Shabbat Meals

The prophet says (Isaiah 58:13): "And you shall call the Sabbath a pleasure." On the Sabbath, we rise above worldly work and focus on more sublime goals, such as God and family. Our sages explain that part of the pleasure of Shabbat is eating three meals, a time when family bonds are strengthened.

The first two, Friday night and Saturday at noon, consist of full meals, while the third, towards Saturday afternoon, is generally lighter.

The preparations:

The table is usually set with a white tablecloth, by the light of Shabbat candles, in front of two challahs – loaves of bread. The first two meals begin with a kiddush – sanctification – recited over a cup of wine.

After the Kiddush, the hands are ritually washed before eating bread, the blessing over the bread is recited over the two challahs, and at least one is cut out to be eaten and distributed to the other participants in the meal.

It's customary to eat fish first, and then, on a separate plate and with different cutlery, meat or chicken. Some people have soup between the fish and the meat course.

It is a moment of elevation above the rush and nervousness of the week, and an excellent opportunity to share a reflection on some topic from the Torah, such as the weekly reading or some story.

It concludes with the blessing after the meals.