Shabbat Dinner
While this Shabbat format incorporates many elements of a traditional Shabbat dinner, many aspects have been modified, re-ordered, or adapted. Explore what connects most for you in this space, and leave room for both ancient tradition as well as inspired creativity!
Prior to beginning your Shabbat gathering…
Determine a time to start (as close to sundown as possible on Friday evening)
Invite family, friends, and neighbors - it’s a communal time
Consider turning off phones before beginning, and even having a phone box in another room for people to leave their devices
Have everyone take off their shoes as a sign of homeliness, respect, and the intent to stay for a while
Shabbat Gathering
Help Young Kids Settle In (this may require letting them start eating early, establishing a play area, etc.)
Light the 2 Shabbat Candles (Matriarch of the house)
Prayer: Blessed are You, Adonai our God, King of the universe, who makes us holy with His Word, and who has called us to kindle this light on Shabbat. May your light ever shine in the darkness, guide our way, and warm our hearts.
Passing the Shalom: (Hold out hands) “Shabbat Shalom!” (Group Response) “Shabbat Shalom!” (Spend time greeting and hugging each person in the room)
Washing Hands (Pass around basin of water & towel)
Prayer: Blessed are You, Adonai our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with Your Word, and who washes our hands with living water.
Share: As each person washes their hands, have them share something (in just a few sentences) that they are choosing to release from the day or week so they can enter into Shabbat (ex: distracted by work, fear of a diagnosis, anger at a friend, anxiety about a hard conversation, sadness at a big life change, etc.)
Kiddush: Prayer for the Wine
(Have everyone raise their glass)
Prayer: Blessed are You, Adonai our God, King of the universe, Who creates the fruit of the vine.
Note: Wine is drank to sanctify the time and remind us of our covering from the Exodus
(Cheers clinks all around!)
Kiddush: Prayer for the Challah
Prayer: Blessed are You, Adonai our God, King of the Universe, Who brings forth bread from the earth.
Note: Bread reminds us of the manna God provided in the desert and the double portion that was given for Shabbat
Dinner (Teaching and Discussion Time)
Teaching: If someone has a 3-6 minute teaching they’d like to share, or a Scriptural/ liturgical reading
Possible Discussion Questions: 1) What are you thankful for today/ this week? 2) What has brought you delight today/ this week? 3) Where have you seen God move today/ this week? 4) What is a story where God brought you overwhelming joy? 5) What is playful for you? 6) What is something new you would like to try/ learn? 7) What is something you’d like to celebrate about someone else in the room? 8) What is something good, beautiful, or true that has gripped you lately? 9) What is something you have been learning recently in the Scriptures or from Holy Spirit? 10) What is a deep desire you have in your heart? 11) What have you been learning from a community or culture that’s different than yours?
Post-Meal Prayer / Prayer for Children (Oldest to Youngest)
For sons: “May you be like Ephraim and Menassah…”
For daughters: “May you be like Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel, and Leah…”
Speak special blessings over each child (things you’re grateful for, things you see in their character, and things you desire for their life)
Prayer over the children: Conclude with… “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26)
You could also sing or play “The Blessing” by Kari Jobe and Cody Carnes which uses lyrics from this passage in Scripture
Time of Singing and Dancing
Dessert / Continued Shabbat Discussion
Household Activities
Possible Household Activities…
Game Night
Worship time (singing, Scripture, prayer)
Group yoga, grounding, and/or breath prayer
Arts and crafts
Watch a movie
Dance party
Read stories together
Writing time
Celebrate a seasonal feast or festival from Scripture
Make a fire
Look at the stars
…Just enjoy time being together and connecting!
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