Shabbat meals – Oneg Shabbat

Kiddush – and the first meal

If you ask a child who grew up in a Sabbath-observant home, what is his favorite experience on Shabbat, chances are he will mark his enjoyment of Shabbat meals. At these dinners, all the members of the household sit around the large table, which has a festive tablecloth, and is arranged with beautiful utensils. The father of the family sits at the head of the table, and he makes kiddush on the wine, and gives the entire family a taste of the Kiddush wine.

The family members wash their hands, and the father of the family blesses two challahs – and he cuts one of them, dips each slice into the salt, and distributes it to the entire family. Afterwards, the members of the household eat the Shabbat delicacies, and between the portions we sing the Sabbath songs, in their traditional melodies, from the siddur.

This experience of the Sabbath table, its food and songs, leaves its mark for the rest of the week, and for many years afterwards. The feeling of the child that he is part of a warm and united family that remembers to delight the Sabbath day for many varied reasons. A family that remembers to sing and rejoice, and to bless and thank the Creator for all the goodness that has rewarded us, and for the wonderful world he created for us during the six days of creation –
And to bless him for the wonderful gift he created for us on the seventh day, at the end of the creation of the world: the gift of the day of rest – shabbat.

On Shabbat we eat 3 meals.

the first meal

The first meal is held on the eve of Shabbat, after the evening prayers. At this meal, fish are usually eaten for the first course: gefilte fish with Ashkenazim, spicy fish among Moroccans, etc., although there are also people who diversify and serve other foods that are suitable for the first course.
The second dish has chicken soup, especially during the winter.
The third dish is usually the main course, serving chicken or meat, rice or potatoes.
You can also finish the meal with a tasty and refreshing compote, and so finish the meal with a sweet taste in your mouth

the second meal

The second meal is held on the morning of the Sabbath, after Shacharit and Mussaf. – There is also kiddush in this meal.
At this meal, most of the houses are used to eat meat dishes – which is found on the Sabbath platter on Shabbat eve, and is called “cholent” or “cholent”

The third meal

The third meal is held on the Sabbath afternoon, and sometimes it lasts for many hours (and there is no kiddush on the wine).
This meal is usually lighter, and consists mostly of fish and salads, where they sing the songs of “Seoda Shlishit”

there is also a fourth meal

It should also be noted that there is also a fourth meal, which takes place after the end of the Sabbath, after the Havdalah, and is also known as “Melave Malka”