Image from elohists.blogspot.com
KINDLE THE SABBATH LIGHTS
Blessed are YOU, YHWH,
Creator and Master of the universe,
Who set apart the Sabbath,
in the beginning of earthly time,
Who purposefully designed a work-week of 6 days and added a 7th day on which
You Yourself rested from Your creative endeavors,
to model to all humankind that we might cease from our strivings for our benefit,
and simply rest and enjoy Your appointed time with us.
Oh LORD of the Sabbath, YHWH,
Whose Omnipresence is most coveted,
most welcome and therefore presumed to be in the midst of all Sabbath-keepers–
whether individually, with family, or with our faith community.
We thank You for honoring us with Your Presence.
Image from journeytopenuel.com
Blessed are YOU,
Oh LIGHT of the world,
Who dispels darkness in vision and in mind,
Whose LIGHT we reflect as light-bearers,
having been enlightened by Your Torah
which illuminates our lives,
and directs our decisions, big and small,
as we navigate through our individual pathways
during our lifetime on this earth.
We join your chosen people
who have taught us cherished family traditions
by lighting these Sabbath candles,
as reminder that we are not simply lamp-lighters
but are lamps ourselves
who dispel the darkness of ignorance and close-mindedness,
complacency and religious intolerance,
unbelief, disbelief, and indifference not only to the Truth that You exist
but also the truth that all existence emanate from You.
Light-bearers are we to others who are truth-seekers,
and just like Israel, Your light to the gentiles,
may it be that in little ways and big ways,
we will find many occasions and opportunities
to lead others towards Your Torah which ultimately leads to You,
O, YHWH, LIGHT of our darkened world.
Image from www.singsnap.com
Blessed are You,
YHWH our Creator,
Who blesses us with joys and pleasures in life,
symbolized by this fruit of the vine.
We celebrate Your Sabbath
and are grateful for the enjoyment we derive from this day,
in Your Presence,
and in our fellowship with one another.
We partake of this fruit of the vine,
and with observant Israel together we say:
” To LIFE! L’CHAIM! “
Blessed are You, YHWH, our Provider,
Who designed this earth to bring forth produce,
for the nourishment of all living creatures,
but specially for the life-nourishing food for both survival and pleasure of humankind.
Just as bread is nourishment to our body,
Your Torah nurtures every aspect of our life.
We partake of this bread, a symbol of Your provision for our every need.
Blessed are You, YHWH, the Eternal, our Heavenly Father,
Who has given us life through our parents_________________,
and blessed us with siblings_________________________;
Who had blessed the covenant of marriage we made with our chosen partners____________,
We thank you for the privilege of being co-creators in the miracle of life
by birthing children: sons____________, daughters_____________,
Their extended families: chosen spouses __________ and children______________
SABBATH MEAL
Image from curtis.loftinnc.com
TORAH STUDY
Image from www.cllnswbpgfx.com
HAVDALAH
What a blessed day is YHWH’s Sabbath!
We anticipate welcoming the day on erev,
rest our bodies and minds in a good night’s sleep,
wake up refreshed, ready for a whole day with
YHWH our Adonai Elohim.
We come together, praise Him together,
sip our wine, break bread,
discuss Words of Life in YHWH’s TORAH,
and then sundown comes
to signal the end another Sabbath.
How many have there been since the first Sabbath in Eden?
We bless You, LORD of the Sabbath,
for blessing us with Your Sanctuary in time.
Until we meet again next Shabbat,
may we be fruitful for YHWH,
be useful to family and friends,
be helpful to fellowmen,
do our part to tend His planet earth,
and may YHWH prosper the work of our hands
for the next 6 days of this week!
We love You, we praise You, we bless You,
YHWH,
Creator and Master of the Universe
God who chose Israel,
God chosen by Sinaites
God of all nations whether they chose You or not,
You are GOD!
Amen!
Image from www.eliyah.com
NSB@S6K