astrid Posted February 14, 2012 Share Posted February 14, 2012 I watched both parts. I thought it was excellent. I have a much better understanding of the culture and committment to faith that Hasidics hold. The family she visited was adorable, and the women she spoke with in Part II were just lovely. Anyway, just wondering if anyone else watched it, since I know the topic of Hasidism (sp?) has come up here previously. Here's a link: http://www.oprah.com/own-oprahs-next-chapter/First-Look-Oprahs-Next-Chapter-Hasidic-Jews-of-Brooklyn-Part-1 astrid Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
astrid Posted February 14, 2012 Author Share Posted February 14, 2012 Nobody saw it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommaduck Posted February 14, 2012 Share Posted February 14, 2012 shoot, I was hoping that was a link to an actual episode :( We don't have tv, so we don't see anything unless it's online and free. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mergath Posted February 14, 2012 Share Posted February 14, 2012 Looks interesting! We don't have cable, though. Is it online somewhere? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SweetMissMagnolia Posted February 14, 2012 Share Posted February 14, 2012 darn-missed it--I've been seeing the commercials...I'm sure I'll catch it in re-runs--I was interested in it too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mommyfaithe Posted February 14, 2012 Share Posted February 14, 2012 Nobody saw it? Didn't see it....but I grew up with them. I grew up orthodox Jewish....the Hasidim, were...well....different than us. Lovely people, family oriented...but totally different theology. Now, I have to watch this...btw, my son is now living there....lol. Life is strange sometimes. Faithe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parrothead Posted February 14, 2012 Share Posted February 14, 2012 If it were available online I'd watch it. (I have satellite but dh won't watch and if I watch during the day it is easier if dd isn't distracted from school.) I did watch the trailer astrid linked. I've not seen Oprah in a long time. She looks tired. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spy Car Posted February 14, 2012 Share Posted February 14, 2012 Were the families all Lubavitch? Chabadniks have their own thing. Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
astrid Posted February 14, 2012 Author Share Posted February 14, 2012 Um, I don't know? If it mentioned, I didn't catch it (major sinus infection, had to resort to meds, which hit. me. hard.) The men wore tall black hats, women conservatively dressed with wigs. However, there were other men on the streets and in wedding scenes with very large, round, furry brown hats. So they seemed different. I still don't understand the wig concept. I mean if a woman's hair is seen as arousing/seductive to a man and only meant for her husband's eyes, why the flirty, tousled wigs? Those wigs looked GREAT! Even Oprah, who I'm certain has see a lot of pretty well-done wigs in her time, remarked that they were the best looking wigs she'd ever seen. Interesting. astrid Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UmmiSays Posted February 14, 2012 Share Posted February 14, 2012 I saw it and I really enjoyed it. I have always been very intrigued by their culture. I appreciate that they allowed access into their lives. I have many questions and was up all night trying to find Jewish women blogs who could explain more about their lives. For instance they mentioned that they women are more likely to be the breadwinners so that the husbands are able to study the Torah, so I am wondering how do they run a home with many children AND work outside the home. Do they hire help? I also wanted to know more about the African American family that she interviewed on sunday. I have sooo many questions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mommyfaithe Posted February 14, 2012 Share Posted February 14, 2012 Just a FYI...the Chasidim are not like your everyday, run of the mill, Jewish American family. They are a sect, if you would, and live quite differently from main stream or even orthodox Jews... To watch the Lubavitcher or other Chasidim and liken them to mainstream Judaism, would be very akin to saying Jehovah Witnesses or LDS are examples of mainstream Christianity. Where I can see those particular groups calling themselves Christian, they certainly have their own branch:001_smile:.....same with the Chasidim...where they are definitely Jewish, their lifestyle, theology and religious ceremony are quite different from mainstream or Orthodox Judaism. Faithe.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mommyfaithe Posted February 14, 2012 Share Posted February 14, 2012 Um, I don't know? If it mentioned, I didn't catch it (major sinus infection, had to resort to meds, which hit. me. hard.) The men wore tall black hats, women conservatively dressed with wigs. However, there were other men on the streets and in wedding scenes with very large, round, furry brown hats. So they seemed different. I still don't understand the wig concept. I mean if a woman's hair is seen as arousing/seductive to a man and only meant for her husband's eyes, why the flirty, tousled wigs? Those wigs looked GREAT! Even Oprah, who I'm certain has see a lot of pretty well-done wigs in her time, remarked that they were the best looking wigs she'd ever seen. Interesting. astrid Wig concept......Letter of the law vs. Spirit of the law. Yes, they have beautiful wigs...some shave their heads....the spirit of the Law was modesty...the Letter says head covering. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spy Car Posted February 14, 2012 Share Posted February 14, 2012 Um, I don't know? If it mentioned, I didn't catch it (major sinus infection, had to resort to meds, which hit. me. hard.) The men wore tall black hats, women conservatively dressed with wigs. However, there were other men on the streets and in wedding scenes with very large, round, furry brown hats. So they seemed different. The fur hats are called "Shtreimels." Chabadniks (members of the Chabad-Lubavitch Hasidic sect) do not, to the best of my knowledge, wear Shtreimels (except for some in Jerusalem). The reasons are complex and get into some "inside baseball" but most importantly include following the example of their late Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneerson who wore a black fedora. Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UmmiSays Posted February 14, 2012 Share Posted February 14, 2012 I also wanted to add on part one she met with a family and they had NEVER,EVER watched television! I was blown away by that. I love that! My children have VERY, VERY limited media access but sometimes I wonder if I should just stop it all together. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ester Maria Posted February 14, 2012 Share Posted February 14, 2012 I saw this interview. About 4:45 a certain deja vu kicked in, and that about ruined any hopes I might have had to actually watch that episode sometime. LOL. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stripe Posted February 14, 2012 Share Posted February 14, 2012 I still don't understand the wig concept. I mean if a woman's hair is seen as arousing/seductive to a man and only meant for her husband's eyes, why the flirty, tousled wigs? Those wigs looked GREAT! I read on a website about Orthodox Judaism that scarves etc can come off, and there is something inherantly exciting about her hair so a wig is more modest. Apparently some groups have stopped promoting wigs though since it was revealed almost all the human hair wigs' hair comes from Hindu rituals. (I will try to find the website.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elizabeth Posted February 15, 2012 Share Posted February 15, 2012 The fur hats are called "Shtreimels." Chabadniks (members of the Chabad-Lubavitch Hasidic sect) do not, to the best of my knowledge, wear Shtreimels (except for some in Jerusalem). The reasons are complex and get into some "inside baseball" but most importantly include following the example of their late Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneerson who wore a black fedora. Bill Yep. We have a large community here. Dh says if he were ever to become observant he would like to hang with them due to the gangsta hats. :lol: That said, in all seriousness, they have been wonderful to the local Russian community here in ways that the reform have not...With regard to spirit and letter of the law particularly. The Lubavitchers behave in a loving gentle manner and make no overt attempt to convert those raised as atheists. The reform are" once a years" who felt good about themselves for throwing a crumb to those from behind the gates of November. I know far more than I will ever say. That should speak volumes to those that know me here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZooRho Posted February 15, 2012 Share Posted February 15, 2012 Interesting. I met a Hassidic Rebbie eek I'm thinking that is spelled wrong, many years ago at a Religious Preforming arts program. He was a very kind man who really took time with me as I was working on a skit for a Christmas program as I was able to ask him questions about that time, it helped so much. He also led a worship service that was unlike anything I'd ever done before very moving. I think of him often and wonder how he is doing. I'll have to look for this program Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kubiac Posted February 15, 2012 Share Posted February 15, 2012 I caught part one and need to find part two. Oprah does look tired, and she's so phoning it in and repeating herself. Why does she keeping trudging on if she's not that excited about her work? Frankly, I'm a huge sucker for "documentaries" about ultraconservative sects (and/or the Duggars) as I become increasingly domestically/familialy conservative in my old age. Of course, my conservative is still ragingly liberal on the overall scale, but it's a shift for me at least! Did you guys see Oprah's episode about the FLDS group in Texas? This reminded me of that, and for that matter, a lot of the ideas espoused seemed to be similar to what the Amish say about technology. Honestly, I think it's quite lovely and I appreciate the historicism of this faith. FWIW, my favorite translator of traditional Judaism is not Oprah but Jew in the City. She does great videos and writes a blog column. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cammie Posted February 15, 2012 Share Posted February 15, 2012 I read on a website about Orthodox Judaism that scarves etc can come off, and there is something inherantly exciting about her hair so a wig is more modest. Apparently some groups have stopped promoting wigs though since it was revealed almost all the human hair wigs' hair comes from Hindu rituals. (I will try to find the website.) I believe it. We have a HUGE temple in South India where most people who visit have their heads shaved as part of the visit. I have often wondered at the vast quantity of hair that must be donated. I know the temple sells the hair to raise money (this temple is rumored to be the richest religious site in the world...surpassing the Vatican even.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpidarkomama Posted February 15, 2012 Share Posted February 15, 2012 I read on a website about Orthodox Judaism that scarves etc can come off, and there is something inherantly exciting about her hair so a wig is more modest. Apparently some groups have stopped promoting wigs though since it was revealed almost all the human hair wigs' hair comes from Hindu rituals. (I will try to find the website.) Actually, there are many headcoverings that are quite secure, so that's not a worry. Wigs have to have a hechscher (rabbinic certification) saying that they are kosher, and wigs from India are generally not considered kosher. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpidarkomama Posted February 15, 2012 Share Posted February 15, 2012 I also wanted to add on part one she met with a family and they had NEVER,EVER watched television! I was blown away by that. I love that! My children have VERY, VERY limited media access but sometimes I wonder if I should just stop it all together. We visited extended family, and my children asked what those parts in between the show were. I told them it was called a "commercial." :lol: We don't watch tv, but we do have dvds that we watch at home. They had never seen a commercial before. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpidarkomama Posted February 15, 2012 Share Posted February 15, 2012 I was skeptical about the show, and was pleasantly surprised to find it a very respectful, lovely piece that captured the spirit of how we live our lives. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stripe Posted February 15, 2012 Share Posted February 15, 2012 Actually, there are many headcoverings that are quite secure, so that's not a worry. That is my experience but is not what the article said. It was pro-wig. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stripe Posted February 15, 2012 Share Posted February 15, 2012 I believe it. We have a HUGE temple in South India where most people who visit have their heads shaved as part of the visit. I have often wondered at the vast quantity of hair that must be donated. I know the temple sells the hair to raise money (this temple is rumored to be the richest religious site in the world...surpassing the Vatican even.) In Chris Rock's documentary /commentary on black hair called Good Hair, he also traveled there to see the shaving and what happens next, all the way to when it gets on mostly black women's head as weaves. Anotherreason that the guilt trip various moths on this board have described their longhaired daughters getting for not donating their hair to locks of love is ridiculous. The hair that's desired is long, thick, dark Indian hair. It commands the highest price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teachin'Mine Posted February 15, 2012 Share Posted February 15, 2012 Wig concept......Letter of the law vs. Spirit of the law. Yes, they have beautiful wigs...some shave their heads....the spirit of the Law was modesty...the Letter says head covering. All these years I've thought that the shaving of the heads and wigs was more for sanitary purposes - well the original intent anyway. I've been taught that it's because of the Laws in the Old Testament - many of which were set up out of health concerns and that shaving the head was about that rather than modesty. But now that I think about it, the men don't shave their heads ... So I've been wrong in my assumption? No TV connection, but I would have liked to have seen those programs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlyingMOm Posted February 15, 2012 Share Posted February 15, 2012 Does anyone know if the entire episode is available online? It seems that there are only excerpts available on Oprah's website. I'd love to see it. Chaim Potok is one of my favorite authors- he wrote about Hasidic Jews. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zaichiki Posted February 16, 2012 Share Posted February 16, 2012 FWIW, my favorite translator of traditional Judaism is not Oprah but Jew in the City. She does great videos and writes a blog column. Thanks for posting the link! :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommaduck Posted February 16, 2012 Share Posted February 16, 2012 FWIW, my favorite translator of traditional Judaism is not Oprah but Jew in the City. She does great videos and writes a blog column. I have loved some of her videos! (ran across them because I'm a headcoverer) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justamouse Posted February 16, 2012 Share Posted February 16, 2012 I ahve been looking for these all over and am so pfft over only being able to see clips! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justamouse Posted February 16, 2012 Share Posted February 16, 2012 FWIW, my favorite translator of traditional Judaism is not Oprah but Jew in the City. She does great videos and writes a blog column. what an awesome blog Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
astrid Posted February 17, 2012 Author Share Posted February 17, 2012 I was skeptical about the show, and was pleasantly surprised to find it a very respectful, lovely piece that captured the spirit of how we live our lives. I"m glad you weighed in with your thoughts. As I was watching it, *I* thought it was respectfully done, and I just loved the family she profiled, but I did wonder whether others in their community/belief circle would find it so. I'm glad you didn't see it as intrusive or disrespectful. astrid Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UmmiSays Posted February 17, 2012 Share Posted February 17, 2012 (edited) I had a question regarding the wigs as a hair covering. In the special the woman said they wore the wigs to cover their own hair, because hair was seen as something sexual or sensual. But, doesn't it defeat the purpose of wearing a wig, because then you are wearing someone else's hair which is still kinda sensual? I wonder if it is also about blending into society, and bringing less attention to themselves. I cover my hair for religious purposes, but I usually wrap up my scarves in a African/ African-American style, mostly because I want to celebrate my own heritage and sometimes because I would rather limit the negative attention that is given to Muslim women when draping their scarves. Edited February 17, 2012 by UmmiSays Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YaelAldrich Posted February 17, 2012 Share Posted February 17, 2012 I had a question regarding the wigs as a hair covering. In the special the woman said they wore the wigs to cover their own hair, because hair was seen as something sexual or sensual. But, doesn't it defeat the purpose of wearing a wig, because then you are wearing someone else's hair which is still kinda sensual? I wonder if it is also about blending into society, and bringing less attention to themselves. I cover my hair for religious, but I usually wrap up my scarves in a African/ African-American style, mostly because I want to celebrate my own heritage and sometimes because I would rather limit the negative attention that is given Muslim women when draping their scarves. As a wig (and scarf and hat) wearer the idea is that you can be attractive but not attracting. With a wig, you whip/flip it around, but you can never run your fingers through it like you would real hair. It looks good to the outside world, but you are very conscious it is wig every second of the day. To those of us in the know, you know (almost always, I've only been fooled once in my life) when a woman is wearing a wig. The Lubavitcher Rebbe (the spiritual leader of the people Oprah spoke to) asked women to wear wigs above and beyond all over head/haircoverings to make them feel good about themselves (when I wear a wig it is somewhat more liberating that wearing even a pretty scarf). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spy Car Posted February 17, 2012 Share Posted February 17, 2012 I was more than a little surprised that Oprah didn't recognize the Lubavitcher Rebbe ("Who's that guy?"). Was that for real??? Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YaelAldrich Posted February 17, 2012 Share Posted February 17, 2012 She's from Chicago -- if she were from NYC that would be a different matter. Chicago's Chabad community is sizeable but in the Loop they only have a smallish synagogue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spy Car Posted February 17, 2012 Share Posted February 17, 2012 She's from Chicago -- if she were from NYC that would be a different matter. Chicago's Chabad community is sizeable but in the Loop they only have a smallish synagogue. But the Rebbe (Menachem Mendel Schneerson) was an internationally known figure. Knowing who he was seems like a part of common knowledge, and he was at least a figure I'd suspect a producer would fill her in on if she was doing a story involving Chabad-Lubavitch. Strikes me a strange. Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UmmiSays Posted February 17, 2012 Share Posted February 17, 2012 As a wig (and scarf and hat) wearer the idea is that you can be attractive but not attracting. With a wig, you whip/flip it around, but you can never run your fingers through it like you would real hair. It looks good to the outside world, but you are very conscious it is wig every second of the day. To those of us in the know, you know (almost always, I've only been fooled once in my life) when a woman is wearing a wig. The Lubavitcher Rebbe (the spiritual leader of the people Oprah spoke to) asked women to wear wigs above and beyond all over head/haircoverings to make them feel good about themselves (when I wear a wig it is somewhat more liberating that wearing even a pretty scarf). Thanks for your insight. I have another question, if it's ok. The women also explain the reasoning behind no physical touching with the addition to seven days. I once saw a documentary about this, and the woman there was seeking cousel about the hardship that comes with. She stated that additional days had been added by a Rabbi and it was not an original command. She noted that some great women in Jewish history had not been mothers and she always wondered if this had something to do with it. I too wondered if the seven additional days effect the possible fertility (ovulation) of some Jewish women that observe this practice. Also is there no physical contact during the post partum bleeding as well? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justamouse Posted February 17, 2012 Share Posted February 17, 2012 FWIW, my favorite translator of traditional Judaism is not Oprah but Jew in the City. She does great videos and writes a blog column. Great chipmunks, her vid on science and torah is awesome. May it halt a kerfluffle in its tracks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YaelAldrich Posted February 17, 2012 Share Posted February 17, 2012 (edited) Thanks for your insight. I have another question, if it's ok. The women also explain the reasoning behind no physical touching with the addition to seven days. I once saw a documentary about this, and the woman there was seeking cousel about the hardship that comes with. She stated that additional days had been added by a Rabbi and it was not an original command. She noted that some great women in Jewish history had not been mothers and she always wondered if this had something to do with it. I too wondered if the seven additional days effect the possible fertility (ovulation) of some Jewish women that observe this practice. Also is there no physical contact during the post partum bleeding as well? That's interesting -- there is a documentary about the Family Purity laws!?! The original separation was for the days of menstruation. Up until the time of the Roman Empire, the rabbis and even ordinary people could tell the differences between menstrual "uncleanliness" and another form of ritual impurity that kept a woman from being able to go the Temple in Jerusalem. That knowledge (in addition to a lot of ritual purity laws) got lost during the tumultuous Roman exile times and so the women (not the Rabbis) actually decided to make a stringency for themselves to keep an extra week to make sure that when they immersed in the mikvah (body of special water) they would not in question about their body's status. As for fertility, the minimum time a woman abstains from sex (and the other laws/customs that go along with this time) is 12 days (5 minimum for menstruation and the seven additional days, 11 in some customs). If one's body is on that approximate 28-30 day cycle, you immerse and then have relations somewhere around your fertile period. If a woman's cycle is much different that that, there can be issues with fertility. The rabbis care about women (and their husbands) ability to have a family, so in those cases have some work-arounds (varying on the situation and rabbi). As to its difficulty, some love it because you get a waxing and waning aspect to the sexual part of the relationship (like a honeymoon every month, it is likened to), some hate being apart and not being able to get benign hugs and kisses. I've gone both ways at different periods of my life. Yes, the same laws are in place during post-partum (or any bleeding that emanates from the uterus) bleeding. Whew! Hope I covered it all! Edited February 17, 2012 by YaelAldrich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UmmiSays Posted February 17, 2012 Share Posted February 17, 2012 That's interesting -- there is a documentary about the Family Purity laws!?! The original separation was for the days of menstruation. Up until the time of the Roman Empire, the rabbis and even ordinary people could tell the differences between menstrual "uncleanliness" and another form of ritual impurity that kept a woman from being able to go the Temple in Jerusalem. That knowledge (in addition to a lot of ritual purity laws) got lost during the tumultuous Roman exile times and so the women (not the Rabbis) actually decided to make a stringency for themselves to keep an extra week to make sure that when they immersed in the mikvah (body of special water) they would not in question about their body's status. As for fertility, the minimum time a woman abstains from sex (and the other laws/customs that go along with this time) is 12 days (5 minimum for menstruation and the seven additional days). If one's body is on that approximate 28-30 day cycle, you immerse and then have relations somewhere around your fertile period. If a woman's cycle is much different that that, there can be issues with fertility. The rabbis care about women (and their husbands) ability to have a family, so in those cases have some work-arounds (varying on the situation and rabbi). As to its difficulty, some love it because you get a waxing and waning aspect to the sexual part of the relationship (like a honeymoon every month, it is likened to), some hate being apart and not being able to get benign hugs and kisses. I've gone both ways at different periods of my life. Yes, the same laws are in place during post-partum (or any bleeding that emanates from the uterus) bleeding. Whew! Hope I covered it all! Thank you Yael! I really appreciate this. I love learning more about this religious community. In Islam, you are not allowed to have relations with your spouse while she is on her cycle, so I kinda(a little bit) related but kept thinking the additional days could be a hinderance to fertility. So thank you again for explaining that. Ok, I have one more :D. In the last discussion on Judaism you mentioned all the food you cook for shabat? Does the food you listed have a religious significance and how long does it take you to prepare all of that. I mean, it was like a feast you were preparing. Is this for every Friday? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stripe Posted February 17, 2012 Share Posted February 17, 2012 (edited) I was more than a little surprised that Oprah didn't recognize the Lubavitcher Rebbe ("Who's that guy?"). Was that for real??? Oprah is very charming in her own way, but I would never expect her to knw the Lubavitcher Rebbe. Seriously, Bill. You're expecting too much. She's in a different world from that. I wouldn't recognize him either. I think. Off to find his photo. Nope. Don't recognize him. Sorry to admit my ignorance. I have actually heard of him, at least. Edited February 17, 2012 by stripe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YaelAldrich Posted February 17, 2012 Share Posted February 17, 2012 Thank you Yael! I really appreciate this. I love learning more about this religious community. In Islam, you are not allowed to have relations with your spouse while she is on her cycle, so I kinda(a little bit) related but kept thinking the additional days could be a hinderance to fertility. So thank you again for explaining that. Ok, I have one more :D. In the last discussion on Judaism you mentioned all the food you cook for shabat? Does the food you listed have a religious significance and how long does it take you to prepare all of that. I mean, it was like a feast you were preparing. Is this for every Friday? OK! Here's your answer! The challahs (what everyone knows as eggy braided breads, although they don't have to be, you can use any whole piece of bread, some people use pita or matzoh) are religiously important. There were 12 "shewbreads" in the Temple/Tabernacle that were made from the oil and flour sacrifices people gave, baked and kept in the holy area every week. The word challah actually is a blob of that shewbread that was separated and given to the Cohanim (the priestly class, who has no ancestral lands given to them by Joshua, every other tribe has a parcel of land given to them, so this was part of the compensation given to the Cohanim along with parts of the meat sacrifices and first fruits) The challah of today (if you make enough) also has a blob of it separated and now burnt to render it unusable since we have no Cohanim in ritual purity (see that ritual purity stuff still has a place in Judaism). It is a remembrance of the original "challah". Judaism is chock full of this kind of thing. We have two whole pieces at each of the three Shabbos meals (Sabbath Friday at sundown to Saturday approximately one hour after sundown) to remember the double portion of manna that G-d sent to the Jews while they wandered the aisles of WalMart, I mean, Egypt/Jordan. We cover the challahs with a cloth and under it is the fancy Shabbos table cloth like the dew that fell on the manna. Why egg bread? It is rich and sweet (the Middle Eastern derived Jews don't do the eggs and sugar, they follow slightly different ideas of what can classified as bread) like our Sabbath is to us. OK, now on grape juice/wine. We say a remembrance (you'll hear this word a LOT from me) about how G-d redeemed us from Egypt and about how G-d created the world and then "rested" on the seventh day, then the standard blessing over the grape product. The juice/wine must be kosher (as all of our food must be). The other foods mostly come from where your family came from/with whom you hang out. Fish is common food because it stands for the special fish meal that we believe that we will eat in the world to come (way too complicated to talk about here) and there is a famous story about the length a person went to have fish for Shabbos (Yosef Mokir Shabbos). Meat/Chicken we have (if we aren't vegans/vegetarians) because there is the idea of Oneg Shabbos (enjoying the Shabbos) and nothing's better than gnawing on a steak bone! :lol: The cholent, hamin, or dafina that is customary (but not obligatory) is for the idea that we are to have a hot meal on Shabbos day. How is that since we do not cook, bake, turn on gas/electric on Shabbos? We keep the meal cooking from before Shabbos until the lunchtime meal. We eat a hot meal for Oneg Shabbos and to differentiate ourselves from the Kariates who followed the Written Law (i.e., Bible) but not Rabbinic law (Talmud, Mishnah and other rabbinic writings). Last but not least, we eat a third meal even though we've eaten ourselves silly from Friday night onward because we love to continue the dinner party/Shabbos (so to speak) with G-d as long as we can. Some people have a Meleva d'Malka after Shabbos is over to keep the party going!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YaelAldrich Posted February 17, 2012 Share Posted February 17, 2012 Oh, it can take as quick as a couple of hours (but I wouldn't have THAT much food made), but a Shabbos like that one -- a little done on Thursday night, like the challah and some desserts, the rest made on Friday for fresheness. But I've been doing this for almost 20 years so I have it down to a science. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UmmiSays Posted February 17, 2012 Share Posted February 17, 2012 Thank you for such a detailed explanation! It seems like so much is about remeberance. It's like a historical/religious celebration time every week! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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