1 Likro et Hahallel
2 La'asot Ma'akeh
3 Hanoon Hamarbeh L'sloah
4 Al Nitilat Yadayim
5 Melekh Ohev Tzedakah U'mishpat
6 Dayan Ha'emeth
7 Leshev Ba'Sukkah
8 Lasok b'divrei Torah
9 Kiddush levana
10 Asher yatzar
11 Borei Pri Ha'eitz
12 HaMotzi
13 SheHakol Nihiyeh B'dvaro
14 Shehechiyanu
15 Lihitattef Batzitzit
16 Likboah Mezuzah
17 L'hadlik ner shel hannukah
18 She'asah nisim lavoteinu byamim hahem bazman hazeh
19 HaGomel L'Chayavim tovot, shegimalani kol tov
20 Malbish Arumim
21 L'hadlik ner shel Shabbat
22 Borei pri Hagafen
23 Hazan et HaKol
24 L'havchin bein yom u'vein layla
25 lhanot bahem b'nai adam.
26 borei minei mizonot
27 HaMachazir neshamot lifgarim matim
28 l'hachniso b'brito shel avraham avinu
29 al mikra megillah
30 shomeah tephillah
31 noten hatorah
32 sh'asani b'tzalmo
33 al biur hametz
34 al sefirat ha'omer
35 et amo yisrael bashalom.
36 Haham HaRazim
37 haolam Borei Minei Bisamim
38 matir asurim
39 shepratani meansho shel zeh
40 zokeif kifufim
41 HaBocher  b'amo yisrael b'ahava
42 hamavdil bein kodesh lechol
43 borei meorei haeish
44 magen avraham
45 shover oyvim umachnea zaydim
46 Mikadeish HaShabbat
47 boreh pri ha'adamah
48 al ha'aretz v'al hamazon
49 michayei HaMaitim
50 yotzer ha'adam
51 boneh berachamav yerushalayim
52 she'asani kirtzono

Bracha #46

Page 49 in Siddur Sim Shalom

Coupled with the bracha of Borei Pri Hagafen (#22) these two brachot make up the Kiddush for Shabbat. There is an extensive discussion in the Mishna of Brachot between Beit Shammai and Beit Hillel as to which bracha is recited first when making the kiddush. As you can imagine, since we almost always follow the opinion of Beit Hillel, it is their approach to say borei pri hagafen first leaving what is known as Kiddush Hayom for the later position. The discussion centers on whether the bracha for the day should come before or after the bracha over the wine.

This week we have heard much about the Jewish ritual practices of the first Israeli astronaut. Questions have been raised about keeping kosher and about praying at the proper time of day and the observance of Shabbat. One of the key texts that has been used in determining the parameters of Shabbat in space is the text that requires a person who is stranded on a island and looses track of the day to simply count seven days and on the seventh day he should observe Shabbat.

The message this text is teaching is that we "make Shabbat." I know the phrase may sound familiar to some as they might have heard a parent say, as they were preparing food for Shabbat that they were "making Shabbos." And the lesson is the same. We have to do something for Shabbat to happen. Though the day of the week will arrive no matter which activities in which we engage ourselves. Though people will behave how ever they want regardless of the choices we make in our own personal lives. We can make the determination that one day of the week will different for us. But to make that effort requires forethought.

Only through planning will Shabbat truly happen. The food has to be purchased and cooked in advance. The house has to be cleaned, the kids must be bathed the candles must be prepared and table set. Once all has been accomplished and candles have been lit the family gathers at the table and the kiddush is recited and we make the declaration, Shabbos has begun through the words of this bracha. We determine this point is the beginning and in 25 hours we will recite the havdalah (bracha #42) and Shabbat will end. We say this bracha and decide from this moment forward we will do nothing to change the nature of the world. We will neither create nor destroy anything. The only thing we will enhance through concerted effort is our relationship with God, our community, our family and ourselves.

Then we step back and ask God to make the transformation real. This bracha thanks God for making Shabbat holy. We can make Shabbat, but it is God that makes it holy. We set the frame work, it is God that breathes life into that structure. Just as God breathes life into us, God animates the Shabbat through manifesting God's self on earth. If you build it properly, God's presence is palpable. If we take care of every detail the pleasure of Shabbat will extend to the other days of the week.

Copyright © 2001 Rabbi Yohanan Stein. All rights reserved.