Your Shabbat Shopping List
Observing the Shabbat properly requires advance preparation. On Shabbat we can't go shopping. As such, certain items need to be on hand in advance.
Aside for traditional Shabbat foods, your Shabbat table will need:
- Candles and candlesticks
- Kosher wine or grape juice
- Kiddush cup
- Three loaves of challah
- A cutting board and cover for the challah
- A festive tablecloth
- Salt
For Havdalah you will need:
- Aromatic spices
- Braided candle
Preparing Your Home
Shabbat preparations make Shabbat all the more meaningful and preciousThe Shabbat laws prevent us from doing many household activities—we don't wash the floors, use a vacuum cleaner, turn the lights on or off, cook, or even warm up food. This requires us to take care of many chores before the Shabbat enters.
Shabbat preparations make Shabbat all the more meaningful and precious. The hard work drives home the understanding that we will soon be visited by a special guest—the Shabbat Queen.
Most types of washing and cleaning is forbidden on Shabbat, as is the use of all electric appliances. In order to greet Shabbat appropriately, organize a cleaning schedule so that by Friday afternoon, your home is clean, the sink clear of dishes, the floors washed, the carpets vacuumed, and the laundry folded and put away. Arrange to pick up Shabbat clothing from the dry cleaners and polish your shoes.
Set the Shabbat table and arrange the Shabbat candles. (For technical reasons, place a challah or a prayer book on the table along with the candles.)
Set all the lights, air conditioners and heat to how you'd like them set for the duration of Shabbat. Alternatively, you can buy timers and set them before Shabbat to go on and off at pre-designated times. Turn off the light bulb in the refrigerator.
Click here for information regarding pre-Shabbat food preparations.
