French Jewish Traditions and Recipes
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      • Chu-Chu-Kah (Shabbat, Rosh Hashanah)
      • Eggplant and Almond Salad (Rosh Hashanah)
      • Pomegranate Salad (Rosh Hashanah)
      • Fava Bean and Cumin Salad (Shabbat, Purim)
      • Bok'tof (Purim)
      • Artichoke and Fennel Salad (Passover)
      • Meat Bestels (Hanukkah)
      • Battered Vegetables with Olive Tapenade Dip (Hanukkah)
      • Frank Puff Pastries (Shabbat, Hanukkah)
      • Marinated Dried Peppers (Passover)
      • Ma-gee-nah (Passover Meat and Vegetable Terrine)
    • Entrées >
      • Algerian Couscous (Shabbat)
      • Spinach Cholent (Rosh Hashanah)
      • Almond and Honey Chicken (Rosh Hashanah)
      • Beef Burgundy (Shabbat, Hanukkah)
      • Homhe - Chicken and Chick Pea Gratin (Kippur)
      • Potato Gratin (Shavuot)
      • Butter and Raisin Couscous (Shavuot)
      • Chestnut Turkey Roast (Hanukkah, Sukkot) >
        • Mashed Celery and Potato
      • Choucroute -Alsacian Sauerkraut (Hanukkah, Sukkot)
      • Potato Lamb Roast (Passover)
      • Meatball and Sweet Pea Stew (Shabbat, Passover)
      • Sweet Potato Cholent (Rosh Hashanah)
      • Hen with Golden Eggs (Simha Torah)
    • Desserts >
      • Algerian Doughnuts (Chanukah)
      • Stuffed Dates (Purim)
      • Kirsch Mousse (Purim)
      • Nathalie's Apple Strudel (Rosh Hashanah)
      • Spice Cake (Rosh Hashanah)
      • Almond Cigars (Purim, Kippur)
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      • Haman's Mustache (Purim)
      • Sferies (Passover)
      • Cheesecream Tart (Shavuot)
      • Passover Chocolate Cake
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What Shabbat is about..

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Shabbat is observed from a few minutes before sunset on Friday  evening until a few minutes after the appearance of three stars in the  sky on Saturday night. The exact times, therefore, differ from week to week and from place to  place, depending on the time of sunset at each location.

 On Shabbat Jews recall the
Biblical Creation  account in Genesis,  describing God creating the Heavens and the Earth in six days and resting on  the seventh. It also recalls the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai,  when God commanded the Israelite nation to observe the seventh day and keep it  holy.


 

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Shabbat is considered a festive day, when a Jew is  freed from the regular labors of everyday life, can contemplate the spiritual  aspects of life, and can spend time with family. Traditionally, three festive meals are  eaten: on Friday night, Saturday morning, and late Saturday afternoon. The day  is also noted for those activities prohibited on Shabbat according to Jewish law. It is expected that Jews  do not by any extent do work on this holy day. This includes for modern times  sake driving, turning on or off a light switch, or watching or using any  electronic devices. 


Shabbat rituals 

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Many Jews attend synagogue services on Shabbat  even if they do not do so during the week. Services are held on Shabbat eve  (Friday night), Shabbat morning (Saturday morning), and late Shabbat afternoon  (Saturday afternoon).

  Jews  are asked to observe (refrain from  forbidden activity) and remember(with words, thoughts, and actions) the  Shabbat, and these two actions are symbolized by the two Shabbat candles which are lit 18 to 40 minutes before the onset of Shabbat by Jewish women, usually the mother/wife.It is customary to light two candles, although some  families light more.

These are the positive commandments that one must obey on the Shabbat.
                  
Honouring Shabbat (kavod Shabbat): Preparing for the upcoming Shabbat by bathing, having a haircut, and cleaning and beautifying
  the home (with flowers, for example). On Shabbat itself, wearing festive  clothing and refraining from unpleasant conversation. It is customary to avoid  talk about money or business matters on Shabbat. 
                   
Recitation of Kiddush over a cup of wine at the beginning of the first  and second Shabbat meals.
                   
Eating three festive meals. Meals begin with a blessing over two loaves of bread, usually a braided Challah. It is customary to serve
meat or fish, and sometimes both, for the Shabbat evening and morning meals. The third meal, eaten late Shabbat afternoon, is called Seudah Shlishit (literally, "Third Meal"). This is generally a light meal.
                   
Enjoying Shabbat : Engaging in pleasurable activities such as eating, singing,  and spending time with the family.
                 
Recitation of  Havdalah at the conclusion of Shabbat at nightfall (over a cup of wine, and with the use  of fragrant spices and a candle).

 


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