From MPrival@aol.comWed Dec 13 17:00:13 1995 Date: Sat, 25 Nov 1995 02:25:43 -0500 From: MPrival@aol.com To: hellman@teleport.com Subject: Machar's Shabbat service Below is the text of the short Shabbat service used by Machar/The Washington D.C. Area Congregation for Humanistic Judaism. We meet on the first Friday of each month in a member's home and begin with this service. Two people (often the people whose home it is) divide up the readings while all those present recite the Hebrew and the translations of the Hebrew and join in singing the songs. We then usually have a speaker and discussion. Some of this Shabbat service is original while much was taken from various issues of our journal, "Humanistic Judaism," and other sources long since forgotten. As far as we are concerned, any reader should feel free to use all or part of it as you see fit. The Hebrew lines of the "Na-eh ha-or ba-olam, etc." and the "Na-eh shalom ba-olam, etc." sections can be sung (if anyone present can carry the tune) or recited. I should note that the original service contains most of the Hebrew portions in Hebrew (using the Hebrew language module of WordPerfect 5.1) as well as in transliteration. I would be happy to send a hard copy of this service to anyone who is interested or a disk that includes the Hebrew text for those who have the proper Hebrew language software. Mike Prival mprival@aol.com ------------------------------------------------------------ MACHAR SERVICE FOR SHABBAT (Light candles) We kindle the lights of shabbat, seeing them as symbols of human enlightenment and human kindness. Let us remember the generations before us who lit candles as we do, and found beauty and serenity in their light. Together we kindle the lights of shabbat. Na-eh ha-or ba-olam. Na-eh ha-or ba-shalom. Na-eh ha-or ba-shabbat. How wonderful is the light of the world. How radiant are the candles of peace. How beautiful are the lights of shabbat. (Serve the wine) Wine is the symbol of the wholeness of life. There are times when we drink from bitter cups, yet there are also times when we savor the sweetness and joy that exult life. Wine thus points to the recognition that life is both joy and sorrow. We resolve to accept them both and so affirm all of life. These provide the happiness of which this cup speaks. Let us raise our cups to the fullness that is life. Na-eh shalom ba-olam. Na-eh shalom ba-adam. Na-eh shalom ba-shabbat. How wonderful is peace in the world. How glorious is peace among all people. How beautiful is the peace of shabbat. (All present drink wine) SONG: Hee-nay ma-tov u-ma-na-eem She-vet a-kheem gam ya-khad. Behold how good it is when brothers and sisters dwell together in unity. (Serve the challah) As the fingers of the challah intertwine, so do we join hands in our common humanity, sharing the fruits of our labor. We cherish all that has been created through human effort. We celebrate the accomplishments of yesterday and today, anticipating the possibilities of tomorrow. May the sharing of this challah strengthen our bonds with others who walk upon this earth. Na-eh a-mal ka-pay-noo. Na-eh le-khem ha-aretz. Na-eem ha-mo-tsee-eem le-khem meen ha-a-rets. How beautiful is the work of our hands. How wonderful is the bread of the earth. How glorious are those who bring forth bread from the earth. (All present eat challah) We honor the shabbat, a day of rest and peace. Throughout Jewish history, the observance of shabbat has served as a manifestation of human dignity. Shabbat is a gift we give ourselves--a gift of time to use as we wish. Let us celebrate together the end of another week in the company of friends and family. SONG: Shalom kha-vay-reem, shalom kha-vay-reem, Shalom, shalom! L'-heet ra-ot, l'-heet ra-ot, Shalom, shalom! Peace to our friends Until we meet again. Peace. Shabbat shalom!