When the Sun Sets Early, Its a Race to Prepare for Shabbat.

[elleng]

'It’s 4 p.m. on a cold December Friday. I type an email for work with one hand, stir a pot of zucchini lentil soup with the other and usher my two daughters out of the kitchen and into the playroom with my third, invisible hand.

My eyes are always on the clock, ticking down to my weekly deadline: sunset. Before the sun disappears below the horizon, I will stop whatever I am doing to light two white candles and recite a simple blessing in Hebrew to mark the beginning of the Jewish Sabbath.

My family lives according to traditional Jewish law, which includes observing the Sabbath, a weekly day of rest. Our Sabbath starts as the sun begins to set on Friday and continues until after nightfall Saturday.

Right now, at the winter solstice, sunset in New York comes around 4:30 and there are only nine hours and 15 minutes of daylight — nearly six hours fewer than at the summer solstice in June. The early darkness is a mere inconvenience to many people, but to observant Jewish families the shorter days significantly change the rhythm of life.'>>>

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/23/well/family/when-the-sun-sets-early-its-a-race-to-prepare-for-shabbat.html?

[question everything]

1. Will get a bit later next Friday (nt)

[EllieBC]

2. I do a lot of my prep Thursday night after the kids are in bed.

This week, candle lighting by me is at 4:05pm. From Oct-March, I bake my challah late late Thursday. The other half of the year I can comfortably do it Friday mornings. I also make any cold salads I will be serving for Friday night or Saturday on Thursday night. And dessert. I get that done early too.

[elleng]

3. Impressive!

[EllieBC]

4. I hate being rushed.

My husband and I aren't 100% observant anymore but we still make shabbos because the kids love it. But I hate feeling panicked on Friday which happens in fall and winter.

[MosheFeingold]

5. Chanukkah was a bit of a scramble this year as well

Not sure why, but we were a little flat-footed and had to scramble.

Then we basically forgot about it the evening (after) Shabbos and ended up lighting candles at 10:00 pm.

I'm old and have a wonderful daughter-in-law (an Orthodox convert, originally Irish Catholic) who really keeps us honest living next door. She's 100% fluent in Hebrew and more knowledgeable than most anyone about keeping a Kosher home.

Never, ever, let anyone talk bad about converts. Jews-by-choice are often the most Jewish people I know.

(Plus, my great-grand kids have red hair and freckles. Fun!)

[EllieBC]

6. I've read that red headed Jews may be descendants

of Italian Jews.

There's an Italian shul in Jerusalem. I went once for Shabbat. Beautiful service. The Italian rite is gorgeous.

And I agree about converts. They know their stuff!