Shabbat Texts

Aishet Chayil is a special tribute to the Jewish woman. This song, written by King Solomon, sings the praises of the “woman of valor,” extolling her for her loves and labors and the light she brings to the Jewish home.

G-d declared the Shabbat holy, and we in turn sanctify it every week anew with “Kiddush.” Kiddush is recited on wine and officially begins the Shabbat meal.

The Friday night meal is a special time for friends and family to be together and celebrate the Shabbat spirit. We sing zemirot -- traditional Shabbat songs.

After the morning prayers, we once again pronounce the sanctity of Shabbat over a joyous cup of wine.

During the Shabbat day meal, we once again sing zemirot -- traditional Shabbat songs.

As we take leave of Shabbat after a night and day of divine rest, we once again pronounce the holiness of the day over a cup of wine during the Havdalah ("Separation") ceremony.

After the Havdalah ceremony, it is customary to recite the Ve-yiten Lecha, an anthology of biblical blessings: Isaac's blessings to Jacob, Jacob's blessings to Menasseh and Ephrayim, blessings pronounced by Moses, King David, etc.