Shabbat
Shabbat
The Shabbat is the Jewish day of rest, and observing the Shabbat is a mitzvah (commandment) and is found within the 10 commandments.
‘Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy’
(Exodus, 20:8, NRSV).
Shabbat begins just before nightfall on a Friday and lasts for 25 hours. Shabbat is observed as a way to mark belief in the story of Creation, and to rest on the seventh day just as G-d did. This highlights the Jewish theology of Imitatio Dei, or the imitation of G-d. Imitatio Dei is the belief that as the book of Genesis explains humans to be made in the image of G-d, humans are to imitate G-d. This does not mean humans should impersonate G-d. Imitatio Dei means humans should behave like G-d by imitating the actions of G-d, such as being all loving. As such, resting on the Sabbath is a way to imitate the actions of G-d.
The Covenant
‘Remember you were a salve in the land of Egypt, and the Lord your God brought you out from there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm; therefore the Lord your God commanded you to keep the sabbath day’
(Deuteronomy, 5:15, NRSV)
The book of Exodus, chapters 1-18 detail the story of the Israelites and Moses in Egypt before Moses has an encounter with G-d on Mount Sinai and is given the commandments. The first part of Exodus tells the story of how the Israelites were enslaved by the Pharaoh, or King of Egypt, and were brutally beaten into forced labour. You may be familiar with the story of the birth of Moses, and how, in order to save his life, his mother placed him in a basket on the river. Watch the video below which outlines this first part of the book of Exodus:
Exodus therefore tells the story of the covenant made between G-d and the Israelites. A covenant is an agreement or promise made between G-d and, and in this case, the Israelites. A covenant was made between G-d and Abraham in the book of Genesis whereby G-d promised to look after Abraham’s people. Freeing the salves from Egypt is thought of as G-d holding up this promise. Therefore, G-d made a renewed covenant with Moses on Mount Sinai, where Moses promised to uphold the commandments and the Torah that were given to him.
Exodus chapter 31, verses 12-17 detail the law of the Sabbath.
‘Therefore the Israelites shall keep the sabbath, observing the sabbath throughout their generations, as a perpetual covenant’
(Exodus, 31:16, NRSV)
Observing the sabbath, therefore, is also a reminder of the covenant made between G-d and the Israelites.
You can read more about the importance of the sabbath at the link here: https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/shabbat-themes-and-theology/
The Shabbat
How the Shabbat is observed depends on many different things, such as which denomination of Judaism an individual belongs to and where in the world they live; with some countries, such as Israel, being easier to observe the shabbat than in the UK for example. There are a number of rules outlined to be followed during Shabbat, but of course, if and how these are followed differs for each individual family.
Research
Research some of the laws that might be observed on shabbat. How might these be observed differently for different Jewish traditions?
Typically on Shabbat, a family will come together to welcome the Shabbat and eat a meal together. Usually, this food is prepared in advance as once Shabbat begins, some families will observe the rules of not cooking. Two candles are placed on the table to represent the two commandments Moses received from G-d to remember and observe the sabbath day. A challah loaf is also placed on the table, symbolising the food G-d gave to the Israelites as they wondered through the desert. The two candles will be lit and a blessing recited to welcome the shabbat. After sunset on Saturday evening, Havdalah marks the end of shabbat, and G-d is thanked for all that has been provided.
Reflection
Do you observe a period of rest in the week in your own life? If you do, why is this important to you?
How might rest and reflection support a connection, either with yourself, others, or the divine?
Yom Kippur is an important Jewish festival that takes place in September or October time. In 2022, Yom Kippur begins on 4th October and ends of 5th October. Yom Kippur is a day of atonement.
