Shabbat
Lighting candles, the 39 forbidden categories of work, Kiddush, the meals, and Havdalah — the full halachic shape of Shabbat.
How do you prepare the home for Shabbat?
Buy or cook delicious food for Shabbat, prepare nice clean clothes, set up a hot plate and hot water urn.
When does Shabbat begin and how do you know?
Shabbat begins about twenty minutes before sunset.
How many minutes before sunset are Shabbat candles lit?
Different customs range from 22 to 40 minutes before sunset.
What is Tosefet Shabbat (adding to Shabbat)?
A mitzvah to accept Shabbat some time before sunset, adding weekday time to the sanctity of Shabbat.
When does Shabbat end and how do you know?
Shabbat ends when three stars appear in the sky.
Who is obligated to light Shabbat candles?
Everyone is obligated.
How many candles are lit at minimum? And what do they represent?
2 candles, corresponding to 'Shamor' (keep) and 'Zachor' (remember).
How are Shabbat candles lit?
Ashkenazim: light the candles, cover the eyes, and say the blessing.
What blessing is said over Shabbat candles?
'...who sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us to light the Shabbat candle'.
What is Kabbalat Shabbat?
A prayer recited upon the onset of Shabbat, composed of Psalms and the hymn 'Lecha Dodi,' usually sung.
How many prayers are there on Shabbat?
4: Arvit (evening), Shacharit (morning), Musaf (additional), Mincha (afternoon).
How many blessings are in the Shabbat prayer?
7: because on Shabbat we don't make requests in prayer; the 18 weekday blessings are condensed to 1, plus 3 opening and 3 closing.
How many people are called up to the Torah on Shabbat?
7 + a 'completing' aliyah called 'Maftir'.
What is the Haftarah? Where is it read from?
A chapter from the Prophets related to the weekly Torah portion, recited at the end of Torah reading.
The weekly Torah portion, divided into 54 portions that are read how?
One portion is read each week (sometimes two), completing the entire Torah each year.
How many times is the Torah read on Shabbat?
Twice.
How many times is Kiddush recited on Shabbat?
Twice, in the evening and in the morning after returning from prayer.
What is the difference between evening and morning Kiddush?
Evening, Kiddush from the Torah with multiple blessings.
How many challot are at the Shabbat meal?
Two challot, symbolizing the manna that fell from heaven, on Friday a double portion fell.
What does Shabbat commemorate?
1.
How many meals are there on Shabbat?
Three meals.
What are the 39 categories of work forbidden on Shabbat?
Torah-level prohibitions derived from the types of work done in building the Mishkan (portable Tabernacle) in the desert.
Is there a problem opening a refrigerator on Shabbat?
You need to arrange before Shabbat that the light won't turn on when the door opens; then there's no problem.
How do you heat food on Shabbat?
On a hot plate (plata).
What is Muktzeh?
The Sages forbade moving certain objects on Shabbat so a person won't be drawn into weekday activities.
Is it permitted to prepare things on Shabbat for after Shabbat?
No.
When is it permitted and even a mitzvah to desecrate Shabbat?
In case of danger to life (pikuach nefesh) or even suspected danger to life.
Is it obligatory to perform circumcision on Shabbat?
Yes, if the brit is on its proper day (the 8th day), even on Shabbat.
What is Havdalah and when is it performed?
Just as there's a mitzvah of Kiddush when Shabbat begins, there's a mitzvah of Havdalah over wine when Shabbat ends, to distinguish between the sacred and the mundane.
How many blessings are in Havdalah and what are they?
Four blessings (YaVNeH): 1.