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'''Shabbat''', or '''Shabbos''', is a day of rest that is observed once a ], on ], by practitioners of ], as well as by many ] ]s. '''Shabbat''', or '''Shabbos''' (]c pronunciation), is a day of rest that is observed once a ], on ], by practitioners of ], as well as by many ] ]s.


== Etymology == == Etymology ==
⚫ The ] word ''Shabbat'' is best translated as "period of rest", and is the basis of the English words "]" and "]". (A common linguistic confusion leads many to believe that the word means "seventh day". Though the root for seven, or ''sheva' '', is similar in sound, it is spelled differently.

⚫ The ] word ''Shabbat'' is best translated as "period of rest", and is the basis of the English words "]" and "]". (A common linguistic confusion leads many to believe that the word means "seventh day". Though the root for seven, or sheva', is similar in sound, it is spelled differently. ] Jews will also pronounce the word differently, add a pharyngial fricative at the end of sheva'.)


== Shabbat in other religions == == Shabbat in other religions ==
⚫ ]s are also observed in other religions: the weekly day of rest of ] is on ]. ] has a day of rest of Friday that is derived from the Shabbat-concept.

⚫ A form of Shabbat is also observed in ] as the ]. Islam has a day of rest of Friday that is based on Shabbat.


== Definition == == Definition ==

Observance of Shabbat is mentioned a number of times in the ], most notably as the fourth of the ] (] 20:8-11 and ] 5:12-15). Other instances are ] 31:12-17 and 35:2-3, ] 19:3 and 30, 23:3 and 28:9-10 (the sacrifices). It is referred to directly by the prophets ] (56:4,6) and ] (ch. 20, 22, 23) and ] 9:14, apart from numerous other allusions in ]. Observance of Shabbat is mentioned a number of times in the ], most notably as the fourth of the ] (] 20:8-11 and ] 5:12-15). Other instances are ] 31:12-17 and 35:2-3, ] 19:3 and 30, 23:3 and 28:9-10 (the sacrifices). It is referred to directly by the prophets ] (56:4,6) and ] (ch. 20, 22, 23) and ] 9:14, apart from numerous other allusions in ].


] defines one day ending at nightfall, which is when the next day then begins. Thus, Shabbat begins at sundown ] night and ends at nightfall Saturday night. The added time between sunset and nightfall on Saturday night owes to the ambiguous nature of that part of the day according to Jewish law. ] defines one day ending at nightfall, which is when the next day then begins. Thus, Shabbat begins at sundown ] night and ends at nightfall Saturday night. The added time between sunset and nightfall on Saturday night owes to the ambiguous nature of that part of the day according to Jewish law.


On occasions the word ''Shabbat'' can refer to the law of ] or to the holidays. On occasions the word ''Shabbat'' can refer to the law of ] or to the holidays, dependant on the context.


== Status as a holiday == == Status as a holiday ==

While the Sabbath is not considered a ] by many other cultures and religions, Judaism accords Shabbat the status of a joyous holiday. While the Sabbath is not considered a ] by many other cultures and religions, Judaism accords Shabbat the status of a joyous holiday.
In many ways, ] (Jewish law) gives Shabbat the status of being the most imporant holy day in the Jewish calendar. In many ways, ] (Jewish law) gives Shabbat the status of being the most imporant holy day in the Jewish calendar.
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*The ] treats the Sabbath as a bride and queen. *The ] treats the Sabbath as a bride and queen.
*The ] reading for the Sabbath has more aliyot (sections of the Torah sung aloud) than does ], which in turn contains the most of any regular Jewish holiday. *The ] reading for the Sabbath has more aliyot (sections of the Torah sung aloud) than does ], which in turn contains the most of any regular Jewish holiday.
*There is a tradition that the ] will come if every Jew observes the Shabbat twice in a row. *There is a tradition that the ] will come if every Jew observes the Shabbat twice in a row (Talmud, tractate Shabbat 118).
*The Biblical penalty for violating Shabbat is greater than that for violating any other holiday. *The Biblical penalty for violating Shabbat is greater than that for violating any other holiday.


== Purpose == == Purpose ==

The ] (Hebrew Bible) and the ] (Jewish prayer book) describe Shabbat as having two purposes: The ] (Hebrew Bible) and the ] (Jewish prayer book) describe Shabbat as having two purposes:
*A commemoration of the Israelites' redemption from slavery in ]; *A commemoration of the Israelites' redemption from slavery in ];
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Although most Shabbat laws are restrictive (see below), the fourth ] in ] is taken by the ] to allude to the ''positive'' aspects of the Shabbat. These include: Although most Shabbat laws are restrictive (see below), the fourth ] in ] is taken by the ] to allude to the ''positive'' aspects of the Shabbat. These include:
* Recitation of ''Kiddush'' over a cup of wine in the evening and the morning, emphasizing the holiness of the day (see '']''); * Recitation of ''Kiddush'' over a cup of wine in the evening and the morning, emphasizing the holiness of the day (see '']'');
* Three joyful meals that minimally include ] (the traditional ''challah'' loaves) and meat (according to traditional views). * Three joyful meals that minimally include ] (the traditional ''challah'' loaves) and meat (according to most traditional views).
* ] study (see below); * ] study (see below);


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== Prohibited activities == == Prohibited activities ==

Jewish law prohibits Jewish people from doing any form of ''melachah'' ("work", plural "melachot") on Shabbat. ''Melacha'' does not closely correspond to the ] definition of the term "work", nor does it correspond to the definition of the term as used in ]. Rather, it refers to the 39 categories of activity that the ] prohibits Jews from engaging in on Shabbat. Many religious scholars have pointed out that these labors have something in common -- they prohibit any activity that is ], or that exercises control or dominion over one's ]. Jewish law prohibits Jewish people from doing any form of ''melachah'' ("work", plural "melachot") on Shabbat. ''Melacha'' does not closely correspond to the ] definition of the term "work", nor does it correspond to the definition of the term as used in ]. Rather, it refers to the 39 categories of activity that the ] prohibits Jews from engaging in on Shabbat. Many religious scholars have pointed out that these labors have something in common -- they prohibit any activity that is ], or that exercises control or dominion over one's ].


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== Observance == == Observance ==
⚫ Shabbat is a day of celebration as well as one of ]. Three festive meals are eaten each Shabbat: on Friday night, Saturday afternoon, and early Saturday evening before the conclusion of the Shabbat. All Jews are encouraged to attend ] during Shabbat, even if they would not normally do so on weekdays.


⚫ With the exception of Yom Kippur, ] are postponed for a day if they coincide with Shabbat, and mourners sitting ] conduct themselves normally for the duration of the day and are indeed forbidden to express public signs of mourning.
⚫ Shabbat is a day of celebration as well as one of ]. Three festive meals are eaten each Shabbat: on Friday night, Saturday afternoon, and early Saturday evening before the conclusion of the Shabbat. All Jews are encouraged to attend ] at least once during Shabbat.

⚫ With the exception of Yom Kippur, ] are postponed for a day if they coincide with Shabbat, and mourners sitting ] conduct themselves normally for the duration of the day.


== Permitted activities == == Permitted activities ==

The following activities are encouraged on Shabbat: The following activities are encouraged on Shabbat:
*Visiting family and friends (within walking distance of home and synagogue); *Visiting family and friends (within walking distance, given problems with transport);
*Spending Shabbat together with your own immediate family; *Spending Shabbat together with one's own immediate family;
*Synagogue attendance; *] attendance;
*Hosting family and friends to sleep over for Shabbat; *Hosting family and friends to sleep over for Shabbat (''hachnasat orchim'', hospitality) or at least for one of the festive meals;
⚫ *Singing ]s, zmirot, etc. (commonly done during or after the meals);
*Having family and friends for Shabbat lunch and dinner;
⚫ *Singing ]s, zmirot, etc. (commonly done after the Friday night and Saturday afternoon meals);
*Reading, studying and discussing ] and commentary, ] and ], ] and ]. *Reading, studying and discussing ] and commentary, ] and ], ] and ].
* According to ] (esoteric Jewish mysticism), ] between husband and wife is encouraged. * According to ] (Jewish mysticism), ] between husband and wife is encouraged.


The following activities are in accord with ] but are not mandated: The following activities are in accord with ] but are not mandated:
*Playing board games

*Reading modern Jewish ] (a number of ] discourage the reading of novels and newspapers; inspirational stories might fall outside this opinion);
*Playing board games such as ], ], ], ], ], ], etc.;
*Reading ] and modern Jewish ];
*Taking a ] walk or ]; *Taking a ] walk or ];
⚫ *Some, mainly ] and ], authorities permit spending time with one's pets.
*Reading magazines or books on ] (many ]s consider ] to be the study of God's handiwork).
⚫ *Some, mainly ] and ] authorities permit spending time with one's pets.


==See also==
----
See also: ], ], ], ] * ]
* ]
* ]
* ]


External links: ==External links==
* *
* *
*


⚫ == Recommended reading ==
----
⚫ Recommended reading:
*''The Sabbath'' ] *''The Sabbath'' ]
*''The Sabbath: A Guide to Its Understandings and Observance'' Dayan Isadore Grunfeld, Philipp Feldheim Inc. *''The Sabbath: A Guide to Its Understandings and Observance'' Dayan Isadore Grunfeld, Philipp Feldheim Inc.

Revision as of 22:37, 18 May 2004


Shabbat, or Shabbos (Ashkenazic pronunciation), is a day of rest that is observed once a week, on Saturday, by practitioners of Judaism, as well as by many secular Jews.

Etymology

The Hebrew word Shabbat is best translated as "period of rest", and is the basis of the English words "sabbath" and "sabbatical". (A common linguistic confusion leads many to believe that the word means "seventh day". Though the root for seven, or sheva' , is similar in sound, it is spelled differently.

Shabbat in other religions

Sabbaths are also observed in other religions: the weekly day of rest of Christianity is on Sunday. Islam has a day of rest of Friday that is derived from the Shabbat-concept.

Definition

Observance of Shabbat is mentioned a number of times in the Torah, most notably as the fourth of the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:8-11 and Deuteronomy 5:12-15). Other instances are Exodus 31:12-17 and 35:2-3, Leviticus 19:3 and 30, 23:3 and 28:9-10 (the sacrifices). It is referred to directly by the prophets Isaiah (56:4,6) and Ezekiel (ch. 20, 22, 23) and Nehemiah 9:14, apart from numerous other allusions in the Bible.

Jewish law defines one day ending at nightfall, which is when the next day then begins. Thus, Shabbat begins at sundown Friday night and ends at nightfall Saturday night. The added time between sunset and nightfall on Saturday night owes to the ambiguous nature of that part of the day according to Jewish law.

On occasions the word Shabbat can refer to the law of Shemittah or to the holidays, dependant on the context.

Status as a holiday

While the Sabbath is not considered a holiday by many other cultures and religions, Judaism accords Shabbat the status of a joyous holiday. In many ways, halakha (Jewish law) gives Shabbat the status of being the most imporant holy day in the Jewish calendar.

  • It is the first holiday mentioned in the Bible, and God was the first one to observe it.
  • The liturgy treats the Sabbath as a bride and queen.
  • The Torah reading for the Sabbath has more aliyot (sections of the Torah sung aloud) than does Yom Kippor, which in turn contains the most of any regular Jewish holiday.
  • There is a tradition that the Messiah will come if every Jew observes the Shabbat twice in a row (Talmud, tractate Shabbat 118).
  • The Biblical penalty for violating Shabbat is greater than that for violating any other holiday.

Purpose

The Tanakh (Hebrew Bible) and the Siddur (Jewish prayer book) describe Shabbat as having two purposes:

  • A commemoration of the Israelites' redemption from slavery in Egypt;
  • A commemoration of God's creations of the Universe; on the seventh day God rested from his work.

Mandatory activities

Although most Shabbat laws are restrictive (see below), the fourth commandment in Exodus is taken by the Talmud to allude to the positive aspects of the Shabbat. These include:

  • Recitation of Kiddush over a cup of wine in the evening and the morning, emphasizing the holiness of the day (see List of Hebrew Prayers);
  • Three joyful meals that minimally include bread (the traditional challah loaves) and meat (according to most traditional views).
  • Torah study (see below);

Rabbi Moshe Feinstein is quoted to have said that decreased emphasis on the "positive" aspects of Shabbat has been a factor in increased assimilation in the generations after WWII.

Prohibited activities

Jewish law prohibits Jewish people from doing any form of melachah ("work", plural "melachot") on Shabbat. Melacha does not closely correspond to the English definition of the term "work", nor does it correspond to the definition of the term as used in physics. Rather, it refers to the 39 categories of activity that the Talmud prohibits Jews from engaging in on Shabbat. Many religious scholars have pointed out that these labors have something in common -- they prohibit any activity that is creative, or that exercises control or dominion over one's environment.

The 39 activities are (Mishna Shabbat 7:2):

  1. Sowing;
  2. Plowing;
  3. Reaping;
  4. Binding sheaves;
  5. Threshing;
  6. Winnowing;
  7. Selecting;
  8. Grinding;
  9. Sifting;
  10. Kneading;
  11. Baking;
  12. Shearing wool;
  13. Washing wool;
  14. Beating wool;
  15. Dyeing wool;
  16. Spinning;
  17. Weaving;
  18. Making two loops;
  19. Weaving two threads;
  20. Separating two threads;
  21. Tying;
  22. Untying;
  23. Sewing stitches;
  24. Tearing;
  25. Trapping;
  26. Slaughtering;
  27. Flaying;
  28. Salting meat;
  29. Curing hide;
  30. Scraping hide;
  31. Cutting hide up;
  32. Writing two or more letters;
  33. Erasing two or more letters;
  34. Building;
  35. Tearing something down;
  36. Extinguishing a fire;
  37. Kindling a fire;
  38. Hitting an object with a hammer;
  39. Taking an object from the private domain to the public, or transporting an object in the public domain.

The 39 melachot are not so much activities as categories of activity. For example, while "winnowing" usually refers exclusively to the separation of chaff from grain, it refers in the Talmudic sense to any separation of intermixed materials which renders edible that which was inedible. Thus, filtering undrinkable water to make it drinkable falls under this category, as does picking small bones from fish. (Gefilte fish is a traditional Ashkenazi solution to this problem.)

In the event that a human life is in danger, a Jew is not only allowed, but required, to violate any Shabbat law which stands in the way of saving that life.

Observance

Shabbat is a day of celebration as well as one of prayer. Three festive meals are eaten each Shabbat: on Friday night, Saturday afternoon, and early Saturday evening before the conclusion of the Shabbat. All Jews are encouraged to attend services at a synagogue during Shabbat, even if they would not normally do so on weekdays.

With the exception of Yom Kippur, days of public fasting are postponed for a day if they coincide with Shabbat, and mourners sitting Shivah conduct themselves normally for the duration of the day and are indeed forbidden to express public signs of mourning.

Permitted activities

The following activities are encouraged on Shabbat:

  • Visiting family and friends (within walking distance, given problems with transport);
  • Spending Shabbat together with one's own immediate family;
  • Synagogue attendance;
  • Hosting family and friends to sleep over for Shabbat (hachnasat orchim, hospitality) or at least for one of the festive meals;
  • Singing folk songs, zmirot, etc. (commonly done during or after the meals);
  • Reading, studying and discussing Torah and commentary, Mishnah and Talmud, halakha and responsa and Midrash.
  • According to Kabbalah (Jewish mysticism), lovemaking between husband and wife is encouraged.

The following activities are in accord with Jewish law and tradition but are not mandated:

See also

External links

Recommended reading