Shabbat is a day of rest, set aside from all other days. This is because when HaShem was making the world he rested
on the seventh day after he was through all of his work. Shabbat is also special because unlike other holidays that are mentioned
in the Torah, it is the only holiday mentioned in the Ten Commandments.
In other parts of the Torah we are told how to make Shabbat special. We are told that not only may we not work, but
people who work for us may not work either. Even animals don't work on Shabbat. We are told that we can not light fires on
Shabbat and that our food has to be prepared before Shabbat starts. There are
39 things that we can not do during Shabbat.
Observing Shabbat creates a special bond between HaShem and Jews. In ancient times in Israel Shabbat was announced
by blowing the shofar six times. On the first blast, all of the farmers in the fields started home. On the second blast, all
of the shops were closed. At the third blast, Shabbat candles were lit and blessings said all over Israel.
The last three blasts on the shofar announced that Shabbat had begun.
Shabbat Havdala
Shabbat ends with the Havdala ceremony. Havdala means separation, this separates the holy Shabbat from the rest of
the week. The Havdala ceremony is said to have started by the men of the Great Assembly 2,500 years ago, it is conducted at
the end of Shabbat when we can see three stars in the sky (about 18 minutes after sunset).
Here is what you will need:
1 cup of wine or grape juice
A candle with 2 (at least) wicks (or 2 candles)
Spices, cloves or any pleasant smelling flowers
The Havdala ceremony
Fill the cup with wine (some fill it so it overflows representing bounty - it is best to have a plate under the goblet)
Kos yeshuot esa uve-shem Adonai Ekra.
Hinay El yeshuati; evtach ve-lo efchad.
Ki azi ve-zimrat Ya Adonai, va-yehi li lishua.
I lift this cup of salvation and proclaim in the name of Adonai. Behold! Adonai is my salvation; I will trust in HaShem
and will know no fear. Adonai is my strength and my song; HaShem is the source of my deliverance.
Light the Havdala candle (some allow the youngest person present to hold the candle, some believe that the height
that the flame is held is as high as ones' future life partner)
After the first paragraph of Havdala is read, the blessing over the wine is made but the wine is not drunk.
The blessing over the spices is made, and the spices are passed around for everyone to smell.
The blessing over the fire is made - everyone present holds their hands towards the flame so they can see the light
reflected in their fingernails. This is to represent the difference between light and dark, and the acceptance of the light.
The last paragraph of Havdala is read, and the wine is drunk - either by the person who recited Havdala, or it is
passed around for everyone to drink.
A few drops of wine are poured on to a plate, and the Havdala flame is extinguished in the wine.
Some people dip their index fingers in the wine and dab their fingers on their eyebrows, temples and pockets to represent
our desire for enlightenment, wisdom and prosperity.
After Havdala it is customary to wish everyone present a "shavuah tov" (good week), or "gut voch" in Yiddish.
39 Things NOT to do on Shabbat
Writing 2 Letters
Erasing 2 Letters
Extinguishing a Fire
Baking
Sewing 2 Stitches
Kindling a Fire
Binding Sheaves
Grinding
Building
Hitting with a Hammer
Tearing a Building Down
Salting Meat
Flaying
Sowing
Slaughtering
Plowing
Curing Hide
Cutting Hide Up
Scraping Hide
Tying
Untying
Shearing Wool
Washing Wool
Weaving
Beating Wool
Spinning
Making 2 loops
Weaving 2 threads
Separating 2 threads
Tearing
Trapping
Kneading
Shifting
Selecting
Winnowing
Threshing
Reaping
Taking an object from the private to the public or transporting an object in the public domain.
ARROZ DE SABATO (SABBATH RICE PILAF WITH SAFFRON)
Yield: 4 Cups Cooked Rice
1 bay leaf
1/4 tsp safffron threads dissolved in 1/4 cup boiling water
Plain Rice Pilaf:
2 cups long grain white or brown rice
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 scant teaspoon salt
4 - 5 cups chicken stock or vegetable stock
Plain Rice Pilaf:
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
2. If using white rice, you will need 4 cups stock. If using brown rice you will use 5 cups stock.
3. If using white rice, place the rice in a colander and rinse it in the sink in cold water until the water runs clear.
Allow the rice to drain and dry for 20 minutes. If using brown rice, skip this step.
4. Over medium heat, heat the olive oil in a casserole with a tight fitting lid. Saute the rice in the oil until it
starts to brown.
5. Sprinkle the salt over the rice and pour in the stock. Cover tightly and place in the oven. Bake for 35-40 minutes
(white rice) to 1 hour (brown rice). When the pilaf is done, all of the liquid will have been absorbed. A lovely aroma will
fill the room when you open the lid of the pot. Serve immediately as a side dish with a meat, fish or vegetarian entree.
To make Arroz de Sabato:
Follow the directions below for Plain Rice Pilav, adding 1 bay leaf and 1/4 teaspoon saffron threads dissolved in
1/4 cup boiling water to the rice together with the stock. Cook as directed. The rice gets a beautiful yellow color and a
heady aroma from the saffron and bay leaf. The bay leaf will be resting on top of the rice at the end of cooking. Remove and
discard it before serving. Serve as a side dish with a meat, fish, or vegetarian entree.
KRAKOW SABBATH CHALLAH
Serving Size : 2
3 envelopes active dry yeast
2 cups warm water
1 1/2 cups sugar
8 cups unbleached flour
3 tablespoons salt
3 large egg
1/2 cup cooking oil
1 cup white raisins
1 medium egg -- lightly beaten
poppy seeds
In a small bowl combine the yeast with 1 cup warm water and 1/2 cup sugar.Stir until the yesat dissolves. Let stand
(proof) until mixture bubbles and rises almost to top of the bowl.
In a large bowl,combine the flour,salt and remaining sugar.Mix well. Make a well in the center of the flour mixture
and gradually add the yeast mixture,eggs,oil and the raisins. Knead thoroughly to make a dough. Turn out onto a well floured
board and knead for about 20 minutes. Place dough in a large greased bowl, cover with a cloth and let rise in a warm place
until doubled in size. Punch down and knead for 10 minutes.
Preheat oven to 375. Divide the dough in half. To braid,cut each half into 3 or 4 pieces and form into a rope (wide
in the middle and tapered at ends). Braid aand tuck ends under. Place in well oiled bread pans.Cover and let rise until the
pans are full and the middle is above the rim of pans. Brush with an egg wash and sprinkle with the poppy seeds.
Bake for 45 minutes.Remove from pans. Place challahs directly on rack of oven and bake for 15 minutes more.
SABBATH BREAD (HALLĂ, BARHES)
1 kg flour (2.2 lbs.)
75 g. yeast (1 1/2 tbsp.)
125 g. sugar (4 oz. + 2 tbsp.)
350 ml. lukewarm water (10 1/8 oz.)
175 ml. oil ( 5 oz. + 1 1/2 tbsp.)
2 eggs
3 teaspoons of salt
Stir the yeast into the water, then add the sugar and approx; one halfth of the flour. Let it rise for 15 to 30 minutes.
When the dough swells, add the other ingredients and amalgamate them. Knead it into dough for approx, ten minutes and then
form a ball, cover it and let it rise in a warm place for approx 2 hours. Knead again the dough and braid it into a plait.
Let it rise for 20 to 30 minutes more. Place bread on a plate, which must be spread with oil and spread with flour in advance;
besmear the surface of the surface of the bread with a whisked egg and bake it at a temperature of 180 C. (356 F.) for approx.
30 minutes.
*NOTE: The Sabbath bread is called in Hebrew Hallă, a name used in ancient times to designate the priest's share of
the dough. Ashkenazi Jews call it Barhes (a corrupted form for Berahot "benedictions").
ADINA'S SHABBOS CHICKEN
1 whole broiler chicken, (not cut up- keeps juices in and the meat much more tender)
paprika (sweet, not spicy)
onion powder
garlic powder
black pepper
salt (optional)
The following vegetables are not part of the "traditional" recipe, but I add them as they become a very tasty side-dish
for Friday night dinner.
1 medium onion, sliced into thin rings
2 carrots sliced
4 potatoes, quartered
1 large sweet potato, quartered
2 zucchini squash, (Israeli variety works best)
Place whole chicken in center of roasting pan. Sprinkle lightly with black pepper and salt, if you wish. Sprinkle
generously (or according to taste) with onion powder, garlic powder and paprika. Add water or wine to the bottom of the pan
so it comes up approximately 1- 1.5 cm up the side of the pan.
If you are using vegetables: arrange onions underneath and around chicken. Mix other vegetables together and arrange
around chicken as well.
Cover with aluminum foil, or pan top and bake at 400 for 40 minutes. Baste (THIS IS THE KEY!!!!), cover, and bake
for another 15 minutes. Repeat the last step and bake for another fifteen minutes. Repeat again. Uncover and let skin roast
evenly, basting every five minutes for another 15 minutes or until done. To check: stab into the middle of chicken (try the
thigh or breast). When juices run clear, chicken is ready.
KUBANEH
Yield: 8 servings
1 envelope active dry yeast
3 cups lukewarm water
1/2 cup sugar
4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
Dissolve the yeast in 1 cup of the water, along with 1 teaspoon of the sugar. Lightly cover with a cloth and leave
in a warm place until the yeast foams, about 20 minutes.
Sift the flour into a large bowl and add the salt, ginger, and remaining sugar. Pour the yeast mixture into the flour,
then beat in the rest of the water. Stir the mixture until it forms a soft dough. Turn out onto a floured board and knead
well until the dough is elastic, about 10 minutes. Cover lightly and let rise until doubled in bulk, about 2 hours.
Shape the dough into a thick rope. Grease a deep 10- inch tube pan and fill it with the dough. Cover lightly and let
rise until doubled in bulk, about 45 minutes.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease a sheet of aluminum foil and cover the tube pan with it. Bake bread
for 1- 1/2 hours, or lower heat to 250 degrees F and bake overnight as you would a cholent. Pierce the foil with a fork to
release steam, then remove carefully so as not to burn yourself. Turn the bread out onto a wire rack to cool.
Ms. Levy states that Kubaneh is a Sabbath sweet bread eaten by Yemenites. This semi- steamed, soft bread is good eaten
with melted margarine and jelly, jam or preserves.
ORANGE DESSERT FOR SHABBAT
Yield: serves 4-6
5 oranges
1/2 cup chopped toasted almonds
3/4 cup chopped dates
2/3 cup orange juice
1/3 cup brandy
Peel oranges and cut in half lengthwise. Slice thin half rounds. Toss slices with remaining ingredients. Chill several
hours.
THE RICE OF SABBTA RINA
Yield: 10 to 12 servings
FIRST STEP:
4 cups rice (long grained)
Water
1 tbsp salt
Juice of 1 lemon
LAST STEP:
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons margarine ***If you keep kashrut use 4 tables
4 tablespoons oil
1/2 cup raisins, (washed and dried withpaper towel)
1 full tablespoon chicken soup powder
1 tablespoon granulated garlic
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup pine nuts
FIRST STEP:
In a large saucepan fill water more then half full. Bring to boil Add 1 tablespoon of salt. While waiting for the
water to boil, wash rice and soak rice in water with lemon juice from 1 lemon.
When water is boiling, drain rice in colander, put in boiling water, stir and bring to a boil stirring from time to
time. Boil for 5 minutes. After 5 minutes bite into one grain, it should be "al dente" like pasta, not soft, but nearly so.
If it is too hard continue to cook one more minute.
Drain immediately in a colander (sieve) and wash in plenty of water, I put rice back into the saucepan, fill with
water and drain again. I continue to do so 2 - 3 times. At the end, leave rice to drain in the sieve over a bowl for a least
2 hours.
LAST STEP:
In a non sticky saucepan melt butter, margarine, and oil. Add the raisins, stir, lower heat, and add the chicken soup
powder, granulated garlic, and salt; stir.
Add the rice and mix well. Add the pine nuts, mix again so rice will be well blended with all other ingredients. Cover
well. Put on the lowest heat. Mix from time to time till you serve
SHABBAT CANDLESTICK SALAD
Yield: Serves 2
Ingredients:
2 lettuce leaves
2 pinapple rings
1 banana
2 stawberries or maraschino cherries
1. Cut the banana in half and brush with lemon juice (to prevent darkening).
2. On each of two plates, put a lettuce leaf. Top with a pineapple ring. Stand the banana half in the hole in the
pineapple. Attach the strawberry or cherry to the point of the banana with a toothpick.
FRIDAY SOUP
Yield: About 12 servings
3 LB. fryer
3 quarts water
1 Tablespoon salt
1 tsp. pepper
Place in pot and bring to a boil while cutting up vegetables.
3 stalks celery
5 carrots
1 onion
3 potatoes
1 cup steel cut oats (usually found in health food stores)
Cut veggies is bite-sized pieces Add to pot and simmer for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes to prevent oats from
sticking. When finished cool and cut chicken up in soup and serve.
