Friday Night Dinner at Home

Last night, I went to my community where I grew up and had Shabbat dinner with my family at a friend's house in the neighborhood. It was really nice to be back home for Shabbat dinner and to share a meal with family and close friends. We had a dairy meal for dinner which is a nice change of pace from the usual meat meals that i grew up with.

We talked about a lot of interesting things such as politics and our own lives. During the meal, I learned some interesting things about the Shabbat meal that i did not know beforehand. One thing I learned is that the Shabbat meals are supposed to be reminiscent of the sarifical offerings that occured in the Temple Before Common Era (BCE). Also, one of the reasons we put salt on bread at the Shabbat meal is because in ancient times the most common food was salt and bread. We are being reminded of that as well as the sacrifical offerings in the temple when we sprinkle the salt on the Challah (bread) during the Shabbat meals.

Fun Fact: It was a custom when a person moves into a new house for people to bring them bread and salt. Bread and salt symbolize a fresh start and new beginnings.