This article is in the November/December 2023 Issue 15 of Torah Sisters Magazine.

I asked the Torah Sisters on Facebook, “What is a Friday night Sabbath tradition that you have?” Below are their answers. Enjoy!

We light a Shabbat candle, say some prayers to acknowledge Shabbat, pray over the children, intercede as needed, and have a time of worship Friday eve. Saturday afternoon, we have fellowship with the church. -Charli

I send a message (usually the Aaronic blessing)to my non-Torah family and friends, just reminding them that I am signing off for the sabbath and telling them I love them. Then I shut off my phone for Sabbath. I light a candle while my husband puts on our favorite worship music. We step outside to blow the shofar and listen to it echo over the lake. We say a blessing and sit down for our dinner. -Felicia

We watch movies and eat pizza. Cuz #singlemomlife (Yeah, you can share that. I’m sure there’s another mom out there somewhere who wants to know she’s not the only one who doesn’t “have it all together.”) -Charity

We stand on the deck at sunset, and each of our children takes a turn blowing the shofar. They’re better than us! -Alexis

We have made the Shabbat Shalom song by Joshua Aaron our tradition for Friday evening to welcome in Shabbat. The kids like to dance around while we sing! Sometimes they even get out the ukelele or harmonica or tambourines and just make all kinds of joyful noise. We try to always have a nice traditional meal and use a special cup to pass around grape juice with our challah bread. I make a cinnamon honey butter spread for the challah that makes it extra yummy. Then we do a short reading. But my favorite sabbath tradition comes Saturday morning when we have a special breakfast in bed day to encourage lounging and resting a little longer, especially for the little ones. We all gather on the big king-sized bed. The kids love it because they aren’t normally allowed to eat in the rooms. Its usually leftover challah bread with honey or jelly and fruit and or yogurt or muffins, which are quick, easy things set out on a big carry tray to make it less messy. This has been the best thing I’ve done so far for encouraging rest, peace, relationship, and fun with the kids. -Brooke

We put a menorah-type candleholder (with seven candles) out and go around the table, asking each child what Yahweh created on each of the seven days of creation. The first child answers for day 1, the second for day 2, etc., as we light each candle. -Holly

I keep it really simple. Hubby doesn’t let me light candles.(We have kitties). He isn’t Torah pursuant. I make him one of our favorite meals. Sometimes I drink wine with it. I pray, then eat and spend time talking with hubby. Then I try to read a couple of chapters of the Bible or watch a video of a Torah teacher I like. I pray and thank YHWH. If my husband wants to watch a movie, we do that. And absolutely no dishes or housework is done! -Michelle

My children help me make and braid the challah. My daughter, at age 5, asked if she could braid my hair. After it was braided, I said, “Who taught you how to braid?” She said, “You did, Mommy when we make bread.” The little things we don’t know we’re teaching. -Heidi

We gather with our fellowship every Friday evening to bring in Shabbat together. We share a potluck meal, a short lesson for the children, sing a few songs together, and discuss a portion of Scripture. -Dana

I start by setting the table with our special dishes and putting out everything we need, such as candles and liturgy. It helps to build anticipation of our evening meal, our day of rest and creates an atmosphere of satisfaction. Lighting the candles and thanking God for Shabbat is very meaningful to me, but when my children stand up and call me blessed while my husband is reciting the blessings over me always puts a tear in my eyes. God’s blessings are always good, and keep on giving. -Janiece

We both blow our shofars at sunset, myself and my husband, off our backyard deck, which goes throughout our neighborhood. -Jean

We watch a Bible-based show or movie (Prince of Egypt, Ruth, Esther, etc). My daughter also turns on battery-powered candles in the living room, dining room, and restroom, so they’re on for all of Shabbat. -Seli

My goal is to make Friday night Shabbat dinners special and memorable for my children. I want them to have memories of cozy family time full of love and centered on Ya’s goodness! I try and always have candles on the table, set it nicely, and have dessert. We don’t generally have dessert during the week, so it is special for that day! During dinner, we take turns sharing about the things that we are grateful for from that week and the things that were challenges that we needed the Lord’s help and how He helped us or what we need to continue praying for. When we finish dinner, we move to the living room and have a dance party with Joshua Aaron’s Shabbat Shalom song and other fun praise songs. Then get ready for bed and read Bible stories. If we have time, my husband will play the piano and lead us in worship together which is always special and a wonderfully peaceful way to set the tone for Shabbat together! -Jessica

We have a special tablecloth that we use for our Welcoming Sabbath meal. I cook something special, and we light a candle and read a short bible story to the kids. We end with thanking the Father. My 4-year-old son always recognizes when I put the tablecloth on, “Is tomorrow sabbath?! Dad gets to stay home!” It’s so cute. -Lauren

Growing up, it was the only time we had a dessert. Also, we would use candles on the table. We kids really looked forward to Friday night dinners! -Ruth

We do run arounds! After Sabbath dinner, the kids each get to pick an upbeat worship or praise song, and we crank up the music and dance! -Cassidy

We do the candle lighting and blessing, kiddish, and then eat a nice sit-down dinner together. -Anne

We have a Shabbat meal with a coworker every Shabbat, and then we go over the Torah portion since he’s learning about Shabbat and Torah. -Christine

We turn on the fireplace and gather around in the living room with yummy snacks and have big conversations! -Carrie

During winter, I’ll do a heavier meal, dessert, and light candles. During summer, we have Friday night pizza and ice cream. In both seasons, supper is usually followed by a faith-based movie.
I just focus on quality family time and thank Yah for His blessings! -Erin

I make time to bake my own challah, ensure the house is clean, and that everyone is ready to enjoy family time and rest the next day. -Alethea

As sundown hits, I do some deep breathing and thank God with a smile on my face for His perfect rest! -Sharon

One of our family traditions on Friday night is to have a Torah Treat. We have a special dessert or treat that reminds us that the Torah is sweet and good. -Katie

We have special prayer time for each member of the family, we sing scriptures that go with the parashah that week. For my nieces, I write out special scripture books also. -Trina