This weeks Topic

Honoring Shabbos (Kavod Shabbos), Baking Challahs, & Shabbos Menu

Kavod Shabbos – Honoring Shabbos

The Law – The following matters fall under the Mitzvah of Kavod Shabbos:

• Bake Challahs for Shabbos, as opposed to buying them from a bakery, is included in Kavod Shabbos and Yom Tov
• Wear clean and nice clothing for Shabbos (Admur 242:1).
• Bathe in hot water before Shabbos (Admur 260:1).
• Cut hair and nails on Erev Shabbos (Admur 260:1).
• Clean the home, even removing cobwebs (Admur 262:2).
• Set the Shabbos table before candle lighting (Admur 262:1).
• Cover the table with a tablecloth for the whole Shabbos (Admur 262:1).
• Don’t eat a meal on Erev Shabbos past the 10th hour.

The Reason:
Shabbos is like welcoming a royal guest. We prepare ourselves and our homes to show respect.

Examples:

• Wear clean and nice clothing: Before Shabbos begins, David puts on his freshly pressed shirt and polished shoes, while his sister Miriam chooses her best dress, both honoring Shabbos with their finest clothes as if welcoming an important guest.
• Set the Shabbos table before candle lighting: Rachel helps her parents lay a beautiful white tablecloth, set out the nicest dishes, and arrange silverware on the table in preparation for Shabbos, making the dining room look elegant and welcoming for the family meal.

Challah & Food Preparation

The Law:

• Every household should bake challahs for Shabbos to use for Lechem Mishneh instead of buying from a bakery. This honors Shabbos and Yom Tov, and one should not deviate from this custom. (Admur 242:12).
• Minimum amount: Bake at least enough dough to require separating Challah.
• Why do many buy instead of bake today? Some Poskim permit buying challahs since bakeries provide fresh, tasty challahs, especially when Erev Shabbos is short and household work is heavy. Other Poskim maintain that one should not abandon the custom of baking at home.
• Mixing homemade and store-bought: It is acceptable to bake a few challahs and buy the rest from a bakery.
• When to bake: Ideally, bake challahs on Erev Shabbos. If not possible, baking on Thursday or Thursday night is also allowed.

The Reason:

• Baking challahs at home on Erev Shabbos is a tradition rooted in honoring Shabbos. Admur) The effort exerted in the kneading and baking for the sake of Shabbos, rather than buying it from a store, honors Shabbos. (M”B 242:6). Serving fresh, homemade bread adds further honor, as noted in Siddur Yaavetz and Likutei Mahrich.
• The tradition also reflects the showbread baked before Shabbos in the Temple (Siddur Yaavetz; Likutei Mahrich).
• Separating dough for challah is seen as rectifying Adam’s sin, which occurred on Erev Shabbos and is called the ‘Challah of the world’ (M”A 243:4; M”B 242:6).

• Example:
  On Friday morning, Sarah and her children gather in the kitchen to knead and braid dough, baking their own challahs for Shabbos instead of buying from the store. The home fills with a warm, inviting aroma, making the Shabbos table feel uniquely special.

    The Oneg Shabbos Menu

The Law:

• Eat foods considered delicacies in your country (Admur 242:2).
• Meat and wine are encouraged if they bring you joy (Admur 242:2).
• Fish should be eaten at the meals, especially Seudah Shlishis (Admur 242:7).
• Have at least two cooked dishes at each meal (Admur 242:7).

The Reason:
Shabbos is for delight. Each person should eat what makes them happy.

Examples:

• For adults: A fine wine or roast chicken.
• For kids: Maybe their favorite kugel, or a special dessert saved just for Shabbos.

Spending for Shabbos

The Law:

Money spent on Shabbos and Yom Tov meals is not counted in your yearly budget (Admur 242:3).

The Reason:

Hashem promises to “pay back” whatever we spend to honor Shabbos. It’s like having a special credit card from Hashem — every time you buy something for Shabbos, He refills it.

Example:

• Sarah wanted to buy a beautiful challah cover for Shabbos, but she was worried about the cost. Remembering the teaching that money spent for Shabbos is not counted in her yearly budget, she made the purchase. Later that week, Sarah unexpectedly received a bonus at work that covered the cost of the challah cover.
• David used part of his savings to buy extra treats and a nice bottle of grape juice for his family’s Shabbos meal. Even though it seemed like a stretch financially, he trusted that Hashem would “refill” what he spent for Shabbos. Soon after, David received a refund he hadn’t expected, making up for his expenses.