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Erev Shabbos Checklist[1]

 Thursday

• On Thursday buy the foods that require cooking in order so one has enough time to prepare them.

• Begin preparing for Shabbos in the morning of Erev Shabbos.
• Tidy the home
• Sweep and mop dirt from the floors
• Remove cobwebs from the walls and ceiling
• Sharpen the knives
• Set the Shabbos table
• Open all cans needed for Shabbos such as cans of tuna, corn, olives, pickles.
• Open all closed bags of food and paper ware, such as cake wrappers, plastic plates, potato chips etc
• Polish silverware, Kiddush cup, candlesticks
• Separate garbage bags for Shabbos if they are attached
• Cut tablecloths for each meal if they are attached or are one large roll.
• Place tissues in the bathroom. Open the tissue bag.
• Cut toilet paper, if no tissues are available.
• Tape or cover light switches if necessary.

 Food Preparations

• Begin preparing for Shabbos in the morning of Erev Shabbos.
• The father of the house is to personally prepare his favorite Shabbos dish. At the very least he should prepare one thing for Shabbos.
• Bake Chalas on Erev Shabbos
• Freeze ice cubes if needed
• Prepare dips or salads for the first course
• Cook at least two foods which will be eaten during the meal
• Boil water
• Invite guests

  Bodily Preparations

• Begin your Erev Shabbos meal before the 10^th hour of the day. [three Zmaniyos hours before sunset]
• Cut your nails.
• Get a haircut if needed.
• After cutting nails recite Shnayim Mikra after midday
• Bathe entire body in hot water
• After Shnayim Mikra immerse in a Mikveh
• Wear fresh clothing for Shabbos. One is to try to arrange that every piece of his clothing that he wears is designated to be worn only on Shabbos.
• Polish Shoes
• Brush hat
• Untie any double knots in clothing or shoes that will be worn on Shabbos
• Apply necessary creams, deodorant, makeup before Shabbos
• Brush teeth

   Close to Shabbos checklist

• Taste the Shabbos foods to see if they need anything added.
• Prepare the Blech: Prepare Blech with enough time for the food to become hot before Shabbos if it were to be cold. [This applies even if the food is currently hot.]
• Prepare the Shabbos clock.
• Put away all Muktzah items, such as phones etc
• Verify the refrigerator light is off.
• Verify your water boiler is on Shabbos mode.
• Check your pockets to verify they do not contain Muktzah, or any item if there is no Eiruv.
• Give charity prior to lighting candles or leaving to Shul for Mincha.
• Accept Shabbos with joy!
• Daven Mincha with extra concentration.

Good Shabbos!