Lighting of the Candles
Candles should be lit no later than eighteen minutes before sundown.
At least two candles should be lit, representing the dual commandments to remember and to keep the Sabbath. The candles are lit by the woman of the household. After lighting, she waives her hands over the candles, welcoming in the Sabbath. Then she covers her eyes, so as not to see the candles before reciting the blessing, and recites the blessing. The hands are then removed from the eyes, and she looks at the candles, completing the mitzvah of lighting the candles.
Listen to the blessing for lighting the candles on Friday evening:
Read the blessing for lighting the candles in Hebrew, transliterated Hebrew, and English.
Kiddush
Kiddush is recited while holding a cup of wine. If wine or grape juice is not used, you should substitute she-ha-kol niyeh bidvaro (by whose will all things come to be) for borei p’riy ha-gafen (who creates the fruit of the vine).
Listen to the Friday evening kiddush:
Read the Friday evening kiddush in Hebrew, transliterated Hebrew, and English
Listen to the Rosh Hashanah kiddush:
Ha-Motzi
Immediately after washing hands and before eating, the head of the household removes the cover from the two challah loaves, lifting them while reciting the following blessing.
Listen to the Ha Motzi blessing:
Read the Ha Motzi blessing in Hebrew, transliterated Hebrew, and English.