Sabbath Prep and the Idol of Cleanliness

Can we talk about 'prep day' and this notion of 'getting ready for Sabbath'? 

When I first started observing the Sabbath, I think about 90% of the related internet content consisted of cleaning checklists. Long ones too: vacuum the floors, straighten up the house, take out the trash, wash the dishes, make the beds, set the table, clean the bathrooms. And don't forget about making a fancy dinner, and then tons of food for tomorrow, empty your inbox, bathe the kids, and plan a special activity. It's not surprising that much of the Hebrew community refers to Friday as prep day, because that's how long all of this takes.

There are a few problems with this system. Firstly, Scripture does not teach that this thorough cleaning is required of us for the Sabbath day. But also, keeping Sabbath is meant for all of YHWH's children, not just the retirees and the stay-at-home-mom families. When we (unintentionally or otherwise) present to others this enormous checklist of things to do before Shabbat we are telling them that if you can't juggle in this extra load of work then they can't keep the Sabbath day. That is a tragedy! When we make the Sabbath more about having a clean house than about relationship with YHWH, it becomes an idol. May he forgive us if we make having a prep day for Shabbat a requirement, because he didn't.

Friends, I know that none of you want to place a stumbling block before others or to make Sabbath keeping seem like a burden. But can you see how this pervasive mentality of Friday as a house cleaning day can be a hindrance to those that work or have other commitments before the Sabbath? I also know that many of you feel overwhelmed with getting ready for the Sabbath each week. And honestly when I would put my effort into those checklists it did not leave me with an attitude that loved the set apart day. Why are we clinging to this tradition of near impossible standards if it causes frustration and resentment with one of YHWH's commandments? What does that do to our relationship with him, or to our spirits?

Is it nice to have a clean home? Yes...but it's not a commandment, nor is it a prerequisite to having a day of rest. A clean house is nice but it should never come before our relationship with YHWH, and it shouldn't come at the cost of discouraging others from honoring the Sabbath. It really is both possible and permissible to have a day of rest, even if you don't have a day to dedicate to preparing for it. What if you just stopped to rest on the seventh day, even if the laundry wasn't done and the beds hadn't been made? What if we showed others that Shabbat keeping is doable even if you work full-time or juggle a hundred things each week?

Yes, keeping Shabbat calls for intention. But I think most of the time spent preparing should be working to keep ourselves free of other commitments on the Sabbath, not on having an immaculate house. There is no shame in eating simple foods like sandwiches, green salads, veggies with hummus, cheese and crackers, fruit, or other snack items that don't require prep work the day before. Don't forget that in Genesis 1, YHWH himself rests on the Sabbath day. Please note, he did not spend day six cleaning up his work from the rest of the week. He just rests. Give yourself and others permission to do the same. 

More on the Sabbath:
Why I'm Still Keeping the Sabbath
Tips for Resting on the Sabbath
Sabbath in the New Testament

Preparing Spiritually and Emotionally for Passover

With Passover, Unleavened Bread, and First Fruits coming up I think we should take a moment to talk about preparing spiritually for these set apart times.

Since Matzah Week calls for a cleaning out of the leaven in our homes it's easy to get focused on that, and end up neglecting emotional and spiritual care in the busyness. But the point of cleaning our homes serves as a picture of what we should be doing internally. Cleaning out the fridge or cupboard let's us find what has gone bad or gotten stale, so that we can remove it before it attracts bugs or spreads it's rottenness to anything else. To make room for something fresh and wonderful. Same thing with evaluating where we are emotionally and with our faith. Get rid of the bad stuff and make room for something better.

How can we do this? Take a few minutes to honestly assess where you are right now, where you came from, and where you would like to be. The Passover season brings us back to the Israelites leaving a place of less (Egypt) and journeying to the Promised Land. Where is YHWH inviting you to if you leave behind what you've settled for? What steps can you take to get there? This time is a celebration of freedom with slaves being set free and that the sacrifice of the Messiah makes this possible for us.

I also recommend reading the story of Exodus and the accounts of the Last Supper to see what jumps out at you. I have no doubt that YHWH has much to speak to you through these parts of Scripture. How does what he is saying fit with your own journey or what steps is he asking you to take to follow him more?

The following are a few simple questions for you to help evaluate yourself. The goal is just to be honest and say what your past year (or so, you can pick how long) was like, and what you're hoping for the upcoming year. You can also do this with your spouse or your family. Pray about the state of your spiritual and emotional health, and then come up with a few doable steps you can take for more positive change in your life. 

Questions to Evaluate Spiritual and Emotional Health:

How was this past year for you? What changes did you go through?

In what ways have you grown recently?

In what ways have you seen YHWH move or be faithful this past year?

Some of your favorite moments from the past year were:

What changes have you made in the past year for spiritual, physical, and emotional health?

Are there changes that YHWH is asking you to make now?

Is there an area you would like to be quicker to turn to prayer in?

The time you most often pray is:

Your favorite time to read Scripture is:

You feel closest to YHWH when:

How do you handle and cope with stress, anxiety, anger, sadness, etc.?

What are three things you do for self care?

What aspect of self care do you need to get better at?

Three things you do for joy are:

Verses you turn to for comfort include:

What are your goals and hopes for the upcoming year? Spiritual or otherwise.

I'm also including this link so you can download and print these questions, so you can contemplate them somewhere other than a device. Asking myself questions like these help me to to have a better sense of the path I have walked on and where I am headed. This is a special part of the Passover season, to remember our own personal exodus and to praise YHWH for the work he has done in our lives. I hope you find this a helpful way to prepare!

Related posts:
Six Things You Can Do Now to Get Ready for the Spring Feasts
The Beginner's Guide to Passover
Five Reasons Why Believers Should Keep Passover

Slow Cooker Meals for Shabbat

My menu inspiration has really changed from when I last shared meal ideas for the Sabbath day. When snow and ice and low temperatures are out in full force there's nothing like a warm meal for comfort. How do you serve a hot meal without cooking on Shabbat? One solution is to use a slow cooker. Depending on what you're making, you can start simmering your meal on Friday for Shabbat lunch. Soups and things with plenty of liquid work best for this. Otherwise, just toss your ingredients in the crock ahead of time and then keep it in the fridge. On the Sabbath day all you'll need to do is set the crock in the base to get it cooking. Meals don't get much easier than that. Utilizing a slow cooker to avoid working at meal preparation on Shabbat is a great way to honor the Sabbath day.

Crockpot Moroccan Soup from Half Baked Harvest

Slow Cooker Butternut Squash Risotto from Well Plated

White Chicken Chili from Well Plated

Crockpot Creamy Cashew Chicken from Half Baked Harvest
Make this vegetarian by swapping the chicken with extra potatoes, sweet potatoes, cauliflower, or chickpeas.

Slow Cooker Oatmeal from A Beautiful Plate

Slow Cooker Corn and Potato Soup from Healthy Nibbles and Bits

Slow Cooker Enchiladas from Oh My Veggies

Slow Cooker Smoky Refried Black Beans from Oh My Veggies
Serve these with the fixings for tostados or burritos. Tortillas, salsa, chopped peppers, lettuce, cheese, etc.

Slow Cooker Winter Minestrone Lentil Soup from A Beautiful Plate

Crockpot Mexican Casserole from Well Plated

Crockpot Salsa Verde Pozole from Half Baked Harvest

Slow Cooker Potato and Cauliflower Curry from Half Baked Harvest

Hopefully these meal ideas can help you to have a more restful Sabbath.

More on Sabbath meals:
The No Stress Guide to Sabbath Meal Prep

Make Ahead Shabbat Meals

Biblically Clean Salads to Make Ahead

20 Tips to Simplify Shabbat Prep

When I first started keeping Shabbat Fridays were a bit overwhelming. The afternoons were a flurry of getting things cleaned, and cooking up a huge amount of food, and, oh no, I need to run to the store. That was really frustrating to me, especially since I was used to Fridays being the happy weekend kick off of relaxation and free time. It felt a little backwards when it became my busiest day of the week. And that's because it takes practice to learn to rest well. If you're not used to preparing ahead of time for a day of no work, that honestly is a bit tricky until you're good at it. But things will get better! 

If you're in the stage where preparing for Shabbat is frustrating and overwhelming -- keep practicing! You will get there. With each week that goes by, preparing for the Sabbath gets easier. It's natural now to look ahead and anticipate what our needs will be on Shabbat, and planning for those needs is no longer the chore that it was. Here are a few tips that I've learned to have a less hectic day on Friday and more peace on Shabbat.

20 Tips for Simpler Shabbat Preparation

1. Prepare your heart first. Why have you decided to honor the Sabbath day? Did you feel the Holy Spirit leading you? Did you and your spouse decide to be obedient to YHWH's instructions? Have you decided to let go of traditions to try things the Savior's way? It's important to remind yourself of that when the week is hectic and you start to feel overwhelmed. 

2. Plan ahead. Almost everyone who participated in our Shabbat Survey mentioned how much easier things are to get done when you get a jump-start Thursday or Wednesday or even before. Having a plan can alleviate the stress of 'it's-Friday-afternoon-and-I'm-not-ready.' Having even just one thing done going into Friday makes things feel much more under control. Maybe that's getting groceries on Monday, jotting down a to do list, or filling up on gas after work on Thursday.

3. Make note of anything that needs done before Shabbat. If you are a list writer, jot down what for sure needs done ahead of time. Not just meal prep for the Sabbath, also consider upcoming bills that need paid or library books to be returned. Are you low on diapers or medication? Will you need to get gas so you can make it to congregation? Having it written down means we are more likely to remember it.

4. Recognize that things don't need to be elaborate. YHWH does not require us to have spotless homes, four course dinners, or candles lit to welcome Shabbat, so feel free to simplify! If there is one specific thing that helps you to rest well, focus on that and let go of the others.

5. Have a go to Shabbat meal on hand. Despite our best plans and intentions there are going to be times that things get away from us. Having non-perishables or slow to perish items on hand to serve keeps us from violating Shabbat when that happens. Here are some ideas for stocking your pantry for Shabbat prep.

6. Learn to rest when everything isn't perfect.  We are not asked to have everything in order or all our to-do list items checked off before Shabbat. Make rest the goal, instead of a spotless home or traditional rituals. Simplifying our expectations allows us to enjoy the simple things instead of obsessing over how things could be in a perfect world.

7. Know some quick last minute snacks to prepare. It takes just a minute to blend up some yogurt and fruit and pour it into a popsicle mold for a great snack the next day. The same for kosher gelatin. Most of those recipes are just letting them chill. These recipes are great to turn to when Shabbat is closing in and the fridge is less than filled.

8. Divide tasks among family members. You don't have to do this by yourself. Assign appropriate tasks for each person in your household to have done by the end of the week. Everyone in the family can have different cleanup jobs, dad can be in charge of grilling for dinner or picking up pizza, and a younger child can pick out which Bible story to read on Shabbat.

9. Figure out what works for you. I have seen several lists of how to get ready for Shabbat, and they are mostly things that would not fit in my life at all. Setting the dining room table for Shabbat dinner the Sunday before? Mine gets used for projects all week long, so that's out. Taking Friday afternoon off? Not usually an option. But if that helps you get ready, then go for it! There is not a right or wrong way to prepare for a day off; decide what works in your schedule and go from there.

10. Log off digitally before Shabbat. Signing out of social media lessens distractions on preparation day, making it easier to get the menial tasks out of the way and to spiritually prepare ourselves. Switching your email to 'off' after work on Friday can become a habit that says, "time to get ready for Shabbat."

11. Grill for Friday evening dinner. You've spent the day scrubbing the dishes and cleaning house. What's more frustrating than kicking off Shabbat with a sink load of dirty pots and pans? Grilling part of your meal can cut down on things to clean up afterwards.

12. Use glass, Pyrex type containers. Having my Shabbat foods stored in glass, oven-proof containers makes things easier in a couple of ways. These can double as serving dishes and go into the oven for foods I am reheating. After our meal I can put the lid back on and store it, without any extra cleanup. 

13. Have a special Sabbath basket for kids. Fill it with Shabbat appropriate books, games, and movies so that children can learn which activities are appropriate for the set apart day. This can also make the day more restful to you, as bored children can be sent to the basket to find something to do.

14. Surround yourself with reminders. Write in your planner, put a Scripture on the importance of honoring Shabbat on your bathroom mirror, or schedule reminders in your phone. This brings to mind that Shabbat is coming and we are to be ready for it.

15. Have a potluck meal. If you know like-minded believers or are involved in a congregation consider hosting a covered dish meal on Shabbat. It is much easier to prepare one or two things for a group meal than to do each thing yourself.

16. Empty the dishwasher. I like to have my dishwasher emptied going into the set apart day so that dirty dishes can be placed inside the next day. Another idea would be using paper products to cut down on cleanup.

17. Use a slow cooker and consider a second one. It's hard to get much more convenient than coming home from congregation to a hot meal at the ready, where you have nothing to do but dish it up. I've also heard a couple of people say they like having two so they can have a hot breakfast, and lunch, or lunch, and dinner ready to go.

18. Double recipes throughout the week. This is a great way to have food prepared ahead of time without the extra time commitment of setting aside Thursday evening or Friday afternoon. Make an extra large pot of soup on Tuesday or grill extra chicken Thursday to get a jump start on meals for the Sabbath.

19. Have books and study materials on hand. In addition to copies of Scripture, consider expanding your resource library to assist with your studies on Shabbat. A designated shelf of books can be a place to head on the rest day when you are looking for something to do or want to learn more. This is especially important if you don't attend a congregation. It eliminates the what am I going to do tomorrow question.

20. Remember you don't have to get everything done! When Shabbat comes what's done is done and that's enough. Things can wait. It really is okay to rest while the kitchen is messy and the laundry isn't done, in fact YHWH requires us to. Rest now and take care of the what remains later.

Related posts:
Sabbath Prep and the Idol of Cleanliness
The No Stress Guide to Sabbath Meals
Five Ways to Have a More Peaceful Sabbath

Sabbath Was Made For You

I'm looking forward to the Sabbath, but I've got a fair amount of things to do before then because, honestly, taking a day of rest can be a lot of work. It takes thought and preparation to arrive at the seventh day with your immediate needs provided for. Making sure your fridge is stocked, the clothes you need for the day are washed, and clearing your schedule is work. It's easy for Friday afternoons to become a whirlwind of stress and the the frantic pace of trying to get everything done. The to-do list overflows into the seventh day and many of us find ourselves working to get everything done, even on the Sabbath. When you're striving for perfection it's easy to enter Shabbat feeling exhausted and anxious.

However, this is not what our Creator had in mind when he gave us the joy of a day of rest. Sabbath is not a reward for checking off our to-do list. He does not say to rest if we have everything done.

He just says to rest.

The first Sabbath we see in Scripture was taken by YHWH himself.


On the sixth day YHWH ended his work that he had made; and rested on the seventh day from all his work that he he made. -Genesis 2:2

I find it interesting that YHWH still had quite a bit of things to do. In six days he formed most of Creation, but he had yet to make Adam and Eve. We can look further into his schedule to know that he would be making clothes for them very soon, and that he needed to give Noah instructions for the ark, break down the tower of Babel, appear to Abraham, free the Israelites from slavery, give them Torah, guide them as the pillar of cloud/fire, speak through the prophets, send Yahsuha into the world, and on and on. YHWH wasn't resting because he was finished working.

I think we have certain expectations for what a day of rest looks like: sunny and peaceful, delcious meals waiting for us in the fridge, a pristine home, and the to-do list so checked off that not a single chore crosses our minds.

While that sounds lovely we are going to become frustrated and disappointed if we look at Shabbat as something we do once we've completed all our work. No matter how much you've accomplished this week there will be plenty to do next.

Sabbath rest is not negotiable. It's not a reward for getting everything done. We don't rest because we have finished working. We rest so that we can keep working.

It's okay to rest even if the kitchen is a mess. It's okay to rest even if you have a big paper due on Monday. It's okay to rest when there remains work to be done.

"The Shabbat was made for man, and not man for Shabbat." -Mark 2:27

In other words - Shabbat was made for you to rest, not for you to get everything perfect for. The Messiah's statement here reminds us that there aren't complicated rules to the Sabbath. He does not require that we light candles or bake challah bread. He does not ask that our homes be immaculate or that everything be in order. He tells us that he made Shabbat for us so that we could rest, no matter how hectic the rest of the week was or will be.

"Six days you shall labor, and do all your work: but the seventh day is the Shabbat of YHWH your Elohim." -Exodus 20:9-10

This Shabbat give yourself permission to rest. Even if there's still stuff to do. Even if you don't' feel ready. Give yourself permission because YHWH does.

More on the Sabbath:
Six Reasons Believers Should Keep the Sabbath
Why I'm Still Keeping the Sabbath
What to Do on the Sabbath

Preparing for Passover

Passover is coming up soon! While all of the feasts of YHWH are significant Passover has a special place of importance for believers in the Messiah as it beautifully parallels his life and sacrifice.

My first Passover was when I was 15. While YHWH's feasts are not hard to celebrate if you have never experienced them before it can be a little daunting! I can tell you from experience that each time I celebrate Passover it comes more naturally and the meaning goes deeper in me. Whether you are new to Passover or not, here is some information to keep in mind as you prepare yourself and your home for Passover, Unleavened Bread, and First Fruits.

What?
Passover or Pesach commemorates the miraculous rescue of the Israelites from their slavery in Egypt, found in Exodus 1-15. On a deeper level this story speaks volumes on the blood of Yahusha and his salvation, with Passover being the exact day the Messiah was killed because of our transgressions. Passover is one day and it is immediately followed by the Feast of Unleavened Bread or Matzah Week.

When?
Passover falls on the Biblical date of Aviv 14. Since our modern calendar doesn't perfectly mesh up with the Biblical one, the date varies by year, but is normally in late March to early April. Immediately following Passover beings the Feast of Unleavened Bread, also known as the Feast of Matzah, which lasts for seven days. Yep, eight consecutive days of celebration!

Where?
At your house! There are special instructions for our homes during Passover and the Feast of Matzah.

Why?
Exodus 12:1-24 and Leviticus 23:5-8.

What does this mean for me?

No work days. YHWH is a fan of mandatory vacation! The Passover season gives us two days where work is prohibited - the day right after Passover, the first day of Unleavened Bread, and the second on the last day of Unleavened Bread. We should make plans to have time off from our jobs those days, as well as plan ahead to avoid cooking and housework. I believe this is an intentional instruction to free us up from the distractions that would keep our minds off these special days. More about what a no-work day is here.

Get the leaven out of your house. We are instructed to remove it from our homes and to avoid eating it during the Feast of Unleavened Bread in Exodus 12:19, so we have some Spring cleaning to do. Scripture simply says to remove leaven from your home. The first place to start is by removing yeast and leavened bread from your fridge and pantry. You can use these in the next few weeks and what you can't use can be donated to a soup kitchen. You can learn more about this here. While most of the leaven in our homes is found in the cupboard or refrigerator there can also be some in the form of bread crumbs on the floor or couch, etc. Cleaning our homes and searching out the hidden leaven has obvious spiritual application of searching for sin in us and removing it.

Get the leaven out of your heart. Spend some time prayerfully examining yourself and lifestyle. Does it line up with Scripture? Ask YHWH to help you make changes to honor him with your life. More about spiritual preparation for Passover here.

You'll need matzah. While this doesn't have to be the only thing that you eat, you should eat it some each day - it is called the Feast of Unleavened Bread for a reason. If you plan to purchase it, you'll want to make sure the box reads 'Kosher for Passover,' depending on where you live this might not be easy to find. You can order it online or find a recipe to make your own.

Make plans for a meal. Often called Seder (pronounced say-der), this is the meal of Passover; the meal Yahusha shared with his disciples as his last supper. I like to describe Seder as the Gospel in seven courses. In traditional Seders there is a lengthy meal with many blessings and Scriptures spoken, the story of the Exodus is read, and the foods eaten have rich meaning. It by no means needs to be fancy or complicated and hosting your own is totally doable! You can also search online for a Hebrew Seder meal you can attend online or in person. If you're making plans to have your own at home, see this post.

Celebrate. This is a holiday so make plans to act like it! Put up decorations, find leaven free recipes to try, make crafts with your kids, invite friends over for a special dinner with unleavened bread, watch the Ten Commandments movie, read the story of Passover in Scripture, as well as the Messiah's last supper. The thing that makes these days special is treating them that way. If you need ideas check out these ideas for the Biblical holidays.

More about Passover:
How to Host a Passover Seder
Meal Ideas for the Feast of Unleavened Bread
Passover Bucket List
Things the Messiah Said at Passover