Have you ever Googled “how to do Shabbat” and immediately felt overwhelmed by all the traditions and rituals you “should” be doing? Candles, prayers, no phones, 12 different side dishes… it’s no wonder it can feel like a recipe for panic instead of peace. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. But here’s the good news: you don’t need to get it perfect to begin. In fact, starting small is the best way to build a Shabbat practice that feels meaningful and sustainable. In this video, I’m walking you through the first, simple steps to create a Shabbat routine that nourishes both your body and soul—without burnout.
Whether you’re new to Judaism or navigating the conversion process, Shabbat is meant to be a time of peace and connection, not stress. So let’s set aside the pressure for a moment and talk about how to start your own Shabbat practice, one step at a time. And hey, no gourmet meals or elaborate rituals required. If you’re ready to build a meaningful Friday night tradition that works for you, watch the video (or read the transcript) below. And sign up for the mailing list to get your free “Shabbat Menu” to help you make it happen!
Transcript below.
Transcript:
If you’ve ever Googled “how to do Shabbat” and immediately panicked, this video is for you.
A lot of people try to do all the things right away.
Candles, prayers, no phone, 12 side dishes.
And then wonder why you wanna have a panic attack.
This video is your permission to start small.
Hi, I’m Kochava, a Jewish convert and the person behind Building a Jewish Life.com. I help people navigate the conversion process,
and find clarity, courage, and community along the way.
I’ll walk you through creating a Friday night routine
that feels special, doable, and nourishing – body and soul.
Because building a Jewish life isn’t about perfection.
It’s about finding your rhythm one step at a time.
The first step is making Friday night feel different.
You don’t need an elaborate ritual or hours of preparation.
I suggest starting with just three things.
One ritual, one change to your dinner, and one thing that creates a Shabbat atmosphere.
That’s a solid foundation to build on over time.
I am gonna give you a really simple version of that next,
but there are a lot more options.
I created a Shabbat menu around these options
that you can get for free if you sign up for my mailing list at Building a Jewish Life.com.
It’s a mix and match guide to help you choose one ritual, one meal change, and one atmosphere change.
No burnout required.
The three most basic things I’m gonna suggest for you to do is: one, to light candles.
Two, make your dinner a little fancier somehow.
And three, turn off your phone for some amount of time.
Maybe the duration of dinner.
This might seem small, but it’s the foundation for everything else.
That first Shabbat dinner isn’t about perfect blessings or a gourmet meal.
The point is creating space.
Physically with the candles and mentally with the lack of distractions.
What you’re doing is building a habit of separation,
not from people, but from the noise of everyday life.
Once this becomes second nature, you’ll be ready to expand the ritual.
But for now, focus on mastering the art of one uninterrupted meal.
Everything else will follow.
Jewish tradition calls Shabbat “a taste of the world to come.”
But that doesn’t mean you need to experience the entire feast immediately.
Remember, every meaningful practice started with someone’s really awkward beginning.
Your version of Shabbat doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s to matter.
Starting is brave.
And every step brings you closer to something truly meaningful. The rest will come in time. Shabbat Shalom.
