The Friday evening service is a weekly prayer service that is held in synagogues or homes to welcome in the Hebrew Sabbath, which begins at sundown on Friday and lasts until sundown on Saturday. During the service, prayers are recited and songs are sung to honor the Sabbath and to give thanks for the blessings of the week.
In the Essene tradition, the Kiddush meal is unleavened bread and grape juice and it is considered a festive meal that is traditionally shared with family and friends after the Friday evening service. It begins with the recitation of a blessing over wine [non-fermented grape juice], followed by the Kiddush prayer, which sanctifies the Sabbath. After the Kiddush prayer, a blessing is recited over the unleavened bread, and the meal begins.
The Kiddush meal is an opportunity to come together with loved ones and to celebrate the Sabbath in a joyful and meaningful way. It is a time to reflect on the blessings of the past week and to give thanks for the gift of the Sabbath.
In addition to the prayers and blessings, the Friday evening service and Kiddush meal are also important opportunities to connect with the community and to strengthen one’s connection to God and the Essene traditions and values. By participating in these traditions, we are reminded of the importance of coming together in faith, love, and celebration.