The Shulchan Aruch (Siman 250) teaches to rise early on Friday to prepare the needs of Shabbos, and to put one's own hand to the work even if one has servants — after the example of the great Amoraim (Shabbos 119a) — for that precisely is a person's honor: to honor Shabbos.
One multiplies meat, wine and delicacies according to one's means (כפי יכלתו). For a concrete case, ask your Rav.
On Friday, one rises early (השכמה) to prepare for Shabbos, and one takes part personally in the preparations — even if one has help. The Mechaber proves it by example: the greatest Amoraim chopped the vegetables, split the wood, lit the fire (Shabbos 119a). Refusing by saying "this is beneath me" is a mistake: that is the true dignity. One multiplies meat, wine and delicacies according to one's means. For a concrete case — ask your Rav.
Who prepares Shabbos in the home — the head of the household, or only those who help him? The Shulchan Aruch answers in a radical way, in Siman 250 of Hilchos Shabbos (Orach Chaim): even with servants, one puts one's own hand to the work. This siman directly continues the previous one (the rules of Friday) and poses the concrete question of preparing the meals.
What does the Shulchan Aruch say in Siman 250?
The Mechaber (Rabbi Yosef Karo) opens the siman thus:
יַשְׁכִּים בַּבֹּקֶר בְּיוֹם הַשִּׁשִּׁי לְהָכִין צָרְכֵי שַׁבָּת. וַאֲפִלּוּ יֵשׁ לוֹ כַּמָּה עֲבָדִים לְשַׁמְּשׁוֹ — יִשְׁתַּדֵּל לְהָכִין בְּעַצְמוֹ שׁוּם דָּבָר לְצָרְכֵי שַׁבָּת כְּדֵי לְכַבְּדוֹ.
"Let one rise early on the morning of the sixth day to prepare the needs of Shabbos. And even if one has several servants to serve, let one make the effort to prepare something oneself for the needs of Shabbos, in order to honor it."
Two ideas in the very first line: zeal (rising early) and personal participation (doing it oneself). Let us look at them.
The key concepts, explained
1. השכמה — the zeal of the morning
Rising early on Friday to prepare for Shabbos is no mere matter of logistics: zeal expresses the importance one gives the day. One does not put off the preparation to the last minute — one sets to it from the morning.
2. Personal participation — the example of the Amoraim
The Mechaber proves the rule by the example of the greatest sages (Shabbos 119a): Rav Chisda chopped the vegetables very finely, Rabbah and Rav Yosef split the wood, Rabbi Zeira lit the fire, Rav Nachman tidied the house. If they did it, every person will learn from them.
3. This is the dignity (כבוד)
The Mechaber settles the objection before it arises: let one not say "I will not lower my dignity" (לא אפגום כבודי) — because that precisely is his dignity, that he honors Shabbos. Physical engagement in the preparations is the honor.
Multiplying the delicacies — seif ב
The second seif is brief but structuring:
יַרְבֶּה בְּבָשָׂר וְיַיִן וּמַגְדָּנוֹת כְּפִי יְכָלְתּוֹ.
"Let him multiply in meat, wine and delicacies (migdanos) according to his means."
Three categories — meat (בשר), wine (יין), delicacies (מגדנות: sweets, fine fruits) — and a single measure: כפי יכלתו, "according to his means." No fixed minimum, no maximum: each honors Shabbos to his own ability.
The Rema's nuance
The Rema (Rabbi Moshe Isserles) adds a concrete detail: it is fitting to sharpen the knife on Friday, "for that is part of the honor of Shabbos — that one prepares oneself to eat." A tiny gesture, but one that embodies the whole logic of the siman: material preparation is already an act of honor.
The seifim and the example of the Amoraim (Shabbos 119a)
| Sage | Activity | What it expresses |
|---|---|---|
| Rav Chisda | Chopped the vegetables very finely (דק דק) | Care for detail as a measure of love for Shabbos |
| Rabbah & Rav Yosef | Split the wood | The most physical labor, taken on by the greatest |
| Rabbi Zeira | Lit the fire | The light, the beginning of the process |
| Rav Nachman | Tidied the house, brought out the Shabbos vessels | Materially distinguishing Shabbos from the week |
Application to Friday today
We see why this siman speaks to everyone:
- The preparation is not wholly delegable: even when entrusting the cooking, putting one's own hand to a dish, setting the table, preparing the candles — that is taking part in the honor of the day.
- The zeal of the morning translates into preparing ahead of time, so as not to enter Shabbos exhausted and late.
- "According to one's means" both relieves and holds responsible: no one is bound beyond his ability, but each is called to give his best to his own measure.
Several contemporary authorities rely on this framework to encourage personal participation in the preparations — with nuances depending on customs and family situations.
This article presents what the source says for the purpose of study. It does not rule on any practical case. To apply these principles to your home and your situation — ask your Rav.
Frequently asked questions
Should one prepare the Shabbos meal oneself even if one has help?
Siman 250 teaches that, even with several servants, one makes the effort to prepare something oneself for Shabbos, after the example of the Amoraim. One does not say "this is beneath me": that precisely is a person's honor, to honor Shabbos. For practice, ask your Rav.
Why rise early on Friday (hashkamah)?
The Mechaber teaches to rise early on the sixth day to prepare the needs of Shabbos: zeal expresses the importance of the day. The Rema adds that it is fitting to sharpen the knife on Friday, since that is part of the honor of Shabbos.
What should be multiplied for the Shabbos meal?
The second seif says: "let him multiply in meat, wine and delicacies according to his means" (כפי יכלתו). No imposed minimum or maximum: each honors Shabbos to his ability, through the quality and abundance of the table.
Study Siman 250 in depth
Four levels, from beginner to talmid chacham — Hebrew text, translation, pilpul and the shitah of the Admur HaZaken.