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Celebrating the Holidays
One of women’s most important duties continued to be preparing for home-centered holidays. The three most likely to be observed are the Sabbath, Passover, and Chanukah.
Sabbath
Sabbath is sacred time — a day of rest set apart from weekday activities that commemorates God’s rest after the creation of the world. The holiday begins on Friday at sunset and continues until sunset on Saturday.
Women are responsible for lighting candles before sunset on Friday, a ritual that separates ordinary time from the Sabbath. The candle-lighting ritual links generations of Jewish women; many use candlesticks handed down from mother to daughter. Sabbath (English), Shabbos (Yiddish), and Shabbat (Hebrew) all refer to the day of rest.
Translation of the blessing over candles:
Blessed are You, Adonai,
our God, ruler of the Universe,
Whose commandments add holiness to our lives,
and Who has commanded us
to kindle the Sabbath lights.
top photo: Mrs. Ida Geller arranging the Sabbath candles; Fargo, North Dakota, about 1950. Courtesy of the Jewish Historical Society of the Upper Midwest.
inset photo, top right: Unmatched brass Sabbath candlesticks, Lithuania, about 1890. Courtesy of Hattie Goldish, Duluth, MN.
inset photo, middle left: Silver kiddush cup, Lithuania, about 1850. Every Jewish holiday begins with a special prayer called the kiddush, followed by a blessing over the wine and bread. Courtesy of Ruth Davis, Minneapolis, MN.
inset photo, bottom right: Challah cover embroidered in 1899. Courtesy of Nettie Levin, Minneapolis, MN.
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