Shabbat Shalom

Tonight was Shabbat. I want to savor Shabbat while we are in Mexico. Take a bit more time - no rushing.

• We lit the candles and recited the prayers in Hebrew:

Barukh atah Adonai, Eloheinu, melekh ha'olam

Blessed are you, Lord, our God, sovereign of the universe

asher kidishanu b'mitz'votav v'tzivanu

Who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us

l'had'lik neir shel Shabbat. (Amein)

to light the lights of Shabbat. (Amen)

• We lift our Kiddush cups to drink the wine (lemonade for the kids):

Barukh atah Adonai, Eloheinu, melekh ha-olam

Blessed are you, Lord, our God, sovereign of the universe

borei p'ri hagafen (Amein)

Who creates the fruit of the vine (Amen)

• We sing the Ha-Motzi with Youngest Son lifting the "challah" wrapped in the challah cover:

Hamotzi lechem min ha'aretz

We give thanks to God for bread

Our voices join in song together

As our joyful prayer is said:

Barukh atah Adonai, Eloheinu, melekh ha-olam

Blessed are You, Lord, our God, King of the Universe

hamotzi lechem min ha'aretz. (Amein).

who brings forth bread from the earth. (Amen)

• Oldest Son reads Gates of Wonder to us which is a book of Prayers for Young Children by Rabbi Howard Bogot and Rabbi Robert Orkand. It covers rainbows, night and day, the differences found in people, Shabbat, and the Torah. It is beautifully illustrated.

• Finally, we have a special Mitzvah to celebrate. We affix (with scotch tape to be respectful of actual owner) a Mezuzah the doorframe of our new Jewish home to fulfill biblical commandment to inscribe the words of the Shema "on the doorposts of your house." (Deuteronomy 6:9) This Mezuzah is special. Youngest Son made it in Religious School last year during a special class in which I participated. I put it away at that time just for tonight.

Baruch atta Adonai Eloheinu melech ha‘olam, asher kideshanu bemitzvotav vetzivanu likboa‘ mezuza.
Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe, Who sanctified us with His mitzvot, and commanded us to affix a mezuzah.

During the entire set of rituals we had God's beauty out our back door.