What happens on Shabbat?
A. We gather for all of the Shabbat services and all three Shabbat meals are available on campus, as well as a kiddush after Musaf (morning services). Students are also often invited to the homes of graduate students and community members for a more personal and family-oriented experience. During the day, people often spend the day at Hillel, going to services, eating, learning, hanging out, playing board games, taking walks together, and schmoozing; many people also use the time to take a well-deserved nap.
Shabbat is observed as a community beginning at sunset on Friday and lasting until sunset on Saturday. There are many options ranging from traditional prayer to yoga to drum circles. No work project is scheduled on Saturday but students may be creative in designing Shabbat to reflect their interests.
As a reminder, Shabbat runs from sundown on Friday night to sundown on Saturday night. However, Shabbat preparations begin well before sundown, as one must be ready for the arrival of the “Shabbat Queen” (traditionally, Shabbat is treated as an arriving queen). By mid-afternoon on Friday, traditional begin to prepare. The house is cleaned. The family prepares itself for the arrival of a special guest. One wears the best clothes that one has (some families have the tradition of reserving the first wearing of new clothes for shabbat). The best dishes and tableware are set. A festive meal is prepared (the running joke is that it is always Chicken :-)). Additionally, one must prepare for all those things that one cannot do on Shabbat. For example, lights and appliances must be set (or timers set); the refrigerator light bulb must be removed or unscrewed; and preparations for Shabbat meals must be made. As the sun is starting to go down, Shabbat candles are lit and a blessing is recited no
