Glossary

The entries selection comes from the book “Dictionary of Judaica” (2005), which was written by a group of authors led by Eva Kosáková . Entries were further processed by Jaroslav Kuntoš, Dana Veselská, Olga Sixtová, Michaela Scheibová and Lenka Uličná. The book can be purchased at our e-shop.

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Shabbat (Saturday, the day of rest)

The seventh day of the week, dedicated to prayer and rest. It commemorates the seventh day of Creation, when God ceased from work and sanctified this day. The importance of adhering to the prescripts laid down for this day is clear from the fact that observance of the Shabbat is one of the Ten Commandments. During the Shabbat, it is forbidden to work and to carry out a whole series of activities, such as lighting candles, cooking, sewing, writing, travelling or handling money.

Before the Shabbat, food is prepared, the home is cleaned and the dining table is festively decorated. The celebration of the Shabbat begins at home when the woman lights two candles over which a blessing is recited. In the synagogue, a prayer known as Kabbalat Shabbat (“Welcoming of Shabbat”) is included before the evening service, and the liturgy differs in a number of ways from the daily service. The service is followed by a festive meal at home, before which the father blesses his children and recites the blessing over wine and Shabbat bread (hallah or barkhes). The meal is accompanied by the singing of festive songs. The Torah is recited during the morning service in the synagogue and the additional Musaf prayer is followed by the second Shabbat meal. The afternoon is devoted to study, visits or rest. The afternoon service is followed by the third meal, which is accompanied by singing. The Shabbat ends after the evening service with the Havdalah (lit. “separation”) ceremony, during which the blessing is made over wine, fragrant spice (besamim) and candles.

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