What is Shabbat Day ?

Shabbat, often referred to as the Sabbath, is Judaism's day of rest and spiritual enrichment, observed weekly from sunset on Friday until nightfall on Saturday. This observance is deeply rooted in Jewish tradition, commemorating both God's creation of the universe and the Israelites' redemption from slavery in Egypt.

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The word "Shabbat" originates from the Hebrew root ש־ב־ת, meaning "to cease" or "to rest," reflecting the core principle of refraining from work activities. It is considered the most important ritual observance in Judaism, even more significant than Yom Kippur, and is the only ritual observance explicitly instituted in the Ten Commandments.

Observance of Shabbat involves two primary commandments: zakhor (to remember) and shamor (to observe). Remembering Shabbat entails recalling its significance as a commemoration of creation and freedom from slavery. Observing Shabbat involves refraining from melakhah, which is often translated as "work" but more accurately refers to "creative activity" or "skill and craftsmanship". The rabbis identified 39 categories of melakhah, derived from the types of work required to construct the Tabernacle. These prohibited activities include actions like plowing, sowing, reaping, building, kindling a fire, and writing.

Shabbat begins with a welcoming ceremony on Friday evening, typically involving the lighting of two candles by the woman of the house, symbolizing the zakhor and shamor commandments .. Blessings are recited over wine (Kiddush) and challah (braided bread), followed by a festive meal. Throughout Shabbat, three festive meals are traditionally eaten: one on Friday evening, a lunch on Saturday, and a third, lighter meal in the late Saturday afternoon. Encouraged activities on Shabbat include studying Torah, attending synagogue services, spending time with family and friends, singing, and engaging in pleasurable activities.

The day concludes with the Havdalah ceremony at nightfall on Saturday, marking the separation between the holy day and the upcoming workweek. This ritual involves blessings over wine, fragrant spices, and a braided candle. While Orthodox and many Conservative Jews adhere strictly to these prohibitions, Reform and Reconstructionist Jews often view Shabbat as a day for individual determination of what constitutes "work" and how to best observe the day.