Vision for Conservative Early Childhood Programs: A Journey Guide

1. Light the Shabbat candles. Every Jew is obligated to light candles; when both a
man and a woman are present, traditionally the woman lights them for everyone
there because this is one of the mitzvot traditionally assigned to women. When no
woman is present, a man is obligated to light candles for himself.
2. Many follow the custom of drawing their hands to their faces in a circular motion
three times, beckoning Shabbat to enter.
3. After the third circle, the person saying the brachah closes or shields her eyes with
her hands and says the brachah:
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Baruch Atah Adonai Eloheinu, melech ha’olam, asher kid’shanu b’mitzvotav
v’tzivanu l’hadlik ner shel Shabbat.
Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Ruler of the universe, instilling in us the
holiness of mitzvot by commanding us to kindle the light of Shabbat.
4. After she says the brachah, she uncovers her eyes and looks at what are now the
lit Shabbat candles for the first time. Personal prayers of thanks may be added
silently after the brachah. It is customary for everyone to wish each other Shabbat
shalom.
5. Traditionally parents will bless their children after the candles are lit, before
saying kiddush. This blessing, and how it can be used in the classroom, is
discussed later in this section of the Vision.
Blessing for wine and giving thanks for the holiness of the day
This brachah is the essential ingredient in the kiddush. Like bread, wine has come to
represent the unique partnership between God and humanity in producing a product that
demands the involvement of both God and human beings. In the Torah’s eye, nature’s
quintessential beverage is “the fruit of the vine,” grape wine. Our sages tell us of wine’s
importance throughout the calendar year and throughout the Jewish life cycle. We recite
the kiddush for Shabbat, which begins with Biblical verses not printed here.
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Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha’olam, borei pri ha’gafen
Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Ruler of the Universe, Creator of the fruit of the vine.
The kiddush continues, giving thanks for the holiness of Shabbat, but this one brachah is
sufficient for the early childhood classroom.
Vision for Conservative Early Childhood Programs: A Journey Guide
USCJ Department of Education
Maxine Handelman
Handelman@uscj.org
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