All You Need to Know About Shabbat

To the Jewish community, however, the day represents a joyful celebration and well deserved rest. The reasoning behind not working on the seventh day of the week is to commemorate the belief that God, after creating everything that exists in six days, took the seventh day to rest. As stated in Genesis 2:2-3, “By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that He had done.” The direct command to sanctify the day can be found in Exodus 20:8, which states, “Remember the Sabbath day and keep it Holy.” This is the part of the bible wherein the Ten Commandments are presented to the Hebrews.

There are many interpretations of the origins and general purpose of Shabbat, but the unifying concept is freedom and rest. It is a celebration of the miracle of creation and a remembrance to the Hebrews’ redemption from slavery. Shabbat is one of the defining holidays of the Jewish faith.

Restrictions during Shabbat

Among all Jewish holidays, restriction from work is more strictly enforced on Shabbat. On other festivals, work is allowed as long as it meets certain conditions. For example, if the task at hand contributes to the further enjoyment of the festival. Work like baking bread or other similar tasks are allowed to be done during other Jewish festivals. On Shabbat they are restricted.

The Talmud even establishes up to 39 categories of work that should not be done on Shabbat. These categories are basic tasks such as cooking, construction, repairing, writing, making fires, cutting wood and others that are considered as general labor. There are even restrictions on certain activities that would lead one to inadvertently doing these types of work. For example, an individual is not allowed to climb a tree during Shabbat in order to avoid accidentally snapping a twig, which would technically be defined as cutting wood.

Another adjustment of the labors prohibited to modern times is driving. One is not allowed to move one object to another during the Shabbat, thus driving a vehicle falls under this category. Igniting fuel is also tantamount to making a fire, another category of labor prohibited on Shabbat.

Shabbat restricts Jews from doing anything that exerts extra effort. Leisurely activities like strolling and even playing are not just allowed, but also encouraged, keeping in mind that the Shabbat is, indeed, a celebration.

Celebrating the Shabbat

Judaism views the start and end of days with each sunset. Therefore Shabbat, which is on a Saturday, begins at sundown on Friday and ends on sundown the next day.

Shabbat officially begins when the event is welcomed to the Jewish homes with the same hospitable attitude people display when welcoming a guest in the house. The Talmud personifies Shabbat in the form of a beautiful bride, and Jewish households welcome this bride by dressing nicely, cleaning the house, and preparing a nice meal. Before the sun sets, the woman of the house traditionally lights at least two candles to welcome Shabbat. A blessing and a prayer is recited over the lit candles.

The men then leave for Friday night services in the Synagogue. Sometimes the women and children join them or stay at home. Upon their return, the family gathers together for the Sabbath meal. Before the actual food is served, everyone joins by singing in celebration of Shabbat. The husband or the man of the house then places his hand upon the heads of his child or children and blesses each one as God has blessed the children of Joseph and the four matriarchs of the Bible. After which, the wife is honored by her husband with a reading from Proverbs 31:10-31 “Aishet Chail” (“Lady Of Valor”).

The next blessing is called the Shabbat Kiddush and is recited over wine. The Shabbat Kiddush is translated as Sabbath Sanctification, and the man of the house raises a glass full of wine or grape juice and recites another blessing. This blessing sanctifies the entire Sabbath day.

Before the meal begins, a hand washing ritual takes place before breaking bread. Then the blessing called Hamotzi, which is traditionally said on bread, is recited on two loaves of Challah, or braided egg bread. This symbolizes the manna God provided the Hebrews in the wilderness. One person says the customary blessing and everyone responds by saying “Amen.”

The Shabbat dinner then commences with everyone enjoying a spread of delicious dishes prepared especially to honor the Shabbat. Many long-established dishes designated for Shabbat are served. Traditionally included in the menu is Gefilta fish, which is deboned ground fish mixed with vegetables and spices. They are formed into patties or balls and served with horseradish and other dips and salads. This is followed by the classic, piping hot chicken soup with the quintessential Jewish Matzo Balls and a main dish of beef or chicken. Kugel, served as a side dish, is also one of the time-honored Shabbat traditions, generally made from potatoes or noodles, mixed with eggs and spices and baked like a casserole. Other non-traditional foods are also acceptable, as long as they can be prepared in advance.

Synagogue services are held Friday night as well as Shabbat morning. These prayer services mimic the usual weekly prayers with additional special prayers added to celebrate Shabbat.

Shabbat ends with everyone greeting one another “Shavuah tov” or “gute voch”, meaning “a good week!”

 

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