The Shabbos Companion: Shabbos Eve, by Rabbi Abraham J. Twerski

The Shabbos Companion: Shabbos Eve
Customs, Prayers, Stories, Zemiros
By Rabbi Abraham J. Twerski M.D.
Artscroll - Shaar Press, New York: 2007
ISBN 10: 1-4226-0591-4
ISBN 13: 978-1-4226-0591-2

Reviewed by Simon Bonim - December 17, 2007

Shabbos is the most exquisite of all the Jewish holidays, and as a woman, for me it is one of the most meaningful and touching holidays there is. The sense of peace and oneness with HaShem that infuses the entire household after the Shabbos candles are lit is unmistakable, as important, Shabbos gives every Jew a change to recharge our spiritual batteries, to withdraw from the hub-bub of the day to day world, and look inward, toward ourselves, toward our families, and toward our faith. In The Shabbos Companion: Shabbos Eve Rabbi Abraham J. Twerski captures the incredible beauty of Shabbos, and he provides a wealth of inspirational information about this weekly holiday in the form of stories, prayers, Zemiros (songs), and insights into the various customs that surround Shabbos.

In this volume, Rabbi Twerski concentrates on Shabbos Eve, and in it he interweaves insightful commentary and stories about Shabbos along with its religious background, associated prayers, and halacha of Shabbos. Rabbi Twerski is a natural story teller, and a renowned Torah scholar. He ably infuses these two specialities in this book, creating a warm and inviting volume that will provide an authoritative and accepting introduction to Shabbos for those who have just discovered its beauty, while at the same time increasing the religious and personal significance of the Shabbos Eve for those who have observed it for years.

The text begins with a brief introduction, and than proceeds through Shabbos Eve in a temporal order, beginning with its beginning and the lighting of the Shabbos candles than moves onto chapters dealing with:

The introductory Psalms (Psalm 107)
Kabbalas Shabbos (receiving the Shabbos)
The Maariv (evening prayer)
Seudas Shabbos and the Friday Night Meal
The singing of Zemiros (Shabbos Songs)
Bircas HaMazon (Grace after meals)
and ending with Shalom Zachar (a gathering on Friday night to celebrate the birth of a male child), and the Oneg Shabbos (a gathering after the evening meal where Shabbos is celebrated with songs, study, and comradery - or simply the act of enjoying the Shabbos.)

Along the way, The Shabbos Companion: Shabbos Eve will remind you just how important Shabbos is, what it means to you, personally, and to Jews throughout history, and why it is so important to cherish and celebrate Shabbos to the fullest!

Related Reviews:

The Shabbos Companion: Shabbos Day, by Rabbi Abraham J. Twerski.
In this second book in Rabbi Twerski's informative series on Shabbos, Rabbi Twerski's interweaves stories, songs, prayers, and customs as it delves into the beauty, significance, and the elements that comprise Shabbos Day.
Artscroll Sabbath and Festivals Siddur, edited by Rabbi Nosson Scherman
The Nusach Ashkenaz edition of the Weinberg Foundation Large Type Edition of the Artscroll Sabbath and Festivals Siddur featuring a new translation and anthologized commentary by Rabbi Scherman. (large print)

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