Shabbat (Sabbath)
e l e v e n  o b j e c t s

Among the precious gifts Judaism has given to the world is the concept of Shabbat (the Sabbath)—a day apart from ordinary days. It is to be a day of rest and of spiritual renewal, as written in Exodus 16:23, “Tomorrow is a solemn rest, a holy Sabbath unto the Lord,” and again in Leviticus 23:3, “Six days shall work be done; but on the seventh day is a Sabbath of solemn rest, a holy convocation.” The fourth commandment says “Observe the Sabbath day, to keep it holy as the Lord thy God commanded thee.” It was said by Ahad Ha-am, “More than Israel has kept Shabbat, Shabbat has kept Israel.”

            The Sabbath as observed by Jews is in three parts. (The third part—Havdalah—is discussed in the following section.) It begins with the welcoming of the holy day: “Beloved, come to meet the bride; beloved , come to greet Shabbat.” The mystics of Israel conceived of the Sabbath as entering the world as Israel’s bride, to be greeted with ecstatic joy. It is the day when Israel may be united with God in love. The Sabbath begins eighteen minutes before sundown.  The Sabbath is welcomed with the kindling of at least two candles. One light signifies “Remember the Sabbath day” (Exodus 20:8) the other “Observe the Sabbath day” (Deuteronomy 5:12). The choice of the number of lights kindled over two is individual. Some families light a candle for every child, some for each family member not able to be present, and so on. In many homes and synagogues of Europe, an oil-holding bowl was hung on chains. The edges of the rim were pinched outward to hold cotton wicks. This device had a drip pan below. In Eastern Europe, the bowl was small, with extended enlarged spouts resulting in a star-shaped lamp of brass called the Judenstern (Jewish star). While the women are making the final preparations for the Sabbath, the men attend synagogue service. (Reform and Conservative Jews may choose to attend services before or after Sabbath dinner and most likely men and women worship together). Dinner is preceded by a blessing over a special goblet of wine (kiddush cup), followed by a prayer over two loaves of the traditional braided Sabbath bread (hallah).

            The second part of the Sabbath begins on Saturday morning when both men and women return to the synagogue. It is a time for reflection, study, and socializing. The service varies in length, usage of Hebrew, and type of participation according to the different movements within Judaism. The worshipers return home to a day of rest, meditation, reading of religious materials, simple pre-prepared meals, and socializing with friends and family.