The Shabbat Meal

Rebbetzin Esther Winner and Helen Zegerman Schwimmer

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The Shabbat Meal

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Introduction

There is a famous tale of a king who came to a city disguised in rags. It was Friday night and he stopped at a window to observe a family sitting down to Shabbos dinner. The family looked so happy and the food looked so delicious that the next day the king summoned the town's rabbi and asked him to prepare such a feast for him. The rabbi agreed to instruct the king's expert chefs how to bake the challah, cook the gefilte fish, the soup, the kugels, the chickens and the finest desserts. However, when the king eagerly sat down to his long awaited meal he was very disappointed. Something was missing. The king again summoned the rabbi. Yes, the rabbi, agreed. The most important ingredient, Shabbos, was missing. Only the taste of Shabbos can elevate an ordinary meal into a meal fit for a king.

As you begin to prepare your Shabbos feast you will see by our menu that there is an appropriate order of the Shabbos Meal. First comes the challah, followed by the fish, the salads, the soup, the main course and then the desserts. The fish is always served and eaten before the meat dish and the two courses never appear on the table at the same time.

We hope you enjoy the spirit and the taste of Shabbos in your own home.

Rebbetzin Esther Winner
Helen Zegerman Schwimmer

Challah

Rebbetzin Esther Winner and Helen Zegerman Schwimmer

Note: The laws of Shabbat rest mandate that all cooking and baking be done before Shabbat, and regulate food preparation done on Shabbat in other ways as well. For more information, see Food Preparation on Shabbat.

Note: All processed foods used for kosher cooking must bear kosher certification, leafy greens and other veggies must be checked for infestations, and all cooking must be done on kosher utensils, with meat and dairy kept separate.

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12 Comments

Rebecca Lee Florida June 15, 2015

Thank YOU Rebbi Esther Winner That was so beautiful and so are you! Mere words can not express my sincere gratitude! Shalom sweet lady! Reply

Michelle Comeslast Roy, WA December 14, 2014

Love this video! I loved this so much, I purchased the dvd. Have you considered making other discs for other holidays? Would love to see one on the High Holy days or Chanukah! Reply

Michelle ComesLast Tacoma, WA June 16, 2014

Dear Rebbetzin Esther Thank you! I love this video so much, I purchased my own copy. It's wonderful to see and showing how to prep ahead also helps with thinking about planning. Thank you for inviting us into your lovely home! Reply

marjorie grady, nm July 17, 2011

a taste of Shabbat i love the video and thank you and every soul who contributed to it's content and making. can i buy or receive a dvd of it? i would love to share this with my sisters, in our place of meeting, but do not have computer access there. Reply

Chani Benjaminson for chabad.org August 23, 2010

Written Recipes Sure, you can click here to find the various recipes by Rebbetzin Winner and Ms. Zegerman Schwimmer: A Taste of Shabbos.. Reply

Sara Jerusalem, Isreal August 23, 2010

WRITTEN RECIPE is there a link to where all the recipes here are written? Reply

Shoshana Brooklyn, NY February 22, 2010

it doesn't have to be expensive To Anonymous in Toronto:

you don't need a mixer to make challah, you can just buy a fish loaf, and sometimes our chicken soup does double duty for the main meal. Pick and choose. Most people, unless they're having a lot of guests, don't cook as much as Mrs. Winner does here. It's a video so she was probably trying to be inclusive. I always learned that food on Shabbos is automatically better anyway. Reply

y g November 12, 2009

this video is always interesting! B"H
I've watched it a few times, to get the different recipes and there is always something to learn in it! Reply

Anonymous Toronto June 28, 2009

Although the presentation is extremely nice and inviting, however, most people can't afford the the fancy kitchen equipment, the expensive silver ware, the cost of the food even. Perhaps a video showing the simpler presentaion with more on the meaning of Shabbos would reach out to more people.

Some people like myself feel sad that they can't have he kind of Shabbos that you presented. Reply

Anonymous Richland Center, WI June 2, 2009

Shabbos Dear Rebbetzin Esther,
I have reciently discovered my great-grandparents and grandmother were Jewish. Perhaps this is the reason I have felt a strong affinity/love for the Jewish people for as long as I can remember.

I wanted to thank you for your beautiful presentation of the tradition of Shabbos as well as the wonderful recepies.

I'm not sure you intended to reach-out to a lost soul however, you have awakened in me a greater desire to draw close to G-d and His ways. Reply

Peninnah Cunningham Kentucky, USA December 31, 2008

Shabbos Dear Rebbetzin Esther,

Thank you for taking the time to make this video. It is very informative and enjoyable to watch.

I learned a lot, and now more fully understand just how holy G-d's sabbath is meant to be for His people. Reply

Tracy Deakyne Saylorsburg, Pa August 30, 2008

A Taste Of Shabbos Mrs. Winner,
Wow!!!
I loved the recipes and I loved how your family all said Good Shabbos at the end.Your girls are very beautiful, I hope to try your recipes soon!!! My sisters, mom and I absolutely LOVE to cook and bake so we'll enjoy those recipes!!! Reply

The Shabbat Meal

The Shabbat Meal

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The Shabbat Meal

The Shabbat Meal

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Introduction

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