How to Celebrate Erev Shabbat in 7 Simple Steps
Netivyah International
Erev Shabbat means the evening of Shabbat. It begins at sundown on Friday and opens the weekly Sabbath, which lasts until nightfall on Saturday.
For a family at home, Erev Shabbat does not have to be complicated. You need a table, a meal, candles, wine or grape juice, bread, Scripture, and enough quiet in the house to remember that God made time holy before He ever made a building holy.
What Erev Shabbat means
The Hebrew word erev means evening or eve. So Erev Shabbat means the evening of Shabbat, the time when Shabbat is welcomed into the home. In Yiddish you may hear Erev Shabbos, and it means the same thing.
In the Bible, the day is counted from evening to evening. Genesis 1 repeats the pattern: there was evening and there was morning. That is why Shabbat begins Friday at sundown, not Saturday morning.
Shabbat itself means rest, ceasing, stopping. It is not only a day off. It is a weekly act of trust. We stop because God stopped, and we receive the day as something blessed by Him.
The Scripture basis for Shabbat
The first Shabbat appears at creation:
Then the heavens and the earth were completed, and all their array. With the seventh day, God completed the work He had done. He ceased on the seventh day from all the work He had done. God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, because on it He ceased from all His work He had created to do. (Genesis 2:1-3)
The Ten Commandments tell Israel to remember the Sabbath and keep it holy (Exodus 20:8-11). Deuteronomy repeats the command and connects Shabbat with deliverance from Egypt (Deuteronomy 5:12-15). So Shabbat looks two directions at once. Back to creation, and back to redemption.
Exodus 16 also matters. Before Israel received the Torah at Sinai, God taught them to gather a double portion of manna on the sixth day so they would not gather on Shabbat. That is why the Shabbat table traditionally has two loaves of challah. The bread on the table preaches a quiet sermon: God can provide enough.
For followers of Yeshua (Jesus), Shabbat also speaks of the rest of God. Hebrews 4:9 says that a Sabbath rest remains for the people of God. Rabbi Yeshua attended synagogue on Shabbat as His custom (Luke 4:16), healed on Shabbat, and taught that the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath (Mark 2:27). He did not treat Shabbat as a burden. He treated it as a gift rightly used.
If you want the wider picture of the appointed times, our guide to God’s Biblical Calendar is a good next step.
How Jewish families welcome Shabbat
Jewish practice varies from home to home, but the shape is familiar. Before sunset, the house is prepared, food is cooked, work is set aside, and the table is made special. Many families wear nicer clothes than usual. Guests may be invited. Phones may be silenced. The pace changes.
In many homes, the mother lights the candles before sunset. Parents bless the children. Songs are sung, often including Shalom Aleichem, to welcome the angels of peace. At the table, Kiddush is said over wine or grape juice, hands may be ritually washed, and a blessing is said over bread.
Do not let the number of customs scare you. Start with what you can do with peace. A hurried Shabbat table misses the point.
What you need for Erev Shabbat at home
Keep it simple:
- Two candles and matches or a lighter
- Wine or grape juice and a cup
- Two loaves of challah, or another good bread if challah is not available
- A cloth or napkin to cover the bread
- Salt for dipping the bread
- A meal prepared before Shabbat begins
- A Bible, or printed blessings if you are learning
If you have children, include them. Let one set the table, one fold napkins, one pour grape juice, one choose a Psalm. Shabbat is learned by doing.
Step 1: Light the candles
The candles are usually lit shortly before sunset. Traditionally the woman of the home lights them, though different households handle this in different ways. Some families light two candles, remembering the two forms of the Sabbath command: remember in Exodus 20:8 and keep in Deuteronomy 5:12.
After lighting, cover your eyes and say:
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יהוה אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם
אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו
וְצִוָּנוּ לְהַדְלִיק נֵר שֶׁל שַׁבָּת
Baruch ata Adonai Elohenu Melech haolam,
asher kidshanu bemitzvotav
vetzivanu lehadlik ner shel shabbat.
Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe,
Who has sanctified us with His commandments,
and commanded us to light the Shabbat candles.
A follower of Yeshua may quietly remember Matthew 5:14, where Yeshua tells His disciples that they are the light of the world. Candlelight is not magic. It is a visible way to say, the week is changing now.
Step 2: Bless the children
The blessing of children is one of the sweetest parts of Erev Shabbat. It is not long. It does not need music. A father, mother, grandparent, or guardian may place a hand gently on the child and speak blessing.
For sons:
יְשִׂמְךָ אֱלֹהיִם כְּאֶפְרַיְם וְכִמְנַשֶּׁה
Yesimcha Elohim ke’Ephraim vechi-Menasheh.
May God make you like Ephraim and Manasseh.
For daughters:
יְשִׂימֵךְ אֱלֹהיִם כְּשָׂרָה רִבְקָה רָחֵל וְלֵאָה
Yesimech Elohim keSarah Rivka Rachel veLeah
May God make you like Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel, and Leah.
Then add the priestly blessing from Numbers 6:24-26:
יְבָרֶכְךָ יהוה וְיִשְׁמְרֶךָ
יָאֵר יהוה פָּנָיו אֵלֶיךָ וִיחֻנֶּךָּ
יִשָּׂא יהוה פָּנָיו אֵלֶיךָ וְיָשֵׂם לְךָ שָׁלוֹם
Yivarechecha Adonai veyishmerecha
Ya’er Adonai panav elecha vichuneka
Yisa Adonai panav elecha veyasem lecha shalom
The Lord bless you and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you;
The Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.
We have a fuller page on the Jewish blessing for children if you want to learn the background.
Step 3: Sing a Shabbat song
Many homes sing Shalom Aleichem, a traditional song welcoming the messengers of peace. The language draws on the biblical picture of God sending His angels to guard His people, as in Psalm 91:11-12.
שָׁלוֹם עֲלֵיכֶם מַלְאֲכֵי הַשָּׁרֵת מַלְאֲכֵי עֶלְיוֹן
מִמֶּלֶךְ מַלְכֵי הַמְּלָכִים הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא
בּוֹאֲכֶם לְשָׁלוֹם מַלְאֲכֵי הַשָּׁלוֹם מַלְאָכֵי עֶלְיוֹן
מִמֶּלֶךְ מַלְכֵי הַמְּלָכִים הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא
...בָּרְכוּנִי לְשָׁלוֹם
...צֵאתְכֶם לְשָׁלוֹם
Shalom aleichem mal'achei ha-sharet, mal'achei Elyon,
mi-melech malchei ha-melachim, haKadosh Baruch Hu.
Bo'achem le-shalom, mal'achei ha-shalom, mal'achei Elyon,
mi-melech malchei ha-melachim, haKadosh Baruch Hu.
Barchuni le-shalom…
Tzeitchem le-shalom…
Peace be upon you, ministering angels, angels of the Most High,
from the supreme King of kings, the Holy One, blessed be He.
Enter in peace, angels of peace, angels of the Most High,
from the supreme King of kings, the Holy One, blessed be He.
Bless me with peace, angels of peace…
Go in peace, angels of peace…
Continue, by reading from Psalm 91 and 121:
:כִּי מַלְאָכָיו יְצַוֶּה-לָךְ, לְשִׁמָרְךָ בְּכָל-דְּרָכֶיךָ
:יהוה יִשְׁמָר-צֵאתְךָ וּבוֹאֶךָ, מֵעַתָּה וְעַד-עוֹלָם
Ki malachav yetzaveh-lach, leshimarcha bechol-deracheicha
Adonai yishmor-tzetcha uvo'echa, me'atah ve'ad-olam:
He will command His angels about you to guard you in all your ways.
May the Lord guard your going out and your return, from now and for all time.
If this song is new to your family, begin with the first line or simply read Psalm 91:11 and Psalm 121:8. The goal is not performance. The goal is to fill the house with peace, Scripture, and gratitude.
Some families also take turns saying one good thing they saw in another family member during the week. That small custom can change the tone of a home.
Step 4: Honor the woman of the house
Many Jewish homes sing or read Eshet Chayil, the woman of valor, from Proverbs 31:10-31. It honors wisdom, diligence, generosity, strength, and fear of the Lord.
This is not meant to put pressure on a tired wife or mother. Read rightly, it is gratitude. It says, we see the labor that love has carried all week.
Some homes also bless the man of the house by reading Psalm 1, Psalm 112, or Psalm 128. If you are single, widowed, or gathering with friends, do not skip this moment. Use it to honor faithfulness wherever you see it.
Step 5: Say Kiddush over wine or grape juice
Kiddush means sanctification. It marks Shabbat as set apart. The traditional Friday night Kiddush begins with Genesis 1:31-2:3, then blesses God for the fruit of the vine and for the holiness of Shabbat.
At home, hold the cup and say the Kiddush. If you are just learning, you can start with the shorter blessing over the wine or grape juice.
וַיְהִי-עֶרֶב וַיְהִי בֹקֶר יוֹם הַשִּׁשִּׁי
וַיְכֻלּוּ הַשָּׁמַיִם וְהָאָרֶץ וְכָל-צְבָאָם
וַיְכַל אֱלֹהִים בַּיּום הַשְּׁבִיעִי מְלַאכְתּו אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה
וַיִּשְׁבֹּת בַּיּום הַשְּׁבִיעִי מִכָּל-מְלַאכְתּו אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה
וַיְבָרֶךְ אֱלֹהִים אֶת-יוֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִי, וַיְקַדֵּשׁ אֹתוֹ
כִּי בוֹ שָׁבַת מִכָּל-מְלַאכְתּוֹ, אֲשֶׁר בָּרָא אֱלֹהִים לַעֲשׂוֹת:
סִבְרֵי מָרָנָן
(answer: ‘לְחַיִּים’)
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יהוה אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הַגָּפֶן. (answer: אמן)
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יהוה אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעולָם
אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו, וְרָצָה בָנוּ
וְשַׁבַּת קָדְשׁוֹ בְּאַהֲבָה וּבְרָצוֹן הִנְחִילָנוּ
זִכָּרוֹן לְמַעֲשֵׂה בְרֵאשִׁית
כִּי הוּא יוֹם תְּחִלָּה לְמִקְרָאֵי קדֶשׁ,
זֵכֶר לִיצִיאַת מִצְרָיִם
כִּי בָנוּ בָחַרְתָּ וְאוֹתָנוּ קִדַּשְׁתָּ מִכָּל הָעַמִּים
וְשַׁבַּת קָדְשְׁךָ בְּאַהֲבָה וּבְרָצוֹן הִנְחַלְתָּנוּ.
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יהוה מְקַדֵּשׁ הַשַּׁבָּת. (answer: אמן)
Vayehi erev, vayehi boker yom hashishi:
Vayechulu hashamayim veha’aretz vechol tzeva’am
Vayechal Elohim bayom hash’vi’i melachto asher asa
Vayishbot bayom hash’vi’i mikol melachto asher asa:
Vay’varech Elohim et yom hash’vi’i vay’kadesh oto
Kee vo shabbat mi-kol m’lachto, asher bara Elohim la’asot:
Sabri meranan (answer: “lehayim”)
Baruch ata Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha-olam, borei p’ri hagafen. (answer: “amen”)
Baruch ata Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha-olam
asher kid’shanu b’mitzvotav, v’ratza vanu
v’shabbat kod’sho b’ahava uv’ratzon hinchilanu
zikaron l’ma’aseh b’reishit
Ki hu yom t’chila l’mikra-ay kodesh,
zecher l’tziat mitzrayim
Ki vanu bacharta v’otanu kidashta mikol ha’amim
V’shabbat kodshecha b’ahava uvratzon hinchaltanu.
Baruch ata Adonai, mekadesh haShabbat. (answer: amen)
There was evening, and there was morning, the sixth day:
And the Heavens and the Earth and all they contained were completed:
and on the seventh day God rested from all the work that He had done.
And God rested on the seventh day from all the work that He had done.
And God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it,
for on that day He rested from all His work He had created to do.
Pay attention (answer: lehayim, to life)
Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe, who creates the fruit of the vine. (answer: amen)
Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe,
who has sanctified us with His commandments and favored us,
and given us in love and favor His holy Shabbat as an inheritance,
as a remembrance of the act of creation.
For this day is the beginning of all holy days,
a remembrance of the Exodus from Egypt.
For You chose us and sanctified us from all the nations,
and with love and favor gave us Your holy Shabbat as a heritage.
Blessed are You, O Lord, who sanctifies the Shabbat. (answer: amen)
Then drink from the cup and share it, if that is your family custom. Wine points to joy. Grape juice is perfectly fine, especially with children or anyone who should not drink alcohol.
Step 6: Wash hands, if you keep that custom
Netilat yadayim, ritual hand washing before bread, is practiced in many Jewish homes. The hands should already be physically clean. This washing is symbolic, a reminder that ordinary eating can be received before God with holiness.
Leviticus 20:7 says, consecrate yourselves and be holy, because the Lord is your God. Psalm 24:3-4 connects clean hands with a pure heart. Those verses are good to read here.
If you include the traditional blessing, say:
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יהוה אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו וְצִוָּנוּ עַל נְטִילַת יָדַיִם
Baruch ata Adonai, Eloheinu Melech haolam, asher kidshanu bemitzvotav vitzivanu al netilat yadayim.
Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments, and commanded us to wash hands.
Many who keep this custom do not speak between washing, the bread blessing, and eating the bread.
Step 7: Bless and share the bread
Two loaves of challah remember the double portion of manna in Exodus 16. The bread is covered until the blessing, often with a cloth. After the blessing, the bread is broken or cut, dipped in salt, and shared.
Salt recalls the offerings in the Temple, where salt accompanied the sacrifices (Leviticus 2:13). Yeshua also called His disciples the salt of the earth in Matthew 5:13. At the Shabbat table, that is a good question to ask: did we bring good flavor into the world this week?
Say:
בָּרוּך אַתָּה יהוה אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶך הָעוֹלָם הָמוֹצִיא לֶחֶם מִן הַאָרֶץ - אמן
Baruch ata Adonai, Eloheinu Melech haolam, hamotzi lechem min ha’aretz. (Answer: amen)
Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who brings forth bread from the earth. (Answer: amen)
Now eat. Laugh. Tell stories. Put the week down.
What Erev Shabbat means for followers of Yeshua
Christians do not need to pretend to be Jewish to learn from Shabbat. That matters. We are not asking believers to leave their church or take on someone else’s identity.
But the Jewish context of Scripture helps us see what the apostles already knew. Shabbat is part of the world of the Bible. The creation account, the Exodus, the manna, the synagogue, the ministry of Yeshua, and the life of the first disciples all stand inside that world.
The Bible’s original Jewish setting is not a museum piece. It is the living soil of our faith. Erev Shabbat is one of the simplest ways to practice that in a home. Stop before you are finished. Bless before you consume. Thank God before you explain your week.
For Gentile believers, Shabbat can be received as a gift without turning it into a badge of superiority. For Jewish believers in Yeshua, it remains a family inheritance filled with Messiah’s light. At the same table, we can remember creation, redemption from Egypt, and the rest promised in Messiah.
A simple first Erev Shabbat for your family
If seven steps feel like too much, begin with four:
- Light candles before dinner.
- Read Genesis 2:1-3.
- Bless the children or pray over one another.
- Say the blessings over grape juice and bread.
That is enough for a first week. Add songs later. Add hand washing later. Learn one Hebrew line at a time.
Before the meal, ask everyone this question: where did you see God’s kindness this week? After the meal, read Psalm 92, a psalm for the Sabbath day. Then let the house be quiet for a while. Shabbat Shalom.
Questions people ask
What is Erev Shabbat?
Erev Shabbat is Friday evening, the beginning of the weekly Sabbath. Since biblical days are counted from evening to evening, Shabbat begins at sundown on Friday and ends after nightfall on Saturday.
What does Erev Shabbos mean?
Erev Shabbos is the Yiddish way of saying Erev Shabbat. Both mean the eve or evening of the Sabbath, when Jewish families welcome Shabbat with candles, blessings, wine, bread, and a meal.
What prayers are said on Erev Shabbat?
Common Erev Shabbat prayers include the candle blessing, blessings over the children, Kiddush over wine or grape juice, and Hamotzi over the bread. After the meal, many families also pray [Birkat Hamazon: Grace After Meals](/prayers/birkat-hamazon-grace-after-meals).
Can Christians celebrate Erev Shabbat?
Yes, Christians can mark Erev Shabbat as a way to honor the biblical rhythm of rest and learn the Jewish context of Scripture. This does not require becoming Jewish or leaving church life. Keep it with humility, gratitude, and faith in Yeshua.
Is Erev Rosh Hashanah the same as Erev Shabbat?
No. Erev simply means evening or eve, so Erev Rosh Hashanah is the evening that begins the Jewish New Year. Erev Shabbat is the evening that begins the weekly Sabbath.