ABSTRACT
In the Jewish tradition, a number of Sabbaths are of importance in the Jewish calendar. Three are linked to the beginning of a month: Shabbat Mevarekhim; Shabbat Mahar Hodesh; and Shabbat Rosh Hodesh. In the Sabbath service which falls on the New Moon the Hallel is recited after the morning service; in the additional service Amidah, the Attah Yatsarta sequence replaces Tikkanta Shabbat. In the service for Shabbat Hol Hamoed which occurs during the intermediate days of Sukkot, the Hallel and the book of Ecclesiastes are read after the morning service. Shabbat Hanukkah takes place during the Hanukkah festival. During the Sabbath service before Yom Ha-Atzmaut, Jews celebrate the renewal of Jewish life in Israel: Today people turn their thoughts to the land of Israel. Torah normally provides a festival meal to which all are invited after the Sabbath morning service.
