How do we add a special ambiance to our Shabbat meals?

Question:

I'm newly married, and my husband and I eat dinner together every weeknight. I work full time so can't cook anything very special for Shabbat—though I try—and I can't seem to make the Shabbat dinner stand out from any other night's. We also live in a very small community, making company almost impossible. Any ideas how to create some Shabbat ambiance with just the two of us?

Answer:

I appreciate how difficult your situation can be. Here's some ideas to make Shabbat a really special experience:

a) Food does make a huge difference. It doesn't have to be anything time consuming or complicated to make, but if you have some foods that you only eat on Shabbat, that in itself will make a difference to your table. It might also help to try making some things in advance, to avoid a Friday afternoon rush. Check out our Shabbat Recipes section, you're sure to find there plenty of traditional quick 'n easy recipes.

b) One of the things that characterizes a Shabbat meal is singing. These songs are known as Shabbat zemirot, literally "Shabbat songs." The beautiful spiritual feeling they add to the Shabbat table is indescribable. In truth, all Jewish songs can do the trick. Invest in some good Jewish music, and choose your favorites to sing at the Shabbat table. Or go to our Jewish Music and Song section, where you will find a selection of Shabbat and other Jewish songs.

c) Another aspect of your meal which can really enhance the uniqueness of the Shabbat experience is the subject of conversation. We're taught that mundane discussions should not be held on Shabbat. I think you'll find that customizing your conversations to fit the spirit of Shabbat will add a lot to your enjoyment of the day. I would suggest making it a point to prepare a thought beforehand to discuss, perhaps something on the weekly Torah portion (see our Parshah section for loads of ideas) or any relevant Torah issue which may have cropped up during the week. You can also print out a PDF version of our Parshah in Depth, which you can both read and discuss while you enjoy your meal.

Malkie Janowski for Chabad.org

By Malkie Janowski

Malkie Janowski is an accomplished educator who lives in Coral Springs, Florida. Mrs. Janowski is also a responder on Chabad.org's Ask the Rabbi team.

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August 9, 2011

shabbos difference

I try clearing the dining table and set up the special white shabbos tablecloth already a few hours before candle-lighting. I found out that if I do so, it´s suddenly easier to set the table afterwards. The candles are already set on the candlesticks, on their special plate, thursday night.
I try do bake challos and/or kugel (grate potatoes, sweet potatoes, zucchini, carrot, add an egg or two, oil, a little flower, salt and pepper, bake for 40 min) on thursday too. It depends if you have the time.
I also try to do a fresh salad for seudat shlishit, and a potato/egg salad we really eat only on shabbos.
It does make a difference: it´s shabbos food if you prepare it only for that day.
We usually eat chicken only on shabbos too (except leftovers), so that´s already a nice smell in the home and something to look forward to. I cook chicken on a bed of carrot slices, with water, delicious.
If you can bake chocolate cake, count 2-3 cakes: one for shabbos, the rest to freeze. enjoy!

sho770
Düsseldorf, Germany

February 27, 2008

Adding ambiance to Shabbos dinner

I fully understand your dilemna. If you live in a home with a kitchen & separate dining room, the odds are you eat dinner in the kitchen. For Shabbos (& holidays) use your dining room with a "special" table cloth. Different dishes & glasses reserved for Shabbos & holidays (other than Pesach) also make a difference. If you light candles, try to light them in an area where you can view them from your table. While these are physical & material ideas, they do help. Of course, as mentioned above, song & conversation help to elevate the Shabbos experience.

Gary Edelstein
Buffalo Grove, IL

February 27, 2008

Recipes.

To Ms. Malkie Janowski. I found your advice very sound and very realistic. The one thing I am not happy about it is the recipe section you are referring to. Unfortunately it is pretty, how should I say it, ahh simple, for the lack of better word. Just like the kosher industry in general is trailing behind the one that is not so kosher, (something that I do not understand and probably never will), so is the recipe section here is trailing far behind any spiritual recipes you can find on this site. I believe it is time for kosher industry to buckle up and get in with the program. The are millions of foods and recipes that could be made kosher and affordable. Until this happens we will continue to lose people who are not looking for spiritual and do not see importance and necessity of kosher. When the kosher recipes section will catch up with the spiritual we will see people by ten fold switching to eat kosher.

Charlie