The preparations for Shabbat make it all the more special and precious. The hard work brings to the house the feeling that we will soon be visited by a very special guest, Queen Shabbat. Below is a short list of preparations to make before Shabbat.
Shopping list
Shopping is not allowed on Shabbat, so certain things must be prepared in advance.
- Candles and candlesticks.
- Kosher wine or grape juice.
- A glass for Kidush.
- Three jalot (breads).
- A festive tablecloth.
- Salt
For the closing ceremony of Shabbat (Havdala) you need:
- Aromatic spices (such as cloves).
- A braided candle.
The house also needs to be prepared. Since many cleaning activities are prohibited on Shabbat, it's a good idea to make sure the house will be clean by Friday afternoon.
Furthermore, turning electrical equipment on or off is prohibited on Shabbat, so lights, air conditioning, and heating should be turned on Friday and left running throughout Shabbat. The refrigerator light should be turned off or removed before opening it on Shabbat.