Preparing for Shabbat: Difference between revisions

This is not an article on how to properly observe [[Shabbat]]. Rather, it is an article on how to properly observe Erev [[Shabbat]], Friday. Indeed, there is an entire array of laws and customs on how to maximize our Fridays in preparation for [[Shabbat]].  Even one who has servants at his disposal is obligated to personally tend to at least some of the [[Shabbat]] preparations himself. <ref>Rambam Hilchot [[Shabbat]] 30:6, Tur S"A OC 250:1, Magen Avraham 250:2, Baer Heitiv 250:2, Pri Megadim Eshel Avraham 250:2, Chayei Adam [[Shabbat]] 1:3, S"A Harav 250:4, Kitzur S"A 72:5, Mishna Berura 250:4, Rivevot Ephraim 1:181, [http://www.eichlers.com/Product/Books/Halachah_-_Jewish_Law/General_Issues/Amot-Shel-Halacha---Halachic-Insights---The-Dalet-Amot-Halacha-Series:-1-_H028-3.html Amot Shel Halacha] (by Rabbi Ari Enkin). The gemara [[Shabbat]] 119a reports how many amoraim would exert themselves in preparing for [[shabbat]]. Orchot Rabbeinu 3: pg. 228 says that the Steipler used to sweep the house in honor of [[Shabbat]] </ref>

# This mitzvah of preparing for [[Shabbat]] applies to everyone. <ref>S"A 250:1, Mishna Brurah 250:3 </ref>Even an important person should prepare for [[Shabbat]] and not consider it degrading because in fact it is an honor to honor [[Shabbat]]. <Ref>Meoros HaShabbos (vol 1, pg 18) </ref>

# Even if one had many helpers or family members preparing for [[Shabbat]] one should make an effort to personally be involved in preparing for [[Shabbat]]. <ref>S"A 250:1 </ref>

# A person should try to review his deeds from the past week and resolve to correct his mistakes on Fridays. <ref> Kitzur S"A 72:15 </ref>

The amount of money one receives from Hashem for the year does not include the money that he spends for [[Shabbat]]. <ref> Gemara Beitza 16b </ref> Although one shouldn't force himself to borrow money to buy extra [[Shabbat]] foods, one should spend according to his wealth and whoever adds is praiseworthy. <ref> Rambam [[Shabbat]] 30:7, S"A 250:2, Aruch Hashulchan 250:4 </ref>

# One should begin one's [[Shabbat]] preparations as early as possible on Friday.  <Ref> Gemara [[Shabbat]] 117b, Rosh [[Shabbat]] 16:5, Tur and S"A 250:1, [http://www.eichlers.com/Product/Books/Halachah_-_Jewish_Law/General_Issues/Amot-Shel-Halacha---Halachic-Insights---The-Dalet-Amot-Halacha-Series:-1-_H028-3.html Amot Shel Halacha] (by Rabbi Ari Enkin). Mishna Brurah and Aruch Hashulchan 250:1 write that this is to commemorate that the manna fell in the desert early Friday morning. </ref>

# One should make sure to buy one's food for [[Shabbat]] on Friday and not before <ref>Gemara [[Shabbat]] 117b writes that a person should get up early on Friday to prepare for [[Shabbat]]. This is also the opinion of S"A 250:1. Mishna Brurah 250:2 (based on Magen Avraham 250:1) explains that the reason is that by purchasing food for [[Shabbat]] on Friday it's more recognizable that one is preparing for [[Shabbat]] than if one were to buy the food on Thursday. So rule Menuchat Ahava (vol 1, 2:1), Aruch Hashulchan 250:2, Kitzur S"A 72:4 and Elya Rabba 250:1. </ref> One shouldn't even buy the food on Thursday night. <ref> Nishmat [[Shabbat]] 1:101 </ref> However, if there's a fear that one won't be able to buy one's food on Friday or that the food will not be ready in time if bought on Friday, then one may do so on Thursday. <ref> Pri Megadim Eshel Avraham 250:1, Ben Ish Chai Parashat Lech Lecha 2:6, Shaare Teshuva 250:1, S"A Harav 250:7, Kitzur S"A 72:4, Mishna Brurah 250:2, Kaf Hachaim 250:3. </ref> On a short friday, one may do his shopping earlier. <ref> Ben Ish Chai Parashat Lech Lecha 2:6 </ref>  

# When buying food for [[Shabbat]], it is praiseworthy to verbally state to oneself that the food is for such purpose. <ref>Mishna Brurah 250:2, Kaf HaChaim 250:2, Machatzit Hashekel 250:1, S"A Harav 250:6, Chesed La'alafim 250:6 </ref>

# One shouldn't begin a a task after [[mincha]] on Friday, some say this refers to 6.5 hours into the day, and some say this refers to 9 hours into the day. Any activity which is permitted on [[Chol HaMoed]] is permitted on Friday after [[mincha]].<ref>S"A 251:1, Mishna Brurah 251:5</ref>

# The mitzva of showering can only be fulfilled with warm to hot water. <ref>S"A OC 260:1; Beiur Halacha 260 s.v. “Bechamin” and "Lechof Harosh". But see Devar Chevron 2:229 </ref>

# One should arrange for one's hair and nails to be cut on Erev [[Shabbat]]. <ref> S"A 260:1 </ref>

# One is required to inspect one's [[Shabbat]] clothes before the onset of [[Shabbat]] to ensure that there is nothing muktza in the pockets. This is especially crucial for one who lives in a place without an Eruv in which case it is forbidden to go outside on [[Shabbat]] with anything at all in one's pockets. <ref> S"A OC 252:7; Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 72:23; Aruch Hashulchan, S"A OC 252:18, [http://www.eichlers.com/Product/Books/Halachah_-_Jewish_Law/General_Issues/Amot-Shel-Halacha---Halachic-Insights---The-Dalet-Amot-Halacha-Series:-1-_H028-3.html Amot Shel Halacha] (by Rabbi Ari Enkin) </ref>

# One should don one's [[Shabbat]] clothes late Friday afternoon in honor of [[Shabbat]].<ref>S"A OC 262:2 and 3, [http://www.eichlers.com/Product/Books/Halachah_-_Jewish_Law/General_Issues/Amot-Shel-Halacha---Halachic-Insights---The-Dalet-Amot-Halacha-Series:-1-_H028-3.html Amot Shel Halacha] (by Rabbi Ari Enkin) </ref>

# The table should ideally be set before the husband returns from shul. <ref> Shulchan Aruch 262:1. The gemara [[Shabbat]] 119b quoted by Tur 249 and Kitzur S"A 72:7 writes that two angels walk a person home from shul one bad and one good. If the table is set, the good angel says it should be like this the next week and the bad angel answers [[amen]]. If the table is not set then the bad angel says it should be like this next week and the good angel answer [[amen]]. </ref> Some great Rabbis have the practice to honor [[Shabbat]] by ensuring that the [[Shabbat]] table is set early in the day and some even set it on Thursday nights. <ref>[http://www.eichlers.com/Product/Books/Halachah_-_Jewish_Law/General_Issues/Amot-Shel-Halacha---Halachic-Insights---The-Dalet-Amot-Halacha-Series:-1-_H028-3.html Amot Shel Halacha] (by Rabbi Ari Enkin) </ref>

# One should avoid all unnecessary travel on Erev [[Shabbat]] especially if it means travelling out of town. <ref>S"A OC 249:1, Yabia Omer, OC 2:14:6, [http://www.eichlers.com/Product/Books/Halachah_-_Jewish_Law/General_Issues/Amot-Shel-Halacha---Halachic-Insights---The-Dalet-Amot-Halacha-Series:-1-_H028-3.html Amot Shel Halacha] (by Rabbi Ari Enkin) </ref>