The Family Shabbat Table

Probably two of the most critical problems in the observant Jewish home today are off-the derech kids and marital discord.

A joyous family Shabbat table solves both problems.

You'll seldom see an off-the-derech child in a home where mitzvoth - especially Shabbat - are observed with joy. When the Shabbat table has something to offer for every member of the family, with fun, action, and the families favorite delicacies, then no one's running away from the table.

Among other things, sing plenty of zemirot and encourage the children to lead. Turn Torah talk about the week's Torah portion into family discussions. Create and initiate games and quizzes. And, tell exciting stories, especially about tzaddikim.

The Shabbat table should be something that the whole family looks forward to all week long.

By the way - I've never seen a divorce in a family where the mother bakes her own challas.

To help you come to the Shabbat table with something to say, here's Chut Shel Chessed's weekly Parsha Sheet, now in English. 

To help you learn a vibrant Yerushalmi version of Shalom Aleichem, here's a clip of my cherished friend Yosef Karduner and I. Have a wonderful and joy-filled Shabbat!