Friday, October 30, 2015

Why Light Two Shabbat Candles?

Question:

I’m wondering why we have a custom to light at least two Shabbatcandles. And why do some people light more than that? How do I know how many candles I should light?

Answer:

http://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/3114280/jewish/Why-Light-Two-Shabbat-Candles.htm

Wednesday, September 2, 2015

Shabbat, For Body And Soul

http://www.thejewishweek.com/editorial-opinion/musings/shabbat-body-and-soul

Friday, June 12, 2015

Nine Days of Breath: A Poem to Bring Life to Your Shabbat by Henry Rasof

Nishmat beriyah, breath of a creation.
Nishmat rakia, breath of firmament.
Nishmat eretz vamayim, breath of earth and oceans.
Nishmat aisev, breath of plant life.
Nishmat meorot, breath of sun and moon.
Nishmat haya, breath of animal kingdom.
Nishmat adam, breath of human.
Nishmat ochlah, breath of nourishment.
Nishmat shabbat, breath of rest.
© 2015 Henry Rasof
Take a deep breath on shabbat morning and read or recite or sing this poem.
Unlike some of the other nishmatim (liturgical poems that go with the prayer about the breath) I have posted to Boulder Jewish News, which precede the nishmat prayer, this one traditionally goes after the prayer and before “Ilu Filu” [“Could song fill our mouth as water fills the sea…” (Siddur Sim Shalom)].

Friday, May 29, 2015

Dalet: Turning Shabbat back into Shabbat · Jewschool

Dalet: Turning Shabbat back into Shabbat · Jewschool

There is a tension between preparing logistically and preparing spiritually, the same tension between doing and being we try to deal with on Friday night and on Havdallah. The week is for doing, and Shabbat is for being.
But life is not always so neat! Sometimes we find ourselves having a Shabbat moment during a Thursday evening yoga class, and sometimes we end up rushing to Shabbat services despite our best and most grounded intentions. 

Saturday, May 16, 2015

Shabbat Shalom - Finding Home

http://dailynexus.com/2015-05-15/shabbat-shalom-finding-home/

Friday, April 3, 2015

Taking Pause: Shabbat at Harvard

Growing up, observing Shabbat “wasn’t really a thing” in Klein’s family. But since arriving on campus he has become more observant, he explains. It’s a transformation he attributes to spending more and more time among other adherents to the Jewish faith. According to Rabbi Hirschy Zarchi, co-founder of the Chabad House at Harvard, this is common. Shabbat has been “the vehicle through which many young Jews have entered or connected with the Jewish community,” he explains.

http://www.thecrimson.com/article/2015/4/2/taking-pause-shabbat-at-harvard/