SHABBAT | LEARN ABOUT SHABBAT

Learn About Shabbat

The following resources are available in the Temple Emanu-El Weisberg and Budner Libraries.

Books for adults

Gates of Shabbat: a Guide for Observing Shabbat, by Marc Dov Shapiro. An authoritative how-to guide containing detailed yet concise information about the Sabbath at home and in the synagogue. It is designed for ease of use, and includes good “how-to” instructions for home rituals and clear transliterations of the Hebrew text.
Shabbat at Home, edited by Rabbi Lawrence Hoffman. Explores the liturgy for Shabbat, along with a broad range of z’mirot (table songs). It illuminates the meanings behind the traditional blessings for ushering in Shabbat, as well as the rituals and ceremony for concluding the holy day.
Shabbat: The Family Guide to Preparing for and Welcoming the Sabbath, by Ron Wolfson. From preparing yourself and your home for Shabbat, through the beautiful ritual of Havdalah, this essential sourcebook uses pictures, memories, recipes, and stories to help you create a happier, more inspiring, spiritually refreshing Shabbat.

Books for children

The Seventh Day, by Deborah Bodin Cohen. This story is a combination of the traditional Jewish creation myth, which leads to the beginning of the Sabbath, and a prayer in which God is referred to as a potter, a painter, and, a musician. Prayers for the wine and for Shabbat are included.
The Shabbat Box, by Lesley Simpson. Ira can’t wait until it is his turn to bring home his class’s “Shabbat Box,” but when it finally comes, he loses the box in a snowstorm. Extremely upset, he takes his mother’s words to heart when she asks, “How do you think we can solve this?” and he makes a new one to replace the original.
Shabbat Shalom!, by Michelle Shapiro Abraham. Tells the story of a family celebrating Shabbat. Filled with prayers and beautiful illustrations, it is a wonderful way to teach toddlers about lighting Shabbat candles, reciting the Kiddush, saying the blessing over the challah, and more.

CDs about Shabbat

Friday Night Live, by Craig Taubman. Friday Night Live is a service held at Sinai Temple in Los Angeles, CA designed for young people, ages 25-40, many of whom were estranged from the synagogue and Jewish life. Now the monthly service is an amazing “happening” that draws 2,000 people! This is a recording of the music from the service.
Kol HaShabbat/Voice of the Sabbath, by Eighteen. A collection of 17 new melodies for Sabbath liturgy. Eighteen produced this CD minimally, yet tastefully, by using only two acoustic guitars and piano to support the vocals.
With Every Breath: the Music of Shabbat, from Congregation B’nai Jeshrun. Includes 12 magnificent Shabbat songs/chants from the very popular Friday night service at “BJ” in New York City. The prayers are all from the Jewish Sabbath liturgy and the music has roots in the Sufi, Turkish, Ladino, Hebrew and Ashkenazi traditions. English lyrics and Hebrew transliteration are provided with the CD.