- Wake up early to prepare for Shabbos immediately after Shacharis. If you usually learn a certain amount after Shacharis or you are part of a Torah learning group, do not skip the learning. (ShA1 –MB1)
- If there will be no more Shabbos food to buy after your learning session, go beforehand. You can even go to buy before Shacharis if need be – just make sure to say Krias Shema before you go. (MB1)
- When should you buy Shabbos food, on Thursday or Friday? It’s best to buy on Friday since it is more evident that your intention is for the honor of Shabbos. Especially if the tastier food is only available on Friday. However, if Friday is short or the food needs a lot of preparation, buy it on Thursday. (MB2)
- Even though you prepared already in the morning, it is a mitzva to prepare something else also towards dark. (MB2)
- If you find some nice food – even on Sunday – save it for Shabbos, especially if it is not commonly available to buy. (MB2)
- When you buy something for Shabbos, say “zehu lichvod Shabbos”. Your speech adds kedusha. (MB2)
- There is a mitzva to run to do any mitzva even if you are not in a rush. (BeH “yashkim”)
- There is a mitzva to taste each dish to see how to make it tastier. Some poskim indicate that the tasting itself is a mitzva. (MB2 – ShaH8)
- It is an honor for Shabbos to do chores before its arrival. Even if you are an important person, do some chores yourself as it is a greater mitzva than having them done by your servants or other messengers. Here are some examples:
Dice vegetables, chop wood, light fire, arrange Shabbos dishes, remove weekday tools, cook, salt the meat, make wicks, sharpen the knife, and shop for groceries. (ShA1 – MB3 – BeH “yishtadale”)
- Do teshuva every erev Shabbos as a spiritual preparation. (MB3)
- Sweep, dust, remove cobwebs and spread couches as if a royal guest is coming. (MB3)
- When time is running short on Friday and there is still much to do, there is an obligation on every person to get involved with all his might, so there will not be any chillul Shabbos. (MB4)
- Have a lot of meat, wine and delicacies as much as you are able. (ShA2)