Shabbat & Havdalah

From Reveler Rowyn Peel:
Shabbat is the weekly day of rest, which we celebrate from Friday at sunset to Saturday at nightfall. In the creation story, God rested on the seventh day, and in the Torah, we are specifically commanded to rest on the seventh day as well. It is an important reminder in our busy world to take time to reflect on the past week, to meditate on spirituality, and to simply rest.

There are many varied interpretations and traditions of how to celebrate shabbat, from refusing to flick a light switch, cook, or write, to performing in a Revels show or working in the garden (it’s not work if it’s fun, right?) Whatever your personal interpretation of the commandment, resting is sacred. Therefore, on Friday nights, we ritually light candles, drink wine, and eat challah, and we wish each other Shabbat Shalom! (A peaceful shabbat!)

Havdalah refers to the ritual closing of Shabbat on Saturday at nightfall. We light a special braided candle, smell herbs, and sip wine, all while chanting or singing the relevant blessings, to allow ourselves one last moment of reflection and gratitude for Shabbat. At the end of the ritual, we say Shavuah Tov! (Have a good week!)

We invite you to celebrate Shabbat and Havdalah with us by learning how to bake challah and joining us in the ritual blessings for Friday evening and Saturday night!