To celebrate Jewish American Heritage Month, the White House recently released the following historical proclamation.
In special honor of 250 glorious years of American independence and on the weekend of Rededicate 250 — a national jubilee of prayer, praise, and thanksgiving, Jewish Americans are encouraged to observe a national Sabbath. From sundown on May 15 to nightfall on May 16, friends, families, and communities of all backgrounds may come together in gratitude for our great Nation. This day will recognize the sacred Jewish tradition of setting aside time for rest, reflection, and gratitude to the Almighty.
The President of the United States, in other words, is encouraging all American Jews to keep Shabbat. And we enthusiastically agree.
To that end, we’d like to propose an idea. We already know you love challenges—after all, you’re a member of our Simchat Torah Challenge family—so we have another challenge we hope would be right up your alley. This Friday night, we’d like you to host Shabbat dinner.
It doesn’t have to be fancy—if you can’t cook, just grab some pizza and some kosher wine. It doesn’t have to be massive—even inviting one fellow Jew over is enough. But it has to be joyous, and it has to be special, and it has to be a celebration of our rockin’ American Jewish community.
The good food and great company alone are their own reward, as is knowing that you’re partaking in a tradition Jews have been observing for millennia. But if that’s not enough, we have not one, not two, but three other treats for you.
First, while you’re dreaming of a beautiful Shabbat table, we’re here to help that dream come to life. Click here to join the Simchat Torah Challenge and be entered to win our Shabbat Judaica Set Giveaway, courtesy of our partners at The Nosh Table. The giveaway includes Shabbat candle sticks, a kiddush cup and brand new challah cover, a $255 value. We’re so excited about this that we’re giving away, not one, but two sets. For the official giveaway rules, click here.
Second, when you sign up, we'll send you our brand new Shabbat Book, an all-you-need-to-know-to-get-started guide to making a proper and amazing Shabbat. It breaks down the meaning of Shabbat and how to actually do it into 10 easy steps.
And third, because Shabbat and the weekly parsha go together like a wink and a smile, we’re including three questions for you to discuss with your guests around the Shabbat table, so that the conversation elevates everyone present.
Ready? Reach out and invite someone for Shabbat. Your soul will thank you later.
Your All-American Shabbat Table Discussion Guide
This week, we begin reading the Book of Bamidbar, also known as Numbers, the fourth of the Five Books of Moses. Here are a few conversation starters to get your Shabbat meal off to a great start:
1. The book begins with a very detailed count of the Tribes of Israel. Why do these numbers matter? Why count the people so meticulously and methodically?
2. The counting is done in the desert, hence the book’s Hebrew name—Bamidbar means “in the desert.” Why count in the middle of the wilderness? Why not wait until the Israelites enter the land of Israel, or find some shady and beautiful oasis?
3. The parsha spends a lot of time telling us the precise order in which the different tribes’ camps were arranged. Why? Does the order matter? Is it trying to teach us some deeper lesson about the Jewish people?
