Shabbat

Shabbat is a special day of rest for many Jewish people. It falls on Saturday, the seventh day of the week. It begins in the evening of Friday before sunset and ends when three stars appear in the sky on Saturday night.

This day is important because it reminds Jews of two big stories from their traditions: the creation of the world in six days and their freedom from slavery during the Exodus from Egypt.

On Shabbat, many Jews do not do regular work. Instead, they spend time with family, enjoy special meals, and think about the deeper meaning of life. The day usually starts with lighting candles and saying blessings over wine and bread. There are often three special meals during Shabbat: one on Friday evening, one on Saturday at lunchtime, and another later in the afternoon. Each meal has its own special blessings.

When Shabbat ends, there is a special ritual called Havdalah. It includes saying blessings over wine, smelling sweet spices, and lighting a special candle. This helps separate the holy day from the rest of the week.

Etymology

Main article: Biblical Sabbath § Etymology

The word Shabbat comes from a Hebrew word. It means "rest" and also "stopping work." This idea matches the story of creation, where God stopped working on the seventh day.

Origins

Babylon

See also: Babylonian calendar

Some scholars think the word for Shabbat might be related to an old Akkadian word. This word talks about a special day connected to the full moon. However, many scholars believe there is no real link between the Jewish Sabbath and this old word.

Egypt

The idea of resting on the seventh day, known as Shabbat, did not come from the Egyptians. Other old ideas about days linked to stars like Saturn have also been ruled out.

Hebrew Bible

Main article: Biblical Sabbath

In the Jewish holy books, the Sabbath is described as a very special day at the start of the Torah. It is first mentioned after the Exodus from Egypt. The Torah talks about the Sabbath many times, saying it is an important day to rest.

Jewish tradition says that resting on the seventh day, Shabbat, began with the Jewish people. The Jewish faith says it started with the story of creation in the book of Genesis.

The oldest known reference to the Sabbath outside the Bible was found on a piece of pottery from around 630 BCE.

Status as a Jewish holy day

Shabbat is a special and happy holy day in Judaism. It has three main purposes:

1. To remember when God created the world and rested on the seventh day.
2. To celebrate when the Israelites were freed from slavery in ancient Egypt.
3. To give people a taste of a peaceful future time.

Jewish law treats Shabbat as the most important holy day. It is the first holy day mentioned in the Bible, and God was the first to observe it. Special readings from the Torah and Hebrew prophets are part of the Shabbat services. Some traditions say that if every Jew observes two Shabbat days in a row properly, the Jewish Messiah will come.

Rituals

Shabbat dinner" redirects here. For the film, see Shabbat Dinner.

Welcoming Shabbat

On Preparation Day (Friday), people get ready for Shabbat by bathing, getting a haircut, and cleaning and decorating their homes. Shabbat starts a few minutes before sunset because Jewish days begin at nightfall. Candles are lit at this time, often 18 minutes before sundown.

The Kabbalat Shabbat service welcomes Shabbat with prayers. Before dinner, people sing songs for the Shabbat angels and praise the woman of the house for her work. Blessings are said over wine and challah, and then a special meal is served with songs.

Other rituals

Shabbat is a day for celebration and prayer. Three special meals are eaten: dinner on Friday night, lunch on Saturday, and a third meal late on Saturday afternoon. Many Jews go to synagogue services on Shabbat eve, Saturday morning, and Saturday afternoon.

There are rules to follow on Shabbat, but there are also nice things to do. These include wearing nice clothes and staying positive. Kiddush, a blessing over wine, starts Shabbat meals. Eating three special meals is important, beginning with a blessing over two loaves of bread, usually braided challah. Enjoying Shabbat includes eating, singing, resting, and spending time with family. The end of Shabbat is marked by the recitation of havdalah.

Ending Shabbat

Main article: Havdalah

Havdalah is a ceremony that marks the end of Shabbat and the start of the new week. After nightfall and the appearance of three stars, havdalah blessings are said over wine, with fragrant spices and a candle. Some communities wait a little longer to end Shabbat. Different customs exist about when Shabbat officially ends.

Prohibited activities

Main articles: 39 Melachot and Rabbinically prohibited activities of Shabbat

Jewish law has special rules for the day of rest called Shabbat. On this day, religious Jews do not do certain kinds of work. The rules are about not doing things that need skill or planning, like farming, cooking, or building.

There are 39 main types of work that are not allowed on Shabbat. These ideas come from old stories about making a holy place called the Tabernacle. Some extra rules were added later by religious leaders.

Specific applications

Electricity

Main article: Electricity on Shabbat

Some religious leaders say that turning electric devices on or off is not allowed on Shabbat. They think this might be like lighting a fire. One way to follow the rules is to use timers to control lights or appliances.

Automobiles

Main article: Driving on Shabbat

Many religious leaders say not to use cars on Shabbat. They think it breaks several rules. But some say it is okay to drive to a special place for worship if needed.

Modifications

People have found ways to follow the rules without breaking them. For example, special elevators stop at every floor without anyone pressing a button. Some people carry their keys in a way that is allowed.

Permissions

Main article: Pikuach nefesh

If someone’s life is in danger, it is allowed to break the Shabbat rules to save them. This includes taking someone to the hospital. There are also some special ways to do things that are normally not allowed.

Reform and Reconstructionist views

Some Jewish groups, like Reform and Reconstructionist Jews, believe each person can decide for themselves what to do on Shabbat. They might see some activities as adding to the special day.

Encouraged activities

On Shabbat, many Jewish traditions help people make the day special. Families often read holy books together, go to the synagogue for prayers, and share meals. Singing special songs at meals is a happy part of the day. Resting and spending quiet time together helps everyone feel refreshed.

All Jewish denominations recommend these activities to make Shabbat meaningful and joyful.

Special Shabbat

Main article: Special Shabbat

Special Shabbat days occur before important Jewish holidays. Examples include Shabbat HaGadol, the Shabbat before Pesach, Shabbat Zachor, the Shabbat before Purim, and Shabbat Shuvah, the Shabbat between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. These special days help people get ready for the holidays ahead.

In other religions

Main articles: Sabbath in seventh-day churches and Sabbath in Christianity

Most Christians do not rest on Saturday. They usually meet for worship on Sunday, called the "Lord's Day". But some Christian groups, like the Seventh-day Adventist Church, the Church of God (7th Day), the Seventh Day Baptists, and others, rest on Saturday. They celebrate from Friday sunset until Saturday sunset.

Samaritans also observe Shabbat. During this time, they turn off most electricity except for basic lighting. They do not work, cook, or drive.

Karaite Jews observe Shabbat on Saturday but have different rules than other Jewish traditions. For example, they are often stricter about using fire and electricity.

See also: Sabbath § Islam

Although Muslims do not rest on Saturday, the name of Saturday in the Islamic calendar, السَّبْت as-Sabt, has a meaning similar to the Hebrew word for rest.

Lunar Sabbath

Some people think the biblical sabbath did not follow a 7-day week like the Gregorian calendar. They believe the new moon started the count, and the sabbath always fell on the 8th, 15th, 22nd, or 29th of each month. They use parts of the Bible to support this idea.

But traditional Jewish practice follows the days of creation, keeping the sabbath apart from the monthly cycle. This cycle is not automatic and must be renewed each month. See kiddush hachodesh.