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Sabbath Liturgy
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An Abbreviated Messianic Sacred-Name Sabbath Liturgy
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Lighting the Candles
A woman lights the candles, since it was a woman who brought Messiah, the light of the world. If you are unable to begin this part of the ceremony before sundown, leave out the candle-lighting. (Exodus 35:3) We begin with a blessing:
Baruch Atah Yahweh, Eloheynu, Melech ha-olam
Asher kid'shanu b'mitzvotav, v'tzivanu al haShabbat.
(Blessed are You, Yahweh our Elohim, King of the Universe,
Who has set us apart by His commandments
and given us orders concerning the Sabbath.)
Shalom Aleikhem
This song welcomes the angels who bring a "second soul" so that we may be more spiritually perceptive during Shabbat:
Shalom Aleikhem, malakhey-haSha'aret, Malakhey Elyon.
Mi melekh malkhey haM'lakhim, HaKadosh; Barukh Hu.
Boakhem l'shalom malachey haShalom,Malakhey Elyon.
Mi-melekh malkhey haM'lakhim, HaKadosh; Barukh Hu.
(Peace to you, ministering angels, messengers of the Most High, from the Supreme King of Kings, The Holy One; blessed be He. Enter in peace, messengers of peace...)
WASHING OF THE HANDS
While a complete mikvah (immersion) is a picture of a our rebirth in Y'shua, hand-washing is a picture of the day-to-day repentance we need due to our interaction with the world and our own selfishness, before we consciously enter Yahweh's presence. (Yochanan/John 13:10)
Baruch Atah Yahweh, Eloheynu, Melech ha-olam
Asher kid'shanu b'mitzvotav, v'tzivanu al t'shuvah.
(Blessed are You, Yahweh our Elohim, King of the Universe, Who has set us apart by His commandments
And given us orders concerning repentance.)
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Kiddush (Setting Apart)
By this ceremony we mark the fullonset of the Sabbath and the end of the work-week:
Barukh Atah, Yahweh,
Eloheynu, Melekh ha-olam,
Borey p'ri ha-gafen.
(Blessed are You, Yahweh our Elohim,
King of the Universe, who creates the fruit of the vine.)
Blessed are You, Yahweh our Elohim,
Who has set us apart by Your commandments and has loved us. His holy Shabbat He has lovingly and graciously bestowed upon us, recalling the act of creation. It is the first of the holy assemblies,
a remembrance of the exodus from Egypt.
You have chosen and set us in a separate category from all the nations. Your holy Shabbat You have lovingly and graciously bestowed upon us.
Blessed are You, Yahweh our Elohim, who sets the Shabbat apart.
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Ha Motzi (The Blessing Over Bread)
We salt two loaves of bread which recalls the salting of the sacrifices in the Temple for their preservation, and reminds us that Yahweh's covenant with Israel is eternal. The two loaves are symbolic of the two houses of Israel, as well as the double portion of manna provided the day before the Sabbath.
Baruch Atah, Yahweh,
Eloheynu, Melekh ha-olam,
Ha Motzi lekhem min ha-aretz..
(Blessed are You, Yahweh our Elohim, King of the Universe, who brings forth bread from the earth.)
Blessed are You, Yahweh our Elohim, who brought Y'shua, the Bread of Life, out from the earth!
Eyshet Khayil ("A Capable Wife")
(Read Proverbs 31:10-31)
Blessing the Children
Over our sons we say:
Y'simkha Elohim k' Ephraim w-k'Menashe.
(May Yahweh make you like Ephraim and Manasseh.)
And over our daughters:
Y'simekh Elohim k'Sarah, Rivqah, Rahel, v'Leah.
(May Yahweh make you like Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel, and Leah.)
The children respond with:
"May Yahweh bless our love for one another!"
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Aaronic blessing over all Israel
Yivarekh'kha Yahweh v'yishmarekha.
Yaer panav elekha vikhunekha.
Yisa Yahweh panav elekha vayasiml'kha shalom.
("May Yahweh bless you and watch over you.
May Yahweh make His face to shine on you and show you favor. May Yahweh lift up His countenance on you, and establish you with total well-being.")
MA'ARIV AROVIM:
Blessed are You, O Yahweh, who brings on evenings.
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L'KHA DODI ("Come, O Bride!")
There are many levels to this ceremony of welcoming the Shabbat. The Shabbat is a bride, but we who welcome her are also the Bride. We are the city that is being rebuilt of living stones on the foundation of the prophets and apostles, Yahshua being its corner-stone, for the Bride is a city. Read it as not just welcoming, but becoming the Shabbat.
Lekha dodi, Lekha dodi likrat kalah!
P'ney shabbat n'kabbelah. (repeat after each verse)
(Come, my beloved, to welcome the bride! Let us receive the Sabbath's presence!)
Observe and remember!
The one and only Elohim caused us to hear in a single utterance: Yahweh is ekhad [one] and His Name is ekhad--for renown, for beauty, and for praise.
Come, let us go to welcome the Sabbath, for it is the source of blessing.
From the beginning, from aforetime, it was chosen--
last in creation, first in Yahweh's thought.
Sanctuary of the King, royal city! Arise and go forth from your ruins. Too long have you dwelt in the valley of weeping. He will show you abounding mercy!
Shake the dust off yourself! Arise, don your glorious garments, My people. Through the Son of Yishai (Jesse) of Beyth Lehem, draw near to my soul and redeem it!
Wake up! Wake up, for your Light has come! Rise up and shine!
Awake, awake, sing a song! The authority of Yahweh is revealed upon you.
Feel not ashamed nor humiliated; why are you downcast? Why are you agitated? The afflicted of My people will find refuge in you, the city rebuilt on its former site.
Those who oppress you will be oppressed, and all who would destroy you will be far away. Your Elohim will rejoice over you as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride.
To the right and the left you shall spread out, and Yahweh you shall extol through Yahshua, the man who is a descendant of Peretz, and we shall rejoice and be glad!
Come in peace, O crown of her husband, both with songs and gladness among the faithful and beloved people. Come, O bride! Come, O bride! Come, Shabbat queen!
Greet one another with "Shabbat Shalom!".
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ASCENSION
The liturgy is designed to lead us upward and inward into Yahweh's presence as the stairs and gateways in the Temple led worshippers to higher and higher levels of holiness.
PSALMS
Lekhu n'rananah, Lekhu n'rananah
Lekhu, lekhu n'rananah L'Yah! (Repeat both lines)
Nariah, nariah l'tzur yishenu
Lekhu n'rananah L'Yah! (Repeat both lines)
("Come, let us sing for joy to Yahweh;
let us shout aloud to the Rock of our deliverance!" Psalm 95:1)
You may wish to read the rest of Psalm 95.
Psalm 96 begins with "Sing to Yahweh a new song!" This speaks of the dawning of the Messianic Kingdom, of which the Sabbath is also a foreshadowing.
You may wish to alternate between Psalms 92 through 98 from week to week.
We beg you, with the strength of Your right hand's greatness,
Untie the bundled sins! Purify us, O awesome One!
Guard like the pupil of Your eye those who foster Your oneness.
SH'MA (Hear and Obey!)
Be seated during this portion to place your full concentration on this most central affirmation of Israelite faith:
Sh'ma, Israel! Yahweh Eloheynu, Yahweh Echad!
Barukh shem k'vod malkhuto l'olam va'ed!
(Hear, O Israel! Yahweh is our Elohim! Yahweh is All in all!
Blessed be the authoritative name of His Kingdom forever and ever!)
Read Deuteronomy 6:4-9 ; 11: 13-21; Numbers 15:37-41
AHAVAT OLAM (An Eternal Love)
[Verse]
You have loved the House of Israel with an eternal love!
Torah and commandments, decrees and rulings You have given us.
So upon our lying down to sleep and our rising up
We will rejoice in the Words of your Torah forevermore!
[Leader]
For they are our life and the strength of our might.
About them we will meditate both day and night.
For they are our life, and the length of our days.
In Your love forever let us stay.
[Repeat verse]
Baruch Atah, Yahweh, Ahav Amo Yisrael!
(Blessed are You, YHWH, who has loved His people, Israel.)
KADDISH ("Sanctified")
This is a blessing upon all Israel often prayed in particular by mourners, to affirm Yahweh's goodness despite all that occurs. But it goes back to the time of the second Temple. This is a good time to voice prayer requests for those you wish to be especially included in this blessing. The whole congregation reads the bold print:
May His great name grow exalted and sanctified
Amen!
In the world that He created as He willed,
May He give reign to His Kingdom
In your lifetimes and in your days, and
In the lifetimes of the entire family of Israel, swiftly and soon! Now respond, Amen!
Amen! May His great Name be blessed
Forever and ever!
May His great Name be blessed forever and ever!
Blessed, praised, glorified, exalted,
Extolled, mighty, upraised, and lauded
Be the Name of the Holy One, blessed is He!
Blessed is He!
Beyond any blessing or song, praise or consolation
That are uttered in the world! Now respond, Amen!
Amen!
May there be abundant shalom from heaven
And life upon us and all Israel!
Now respond, Amen!
Amen!
He who makes peace in His heights,
May He make peace upon us, and upon all Israel.
Now respond, Amen!
Amen!
The last three lines above are a popular song in Israel:
Oseh Shalom B'imromav,
Hu ya'aseh shalom aleynu v'al kol Israel.
V'imru, imru "Amen!"
Ya'aseh shalom, ya'aseh shalom
Shalom aleynu v'al kol Israel. (Repeat)
BARKHU
"Bless" is one of those words we use without really knowing what it means. In Hebrew, it is from a root word that means to "bend the knee". So do just that while you recite this:
[Leader] Bless Yahweh, the One who is to be blessed!
[Respond] Blessed is Yahweh,
The One who is to be blessed forever and ever!
OLEYNU
It is our duty to praise the Master of all,
To ascribe greatness to the Molder of primeval creation,
Since He has not made us like the nations of the lands,
And has not emplaced us like the families of the earth,
For He has not assigned us a portion like theirs,
For they bow to vanity and emptiness, and pray to one who cannot help.
But we bend our knees, bow, and acknowledge our thanks
Before the Melekh who reigns over kings, the Kadosh One, blessed is He.
The seat of His homage is in the heavens above, and His powerful presence is in the loftiest heights.
He is our Elohim and there is no other.
True is our Melekh, and there is nothing beside Him.
AL-KEYN
Therefore we put our hope in You, O Yahweh
That we may soon see Your mighty splendor
To remove idolatry from the earth, and false gods will be utterly cut off.
Then all the world's inhabitants will recognize and know that to You every knee should bend and every tongue swear and to the glory of Your Name they will render homage and they will all accept upon themselves the yoke of Your Kingship
that You may reign over them soon and for all eternity,
Because the Kingdom is Yours and You will reign for all eternity in glory!
Do not fear sudden terror or the holocaust of the wicked when it comes.
Plan a conspiracy and it will be annulled,
Speak your piece and it will not stand, for Yahweh is with us.
Even til your ripe old age, I remain unchanged.
I created you and I will support you. I shall endure and rescue.
AMIDAH (Standing Prayer)
Our Elohim and the Elohim of our forefathers,
May You be pleased with our rest.
Set us apart by Your commandments; grant us a portion in Your Torah.
Satisfy us with Your goodness, and gladden us with your yeshuah.
Purify our hearts to serve you faithfully.
In love let us inherit Your holy Shabbat,
And may Israel, who sanctifies Your Name, rest on it.
Blessed are You, Yahweh our Elohim, who sets the Shabbat apart.
Accept, O Yahweh our Elohim, Your people Israel and their prayer.
Restore the service to the inner sanctuary of Your House.
Receive with love and favor bothe the offerings and prayer of Israel,
And may the worship of Your people Israel always be acceptable to You. And let our eyes behold Your return in mercy to Tzion.
Blessed are You, Yahweh, who restores Your dwelling presence to Tzion.
Reading of the Torah
The culimination of our ascent into Yahweh's presence is to hear His words.
Who is like You, O Yahweh, among the gods? Who is like You?
Majestic in holiness, awe-inspiring in praiseworthy acts and qualities,
O doer of wonders!
Your Kingdom is an everlasting Kingdom,
And Your dominion endures throughout all generations!
Yahweh is a man of war!
Rise up, O Yahweh, and may Your enemies be scattered!
Blessed are You, O Yahweh our Elohim,
Who teaches the Torah to His people.
And may the teachings of Your Torah be pleasant in our mouths and in the mouths of Your entire people, the House of Israel. May we be knowers of Your Name, and keepers of Your Torah.
Blessed are You, Yahweh our Elohim, who gives the Torah to His people.
Uncover our eyes so that we may give attention
To extraordinary things from Your Torah!
Read the weekly portion from the Torah and one from the prophets, and discuss their meaning among yourselves.
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Havdalah (Differentiation)
This portion of the liturgy is celebrated in the evening after two or three stars are visible in the sky, as witnesses that the Sabbath has indeed come to an end. It is to mark the distinction Yahweh has made between the Sabbath and all other days.
"Behold, El is my salvation. I will trust and not fear, for Yahweh is my strength and praise song to Yah, and He has become deliverance for me." (Isa. 12:2)
"With joy you shall draw water from the wells of Yeshuah." (Isaiah 12:3)
"Deliverance belongs to Yahweh;
may Your blessing be upon Your people!" (Psalm 3:8)
"Yahweh of Hosts is with us; the El of Yaaqov is our refuge. (Psalm 46:11)
"O Yahweh of Hosts, blessed is the man who trusts in You!" (Psalm 84:12)
"Yahweh, save us! (Hoshiana!)
The King will answer us on the day we call." (Ps. 20:9)
"The Jews had light, and gladness, and joy, and honor." (Esther 8:16)
So may it be with us.
"I will take the cup of salvation and call on the Name of Yahweh." (Psalm 116:13)
Lift the cup of wine and all join in the blessing:
Barukh Atah, Yahweh, Eloheynu, Melekh ha-olam,
Borey p'ri ha-gafen.
(Blessed are You, Yahweh our Elohim,
King of the Universe, who creates the fruit of the vine.)
As we approach the end of the Shabbat, we breathe in at least two or three sweet spices so that our last memory of the Shabbat is a sweet one. We want to carry this memory with us throughout the coming week.
Blessing:
Barukh Atah, Yahweh, Eloheynu, Melekh ha-olam,
Borey miney besamim.
(Blessed are You, Yahweh our Elohim,
King of the Universe, who creates the various kinds of spices.
This is also a good time to reflect together on what was sweet about this Shabbat.
Barukh Atah, Yahweh,
Eloheynu, Melekh ha-olam, Borey ma'orey haEsh.
(Blessed are You, Yahweh our Elohim,
King of the Universe, who creates the light of the fire.)
Notice how your fingernails reflect the light. This is what Adam was like before he sinned, and what the New Man whose Head is Y'shua will one day be like again. Peer through spread fingers at the flame, and notice the stark difference between light and darkness, and keep that in mind as we speak this final blessing:
Blessed are You, Yahweh, our Elohim, King of the Universe,
who makes a distinction between the holy and the common,
between light and darkness, between Israel and the nations,
and between the seventh day and the six working days.
Blessed are You, O Yahweh,
who makes a distinction between holy and the ordinary.
Slowly extinguish the flame in the wine. Notice how it struggles to stay alive. In the same way we do not want to be in a hurry for the Sabbath to end.
Finally, we sing this song that reminds us that though things are going "back to normal" now, before long the Messiah will come and the whole world will finally have its sabbath rest after 6,000 years of labor and struggle:
ELIYAHU HA NAVI
We end with a song that reminds us that Yahweh "will send Elijah the prophet before the great and terrible Day of Yahweh" (Malachi 4:5)and bring the Messiah with him.
Eliyahu HaNavi, Eliyahu haTishvi
Eliyahu, Eliyahu, Eliyahu haGil'adi.
Bim'hera v'yameynu yavo eleynu
Im Mashiakh ben David, Im Mashiakh ben David.
(Elijah the prophet, Elijah the Tishbite, Elijah the Gileadite--
May he, soon and in our days, come to us with the Messiah son of David.)
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