Shabbat

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5 Unit(s), 26 Resource(s), 4 Teaching Tool(s)

Unit

The Why of Shabbat

What are the philosophical underpinnings of Shabbat observance that make it a critical area of religious observance throughout history? In this house this will be explored through the eyes of several contemporary Jewish thinkers.

Ages: 15-18,
Unit

The How of Shabbat

In this house the “how of shabbat observance” will be explored in all its complexity and diversity among the Jewish people today.

Ages: 15-18,
Unit

Shabbat Songs

This unit on Shabbat focuses on the songs and melodies that accompany Shabbat – during rituals and prayers, as well as modern-day songs.

Ages: 6-8, 9-11,
Unit

Shabbat – A Day of Rest and Holiness

This unit discusses the uniqueness of Shabbat as a day of rest from work and a day that is different from other days of the week.

Ages: 9-11, 12-14,
Unit

Shabbat – Rituals

This unit on Shabbat deals with the various ceremonies and rituals traditionally performed over the course of Shabbat – including candle lighting, kiddush (the blessing over the wine) and havdalah (the ceremony differentiating between Shabbat and the rest of the week).

Ages: 6-8, 9-11,
Resource

Shabbat as a Taster of the World to Come (the afterlife)

In this block we will look at three sources that compare the experience of observing shabbat to the World to Come (the afterlife).

Ages: 15-18,
Resource

Shabbat and Creation

In this block we will consider the connections between Shabbat and the Creation of the world.

Ages: 15-18,
Resource

Shabbat is the heart of Jewish life

In this block we will look at the historical, cultural, and sociological impact of shabbat observance on the Jewish people.

Ages: 15-18,
Resource

Shabbat and the Exodus

In this block we will consider the connections between Shabbat and the Exodus.

Ages: 15-18,
Resource

Shabbat is being in the present

In this block we will look at several sources who all approach shabbat as a means to pause and take stock, be present in the moment, and focus on ourselves.

Ages: 15-18,
Resource

The Spirit of Shabbat

In this block we will explore the overall theme of “rest” on shabbat as a way to maintain the spirit of shabbat.

Ages: 15-18,
Resource

Contemporary Approaches to Shabbat

In this block we will explore contemporary approaches to shabbat observance from various streams of Judaism that differ in some way from Orthodox observance.

Ages: 15-18,
Resource

Zachor – the “dos” of Shabbat

In this resource we will consider the positive aspects of Shabbat observance, including the positive mitzvot involved in an active Shabbat observance.

Ages: 15-18,
Resource

Shamor – the “do nots” of shabbat

In this block we will consider the classic Biblical and Talmudic sources for the prohibitions involved in shabbat observance.

Ages: 15-18,
Resource

Lighting Shabbat Candles

Lighting Shabbat candles is a ceremony that takes place at the beginning of Shabbat and is effectively how we bring in Shabbat.

Ages: 6-8, 9-11,
Resource

Little Gifts

We will use the song “Little Gifts” to discuss the special time on Friday as Shabbat approaches and the gifts these hours can give us.

Ages: 6-8, 9-11,
Resource

The Shabbat Queen

We will read the poem “The Shabbat Queen” by Chaim Nachman Bialik to learn about the main aspects of Shabbat and the ceremonies and customs of the day, in the order of their occurrence from Friday evening through sunset on Saturday.

Ages: 6-8, 9-11,
Resource

Shalom Aleichem

We will learn the song that is traditionally  sung on Friday night. The song blesses the angels which, according to Jewish legend, accompany us on Shabbat.

Ages: 6-8, 9-11,
Resource

Lecha Dodi

It is traditional to welcome Shabbat with psalms and poems (piyutim), including the song Lecha Dodi. This resource discusses the song and the feeling of anticipation and excitement as Shabbat approaches.

Ages: 9-11, 12-14,
Resource

Shabbat Rest for Everyone

In the book of  Shemot (Exodus) the commandment to keep Shabbat is set in a social and moral context. Shabbat rest is intended to apply equally to every person, regardless of class or socioeconomic status. This lesson will discuss the moral aspect of Shabbat as an inspiration to a more just society.

Ages: 9-11, 12-14,
Resource

Welcoming Shabbat – Kiddush

We will examine the Kiddush ritual, said over wine and Challah. We will discuss the blessings and the actions they accompany.

Ages: 6-8, 9-11,
Resource

Spice of Shabbat

We will read a rabbinic story to discuss the various elements that create a special atmosphere on Shabbat.

Ages: 6-8, 9-11,
Resource

Oneg Shabbat — Delighting in Shabbat

We will learn about what it means to delight in Shabbat, in light of the traditional commentary on the verse “and you call Shabbat a delight.”

Ages: 12-14,
Resource

Shabbat – Time To Contemplate Anew

Shabbat offers an opportunity to rest from the hectic pace of the week and to take a fresh look at our lives. We will study a text by Rabbi Mordecai Kaplan regarding this aspect of Shabbat.

Ages: 12-14,
Resource

Shabbat – A Palace in Time

Abraham Joshua Heschel compares Shabbat to a “palace in time” – a superior and special place we come to once a week.

Ages: 12-14,
Resource

Havdalah – Saying Good-Bye to Shabbat

We’ll learn about the havdalah ceremony and its different components.

Ages: 9-11,
Resource

Feeling Shabbat – People Creating Holiness

We will use a Hassidic story to discuss the power of symbols and human actions to create an atmosphere of Shabbat.

Ages: 12-14,
Resource

Kiddush and Kedusha

We’ll become familiar with the Kiddush blessing that is said on Friday evening. We’ll look at the concept of kedusha (holiness), in general, and the kedusha of Shabbat, in particular.

Ages: 12-14,
Resource

The Blessing for Sons and Daughters

We’ll learn about the blessing for sons and daughters that is said in many families on Friday evenings.

Ages: 6-8, 9-11,
Resource

Shabbat – An Island in a Tumultuous Ocean

With the help of a text written by Abraham Joshua Heschel, we will touch upon Shabbat’s essence as a moment in time in which we take a break from the hustle and bustle of the week, rest and connect to ourselves and to the sublime.

Ages: 12-14,
Resource

The First Shabbat

On the seventh day, God rested from the work of Creation.
The seventh day of Creation was designated as a day of rest — Shabbat. From the description of Shabbat in the Creation story, we will learn about how God rested and we will explore how we rest from our weekday routines.

Ages: 6-8, 9-11,
Teaching Tool

Kedusha Template

A template that helps students understand the abstract idea of holiness.

Ages: 12-14,
Teaching Tool

Havdallah Template

Template for activities in which we are parting from Shabbat through the character of the Prophet Eliyahu, a kind of Jewish "superhero" who offers us powers that we would like to take with us from Shabbat into the rest of the week.

Ages: 9-11,
Teaching Tool

Shabbat Gifts Template

Template for activities connected to the unit "Little Gifts". Shabbat offers us intangible "gifts", which we are able to experience through our five senses. The students will identify what they see as those gifts.

Ages: 6-8, 9-11,
Teaching Tool

Kabbalat Shabbat Template

Template for activities that the students suggest the variety of ways in which they can bring in Shabbat and celebrate Shabbat

Ages: 6-8, 9-11,