת יָדָיִם.
Transliteration: Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha'olam, asher kidshanu bemitzvotav vetzivanu al netilat yadayim.
Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who made us holy with His commandments and commanded us about washing the hands.
Hamotzi: the blessing over bread
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, הַמּוֹצִיא לֶחֶם מִן הָאָרֶץ.
Transliteration: Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha'olam, hamotzi lechem min ha'aretz.
Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who brings bread out of the earth.
Step 6
Enjoy the meal together
The Shabbat meal is the heart of it all: no rush, good food, and real conversation. It doesn't need to be fancy. Soup and chicken is a classic, but pizza on a nice tablecloth is a Shabbat meal too.
What you need
- Whatever you like to eat, cooked before Shabbat
- A tablecloth or something that makes the table feel special
- This week's family packet, for the stories, questions and game
How
- Phones away (try a "phone basket" by the door). The meal is for each other.
- Go around the table with this week's seat questions, play the family game, or just share the best part of everyone's week.
- Sing! Shabbat songs are called zemirot. This week's Elijah Tales song counts.
- When the meal is finished, many families say Birkat Hamazon, the blessing after eating. You can find it in any siddur, or free online at Sefaria.
The words
Toast before the meal
לְחַיִּים
Transliteration: L'chaim!
To life!
Wishing everyone well
שַׁבָּת שָׁלוֹם וּמְבֹרָךְ
Transliteration: Shabbat shalom umevorach.
A peaceful and blessed Shabbat.
Step 7
Say goodbye with Havdalah
Havdalah means "separation." On Saturday night, after dark, a short ceremony with a cup, sweet-smelling spices and a braided candle says goodbye to Shabbat and hello to the new week. It takes about five minutes and kids love it.
What you need
- A cup of wine or grape juice
- Spices to smell (cloves, cinnamon sticks, or anything fragrant)
- A braided Havdalah candle, or two regular candles held together so the flames touch
- Your local Shabbat end time
How
- After Shabbat ends (when three stars are out, or the time on your calendar), gather and turn the lights down.
- Light the braided candle. A child can hold it (with a grown-up nearby).
- Say the blessing over the cup, then over the spices, and pass the spices around so everyone smells them.
- Say the blessing over the fire, and hold your fingers up toward the flame to see the light on your nails.
- Say the last blessing, sip from the cup, and put the candle out in a few drops of the wine. Then wish everyone "Shavua tov," a good week!
The words
Over the cup
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הַגָּפֶן.
Transliteration: Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha'olam, borei pri hagafen.
Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who creates the fruit of the vine.
Over the spices
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, בּוֹרֵא מִינֵי בְשָׂמִים.
Transliteration: Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha'olam, borei minei vesamim.
Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who creates all kinds of spices.
Some Sephardi families use a slightly different blessing depending on the spice.
Over the flame
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, בּוֹרֵא מְאוֹרֵי הָאֵשׁ.
Transliteration: Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha'olam, borei me'orei ha'esh.
Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who creates the lights of fire.
The Havdalah blessing
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, הַמַּבְדִּיל בֵּין קֹדֶשׁ לְחוֹל, בֵּין אוֹר לְחֹשֶׁךְ, בֵּין יִשְׂרָאֵל לָעַמִּים, בֵּין יוֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִי לְשֵׁשֶׁת יְמֵי הַמַּעֲשֶׂה. בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, הַמַּבְדִּיל בֵּין קֹדֶשׁ לְחוֹל.
Transliteration: Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha'olam, hamavdil bein kodesh lechol, bein or lechoshech, bein Yisrael la'amim, bein yom hashvi'i lesheshet yemei hama'aseh. Baruch atah Adonai, hamavdil bein kodesh lechol.
Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who separates between holy and everyday, between light and darkness, between Israel and the nations, between the seventh day and the six days of work. Blessed are You, Lord, who separates between holy and everyday.
Then
שָׁבוּעַ טוֹב
Transliteration: Shavua tov!
A good week!
This is a friendly starting point, not a guide to Jewish law. Families from different communities do some things a little differently, and that's part of the beauty. If you want to go deeper, ask a rabbi or a teacher you trust.