Shabbat

Shabbat is a special day of rest for many Jewish people, falling on the seventh day of the week, which is Saturday. It begins in the evening of Friday, just before sunset, and ends when three stars appear in the sky on Saturday night. This day is very 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 to make the day feel holy.

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 and marks the return to everyday activities.

Etymology

Main article: Biblical Sabbath § Etymology

The word Shabbat comes from a Hebrew root. It is often translated as "rest," but it also means "stopping work." This idea of stopping work fits well with 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, as they mean very different things.

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 right at the start of the Torah. It is first mentioned after the Exodus from Egypt. The Torah and other Jewish writings talk about the Sabbath many times, saying it is a important day to rest.

Jewish tradition says that resting on the seventh day, Shabbat, began with the Jewish people as their most important tradition. Where Shabbat and the seven-day week really came from is still a mystery to scholars. 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

Honoring Shabbat on Preparation Day (Friday) includes bathing, having a haircut, and cleaning and beautifying the home. Days in the Jewish calendar start at nightfall, so Shabbat begins a few minutes before sunset. Candles are lit at this time, often 18 minutes before sundown.

The Kabbalat Shabbat service welcomes Shabbat with prayers. Before dinner, it's customary to sing songs greeting Shabbat angels and praising the woman of the house for her work. After blessings over wine and challah, a festive meal is served, with singing traditional during Shabbat meals.

Other rituals

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

Though most Shabbat laws are restrictive, there are positive commandments too. These include honoring Shabbat by wearing nice clothes and avoiding unpleasant conversations. Recitation of kiddush over wine starts Shabbat meals. Eating three festive meals is important, beginning with a blessing over two loaves of bread, usually braided challah. Enjoying Shabbat includes activities like eating, singing, sleeping, and spending time with family. Recitation of havdalah marks the end of Shabbat.

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 recited over wine, with fragrant spices and a candle. Some communities delay havdalah to prolong Shabbat. Different customs exist about how much time to wait after the stars appear before 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. These rules come from old stories and traditions. 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 the Bible stories about making a special 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 or building something. One way to follow the rules is to use timers to control lights or appliances without touching them.

Automobiles

Main article: Driving on Shabbat

Many religious leaders say not to use cars on Shabbat. They think it breaks several rules, like lighting a fire or moving things from one place to another. 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, like putting them in a belt or tie.

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 things like taking someone to the hospital. There are also some special ways to do things that are normally not allowed, but in a changed way.

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 rather than breaking it.

Encouraged activities

On Shabbat, many Jewish traditions include special ways to make the day holy. People often enjoy studying important holy books together, going to the synagogue for prayers, and sharing meals with family and friends. Singing special songs during meals is also a joyful part of the day. Resting and spending quiet time together is encouraged as a way to refresh the spirit.

All Jewish denominations suggest these activities to help make Shabbat special and meaningful.

Special Shabbat

Main article: Special Shabbat

Special Shabbat days happen before big Jewish holidays. Examples include Shabbat HaGadol, which is the Shabbat before Pesach, Shabbat Zachor, which is the Shabbat before Purim, and Shabbat Shuvah, which is the Shabbat between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. These special Shabbat days help prepare people for the upcoming holidays.

In other religions

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

Most Christians do not observe Saturday as their day of rest. Instead, they gather for worship on Sunday, often called the "Lord's Day". However, some Christian groups, such as the Seventh-day Adventist Church, the Church of God (7th Day), the Seventh Day Baptists, and others, keep their day of rest on Saturday. They celebrate this from Friday sunset until Saturday sunset.

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

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

See also: Sabbath § Islam

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

Lunar Sabbath

Some believe the biblical sabbath was not linked to a 7-day week like the Gregorian calendar. Instead, they think the new moon starts the count, and the sabbath always falls on the 8th, 15th, 22nd, or 29th of each month. They use parts of the Bible to support this idea, such as Genesis 1:14, Psalm 104:19, and Sirach 43:6–8.

However, traditional Jewish practice follows the days of creation, keeping the sabbath separate from the monthly cycle. This cycle is not automatic and needs to be renewed each month. See kiddush hachodesh.