Oneg Shabbat (עונג שבת, pronounced OH-neg shah-BAHT or OY-neg SHA-boss) is a Hebrew term that literally means “delight of the Sabbath.”

The prophet Isaiah instructs the people to “call the Sabbath a delight.”1

So making Shabbat a day of pleasure is a mitzvah. This includes enjoying special foods (see: Do I Have to Eat Meat on Shabbat?), wearing nice clothes, resting (see: Why Nap on Shabbat Afternoon?), studying Torah, and spending joyful time with family.

In modern usage, oneg Shabbat—or even just oneg—commonly refers to a social gathering held after the Friday night synagogue service.

A typical oneg Shabbat program includes good food (starting with kiddush and challah unless it’s held after Shabbat dinner), Shabbat songs (zemirot), socializing, and meaningful entertainment that can range from a good Hasidic story to a devar Torah (homily).