Preparing for Shabbat

Hi,

One should engage in whatever physical work is needed to prepare for Shabbat; this is considered part of honouring the day, and the more one does, the better. Even though this will take away time from other mitzvot, including Torah study, it is performance of a mitzvah and so it has priority.

(Rivivot Ephraim 1:181)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Preparing the home for Shabbat

Hi,

One should make sure to execute all of the preparations for Shabbat before Shabbat begins, so that he enters the day with the house looking attractive and dignified. This includes making the beds, cleaning the rooms and having the table set nicely.

(Code of Jewish Law Orach Chaim 262:1)

Have a great day,

Mordechai

Pre-Shabbat Review

Hi,

When it is close to Shabbat, one should review with his household to make sure that the essential Shabbat preparations - leaving certain lights on or off, preparing the food, etc. - have been performed.
One must make sure to do so gently, though, without creating any tension, anxiety or anger.

(Code of Jewish Law Orach Chaim 260:2)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Bathing for Shabbat

Hi,

One should make sure to bathe in hot water before Shabbat. One who will not have the opportunity to take a real bath/shower should at least wash his face and hands. One should also cut his nails before Shabbat.

All of this is part of honoring Shabbat.

(Code of Jewish Law Orach Chaim 260:1)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Carrying before Shabbat

Hi,

One should not travel just before Shabbat while carrying something which he would not be permitted to carry on Shabbat itself, lest he forget and carry it on Shabbat. One should actually check his clothing close to sunset, in order to ensure that he is all set for Shabbat. (This is part of honoring the day of Shabbat.)

(Code of Jewish Law Orach Chaim 252:6-7)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Performing heavy work on Fridays

Hi,

One may not engage in heavy labor on Friday afternoon, lest this prevent him from preparing for Shabbat. We are taught that one who does so will ultimately lose whatever profit he made from that work.

However, one may do work, even heavy work, as part of his preparations for Shabbat - whether for himself, or on behalf of someone else (assuming he is doing it for free).

(Code of Jewish Law Orach Chaim 251:1-2)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Purchases for Shabbat

Hi,

During the week one should purchase special products and set them aside for Shabbat; this is a way of honoring the Shabbat all through the week.
One who purchases such an item, and then finds a better one later in the week, should purchase the better item for Shabbat. He may then use the first item during the week.

Note: With all of this purchasing, one must still stay within the bounds of what he can afford. We are taught: Make your Shabbat like a weekday, rather than need to be financially supported by others.

(Mishneh Berurah 250:2)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Personal preparation for Shabbat

Hi,

One should always try to find ways to personally prepare the home for Shabbat, rather than leave it to others. One should certainly not say that it is 'beneath his dignity' - the Talmud cites specific examples of the work performed by the sages of that era in the house (sweeping, chopping wood, mincing vegetables and more), demonstrating that the act of honoring Shabbat should be considered a source of dignity for one's self.

(Code of Jewish Law Orach Chaim 250:1)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Friday: Wake up early and taste the food

Hi,

In order to increase the honor and enjoyment of Shabbat, one should wake up extra early on Friday to prepare for Shabbat. Even one who has help in the house - so that other people could do all of the preparation - should do at least some of the work personally.

On Friday one should sample all of the foods which have been prepared for Shabbat, in order to ensure that they have been prepared well.

(Mishneh Berurah 250:2)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Friday meals

Hi,

A Jew should ensure that he will appreciate and enjoy his Friday night meal. One step toward this goal is to avoid eating an unusually large meal on Friday, lest it ruin his appetite for the Shabbat meal that evening. Even meals arranged in honor of Mitzvot should be rescheduled away from Friday, where possible.

If such a meal must take place that day, as in the case of a Brit Milah (circumcision), then one should make sure to hold the meal in the morning.

(Code of Jewish Law Orach Chaim 249:2; Mishnah Berurah 249:13)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Friday trips

Hi,

We spent some time on the laws of Fridays a couple of years ago, right before I started this blog to archive the daily emails. We'll spend the next several days reviewing that topic.

Many people are unaware that two of the most fundamental Mitzvot of Shabbat - honoring the day (Kavod) and creating enjoyment for the day (Oneg) - actually apply to the days preceding Shabbat, too. One should plan and prepare during the week, to make Shabbat a day of dignity and enjoyment.

One may not take a long trip on Friday, if that will cause him to arrive at his destination close to Shabbat, without adequate time to prepare for Shabbat.
The definition of "long trip" depends on one's mode of transportation, as the central issue is the travel time rather than the distance. The key is to arrive with enough time to make sure that Shabbat will be an honored and enjoyed day.

(Code of Jewish Law Orach Chaim 249:1; Mishnah Berurah 249:1)

Have a great day,
Mordechai