Celebrating Shabbat Together (March 2023 Pt 1)

We recently read these words in the Torah:  v’shamru...et hashabbat... la’asot et hashabbat.”  The words are familiar because they are also in our siddur and we sing them on Friday night and Saturday morning at our services.  Here the people of Israel are instructed to observe the Sabbath and to “make” or “do” the Sabbath.  So how are we supposed to DO Shabbat? 
 
Too often Shabbat gets a bad rap because it has so many restrictions, that is, so many things we are told NOT to do, like plowing, baking, building, sewing, and so on.  To counteract this perception, we should stress how to  actively “do” Shabbat, and there are many ways: recite Kiddush over the wine on Friday night, light the Shabbat candles, eat a special Shabbat meal, attend prayer services, and recite Havdalah on Saturday night, to name a few.  We celebrate Shabbat together and turn Shabbat into a lovely, holy day, rather than a day of denial.
 
This is exactly what we will do at 6PM this Friday night, March 17, at Shabbat Across America at Beth Samuel.  We will gather, say prayers and blessings, enjoy a delicious potluck dinner and experience a small treasure trove of music and stories for Shabbat.  RSVP using the button above and join me and your fellow congregants for a delightful Shabbat!
 
B’shalom,
Cantor Rena