What Is Shabbat? The Tradition of Shabbat Dinner
The day of rest…you’ll find references to it in the world’s three principal faiths. Within the Jewish tradition, it’s known as Shabbat, from the Hebrew for “sabbath.” It’s been recognized as an integral part of the Jewish faith since ancient times. A central component is the Shabbat dinner, which is more than just a meal. What is Shabbat? What is the Shabbat dinner? What are the customs the accompany Shabbat dinner?
What Is Shabbat?
Also referred to alternatively as Shabbos or as the Sabbath, Shabbat starts a few minutes before the sun sets every Friday evening and continues either until three stars are observed in the sky or for an hour after sundown on Saturday. To prepare for Shabbat, the women of a house customarily light two separate candles, one to signify observance (known as the shamor) and the other to represent remembrance (the zachor). The women then shield their eyes and say the Kiddush blessing over the wine, blessing and sanctifying it. Once the challah (bread) is blessed, the Shabbat dinner begins.
It should be noted that, because of the spiritual significance of Shabbat, people will typically change out of work clothes in favor of clean and more formal clothing. Furthermore, traditional Shabbat dinners include a white tablecloth, as well as cloth napkins and fine china.
What Is the Purpose of the Shabbat Dinner?
The Shabbat dinner serves a number of functions:
- It’s considered a form of worship
- The meal is intended to allow the participants to have some time away from the cares and concerns of daily life, allowing them to focus on spiritual matters
- The dinner also emphasizes the importance of tradition
What Types of Foods Are Common at a Shabbat Dinner?
As a general rule, the meal includes mostly traditional Jewish foods. Because Shabbat is a day of rest, these foods must be prepared in advance. Among the staples of a Shabbat dinner are:
- Matzo ball soup—This is the classic Jewish comfort food, a broth-based bowl with dumplings made from matzo meal (unleavened flour), water, eggs and schmaltz (rendered chicken fat). The matzo is rolled into bite-sized balls—there can often be noodles in the soup, as well.
- Gefilte fish—From the Yiddish term for “stuffed,” gefilte fish is typically whitefish, pike or carp. Genuine gefilte fish involves removing the flesh from the fish, mixing it with other ingredients (onions, carrots, eggs and spices are common), stuffing it back in the skin of the fish and baking it. It’s typically poached and then served cold.
- Assorted meats—Poultry and beef brisket are very common. However, the Torah prohibits cooking on Shabbat (defined as raising the temperature of the food above 120 degrees Fahrenheit). You can, however, eat food during Shabbat that has been placed on a heat source before Shabbat begins, but is not completely cooked by sunset.
- Challah bread—True challah is made without dairy or meat derivatives, using only vegetable oils for fat. Because kosher laws identify eggs as something other than meat or dairy, they may be used in the challah, though there are differing opinions regarding the number of eggs that may be used.
- Side dishes—The most common Shabbat side is a kugel, essentially a casserole. Common ingredients in a kugel including cheese, vegetables, potatoes, noodles and fruit. Alternatives include salads, roasted vegetables and rice/grain dishes.
- Dessert—To be acceptable at a Shabbat dinner, a dessert must not contain dairy or meat of any kind (the dietary term for this is pareve). Eggs are, however, permissible, provided they come from a kosher chicken. Kosher bakeries commonly sell Shabbat desserts or you can find pareve recipes online.
Shabbat Dinner Is Typically More than a Meal
Though the meal is the focal point of Shabbat, it’s more generally a time for families to spend with loved ones. It’s pretty common for the evening to include some family entertainment, such as singing or playing games. It’s also typical to include special prayers or spiritual teachings/reflections.
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At Gutterman’s and Gutterman Warheit, we bring more than 125 years of experience to individuals and families within the Jewish community, assisting you with all matters related to funerals and burials. We understand the unique customs within the different Jewish traditions and can help with any issue, from preparation of the memorial to the selection of a casket or monument, from the particulars for sitting Shiva to the creation of a Yahrzeit calendar. We will also be your liaison with the Chevra Kadisha, ensuring that the body has been properly prepared according to Jewish law before interment.
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