OPENING PRAYERS
VI ‘ On the seventh day, God finished the work of creation …’The rabbis asked: ‘What was the “work”that God did on the seventh day?’They taught that God created m’nuchah , ‘rest’. We turn to You, Creator of work and of rest. We seek to create Shabbat rest in our lives that is more than just an end to the working week. Let us dedicate a day to You alone, setting aside our busy–ness and our ambitions, our anxieties and our control. May the rituals we take upon ourselves this day give our Shabbat form. May the Torah we study today give our Shabbat meaning. May the companionship we experience today give our Shabbat joy. Support us in all we do to create our Shabbat rest. For these few precious hours may we experience ourselves once again as creatures in the presence of our Creator. May we celebrate the flow of life about us and within us. May we discover the rhythm of Shabbat and find the joy that comes from Your presence in our lives. VII Shabbat Sometimes I am not ready to receive you, but you are already there … Sometimes the world, time, rushes by and you are gone before I ever noticed you … Sometimes everybody stands in front of me and I cannot see you, you were there, weren’t you? Sometimes we managed to arrive together, you are ready and I am rushed. Sometimes there is suddenly a deep peace
and intense quiet by candlelight. I whisper breathlessly: welcome. Gut Shabbos !!
Sarah (Henriette Verdonk)
1 Gen 2:2.
Made with FlippingBook - Online catalogs