Welcoming Shabbat 2
Candle Lighting
Let us Welcome the Shabbat
Have a Peaceful and Blessed Shabbat
And with the light that the Holy-One-Blessed-be-He created on the first day, a person is able to see from one end of the world to the other end of it. When the Holy-One-Blessed-be-He watched mankind and noticed their deeds were corrupt, He hid it from them. And where was the light hidden? In the hearts of people.
And when they dedicate their hearts to one another, the light will emanate from them once again. When we light the candles, we wish for a week of togetherness, attentiveness and benevolence. Blessed are you G-d, our Lord, King of the universe, who separates darkness from light.
Every one ought to know and understand
that within him lights a candle
And his candle differs from that of his friend
And there is no one who has no candle
And everyone ought to know and understand
That one must work hard to reveal
one's candle-light in public
and grow it into a torch
and - light up the entire world
Rabbi Kook the Cohen
A Guest Chooses a Song
Kiddush
"The sixth day. And the heavens and the earth and all their hosts were completed. And G-d finished by the Seventh Day His work which He had done, and He rested on the Seventh Day from all His work which He had done. And G-d blessed the Seventh Day and made it holy, for on it He rested from all His work which G-d created to function".
And wine shall gladden the hearts of man.
Wine was created with hard work. The vine that was planted, the ripe grapes that were picked, the grapes pressed in the winepress, and the final production of wine that gladdens people's hearts.
Labor produces happiness.
May we also know how to work joyfully and then – enjoy the fruits of our labor.
Blessed are you G-d, our Lord, king of the universe, who created the fruit of the vine.
Who is a man who desires life
Who loves days to see good in them
Guard your tongue from evil
And your lips from deceit
Keep away from bad and do good
Seek peace and pursue it
Shabbat is one of the weekdays and suddenly at a known hour this day is enveloped with a new aura, the people celebrating it change internally and externally it illuminates with an altogether different light. Shabbat contains one of the foundations of prose that turn it into poetry. Man expresses something and suddenly it turns into a song. If you think the difference between prose and poetry is (...) a difference of level, that poetry is on a higher level – (...) you are no less then mistaken. Poetry is an altogether different atmosphere, and it does not resemble prose at all. In the same vein a holiday is not merely an improved day, but it is completely different. This secret was revealed to Israel, this is the secret of sanctifying things. Sanctifying life.
- C.N. Bialik
A Guest Chooses a Song
Blessing Over the Challah
As Shabbat descends, let us stop for a moment.
The silence ensued calls on us to be present- to open our hearts and our senses.
Let us recall the week that had passed by, and share with others a moment of our experience.
We shall cut the Challah, smell its aroma, taste its flavor, look and listen.
Blessed are you G-d, our Lord, king of the universe, who brings forth bread from the earth.
He who makes peace in His high places,
May He make peace for us,
And for all Israel,
Let us say, Amen.
Have a Peaceful and Blessed Shabbat!

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