The Jewish Sabbath is from Friday sundown until Saturday after twilight. Its origin is in the Torah (Genesis ch.2, Leviticus ch.23, Exodus ch.20 and many other passages).
The Sabbath is considered in the Jewish religion to be a day blessed by God (Genesis ch.2), a day of rest (Exodus ch.20, ch.31), and a day of strengthening ties with the family, the community, and with God.
Here is further background information:
There are two main aspects to Shabbat observance: what we do and what we don't do.
What we don't do: we're not permitted to work on the Shabbat (Exodus ch.20). This includes 39 categories of productive interaction with the world, such as planting, writing, kindling fire, etc. (Talmud, Shabbat 73b).
What we do: candles are lit, customarily by the lady of the household, around 20 minutes before sunset on Friday afternoon. We then attend synagogue for the Friday afternoon prayer (mincha), the kabbalat Shabbat (ushering in of the Shabbat), and the Shabbat evening prayer (maariv).
On Shabbat morning, we again attend synagogue. The services are longer than on weekdays and include prayers as well as reading the weekly Torah-portion. There's often a kiddush (refreshments) afterwards, and congregants have a chance to schmooze (to talk). Towards the late afternoon, there's another (short) service (Shabbat mincha).
After Friday night services and on Shabbat morning after services, we come home, often with guests, make kiddush (blessing over wine), and have a leisurely multi-course Shabbat meal including singing and words of Torah. Customarily, that week's Torah-reading (parsha) will be a topic of conversation; and the children of the family will have a chance to speak of what they've learned in school.
After that, Shabbat is a quiet time: no phones, radio or TV (etc.), just schmoozing, taking walks, visiting friends, reading, learning Torah, playing Board Games, etc. Husband and wife, in particular, finally have a chance to be together after a hectic week.
The Shabbat is observed by all Jews, both men and women. However, it is the women who traditionally light the Shabbat-candles.See also:Women and the lighting of the candles
All Jews; at least those who maintain their tradition.
Planning for Shabbat can be very exhausting, and no one can do it alone.
Shabbat is the 7th day of the week, which is Saturday. All Jewish holidays start at sunset, so Shabbat starts on every Friday night and ends at Saturday night.
The Shabbat is observed by all Jews, both men and women. However, it is the women who traditionally light the Shabbat-candles. See also the Related Links.Link: Why do women light the Shabbat candles?Link: Women and the lighting of the candles
The same way Jews in all other countries do.
The Shabbat is observed by all Jews, both men and women. However, it is the women who traditionally light the Shabbat-candles.
They prepare their children for Shabbat and light the Shabbat candles.
"Shabbat Shalom!"
They're called Shabbat candles (Neirot Shabbat in Hebrew).
After Shabbat, there is the Havdalah service.
Shabbat Shabbatot