A Beginner's Guide to Sabbath Meal Planning

If you're new to observing the Sabbath, you might be wondering how to plan your meals for this special day. The Sabbath is a time of rest, worship and fellowship, so you want to avoid spending too much time in the kitchen or doing chores. Here are some tips to help you prepare your Sabbath meals in advance and enjoy them with your family and friends.

- Plan ahead. The best way to avoid stress and hassle on the Sabbath is to plan your menu for the whole week and do your shopping and cooking beforehand. You can make a list of the dishes you want to serve and the ingredients you need, and then shop for them on Sunday or Monday. You can also cook some of the dishes ahead of time and freeze them, or use a slow cooker or an instant pot to make them on Friday morning.

- Keep it simple. You don't have to make elaborate or fancy meals for the Sabbath. You can stick to your favorite recipes or try some new ones that are easy and quick to make. You can also use shortcuts like canned or frozen foods, pre-cut vegetables, ready-made sauces or mixes, etc. The main thing is to make sure you have enough food for everyone and that it tastes good.

- Make it special. Even though you want to keep your Sabbath meals simple, you can still make them special by adding some touches that make them different from your regular meals. For example, you can use a nice tablecloth, napkins, candles, flowers, or other decorations to create a festive atmosphere. You can also serve some special dishes that you don't usually have, such as challah bread, wine, soup, salad, dessert, etc. You can also sing songs, say blessings, read scriptures, or share stories to enrich your mealtime.

- Enjoy it. The most important thing about your Sabbath meals is to enjoy them with your loved ones. You can invite guests over or join a community meal at your synagogue or church. You can also take your time to savor the food and the conversation, and not rush through it. You can also relax and rest after the meal, or do some activities that bring you joy and peace.

If you've come across any great recipes you'd like to share, I'd love to hear from you. This is a community thing, so please get in touch.

I hope these tips help you plan your Sabbath meals and make them a source of blessing and delight for you and your family. Shabbat shalom!

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Thank you for reading this blog post by the Messianic author Bob Lampkin. If you enjoyed it, please like, follow, subscribe or share it with your friends and family.