The importance of Shabbat

Part One: HaTikvah Also posted Here By Shlomo Phillips 12.29.10 (last updated 07.15.2013)
God's title HaShem reminds us that He along is King over all kings. His Queen is Shabbat, the Sabbath. In our Siddur (Jewish prayer books) we welcome the weekly Shabbat (Sabbath) with the Lecha dodi (Come My Beloved) prayer: Lecha dodi likrat kalah penei Shabbat nekabela! "Come my Beloved to greet the bride, the Sabbath presence, let us welcome!" The importance and sanctity of Shabbat can not be over stated because it is the Day of the Divine Bride. Shabbat is not a man made holiday based on the determination of some counsel of priests. Rather, HaShabbat was set apart for special observance by God Himself! As we read in the Torah: Genesis 2:1 Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, along with everything in them. 2 On the seventh day God was finished with his work which he had made, so he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. 3 God blessed the seventh day and separated it as holy; because on that day God rested from all his work which he had created, so that it itself could produce. Shabbat, the Sabbath or seventh day, stands unique among the days of the week. While in Hebrew the other days are identified by numbers (Day One, Day Two etc) Shabbat is named. Shabbat was specifically set apart as holy (kodesh in the Hebrew) by God Himself. Of this word kodesh we read: A primitive root; to be (causatively make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally): - appoint, bid, consecrate, dedicate, hallow, (be, keep) holy (-er, place), keep, prepare, proclaim, purify, sanctify (-ied one, self), X wholly (Strong's: H6942). Rebbe Nachman of Breslov says: The joy of Shabbat is the gateway to true freedom -- Likutey Moharan II, 17 Sing many songs at the Shabbat table. Pay no attention to any obstacles. Others at the table may show little desire to sing, but you should still do your part. Make a determined effort to sing happily. Conduct the Shabbat table in a happy mood, because the main thing is the joy of Shabbat -- Sichot Haran #155.

Shabbat is the most important and the most joyous ritual observance in biblical religion. Observing Shabbat is the sign that one is in a covenant relationship with HaShem. Exodus 31:13 "And you, speak to the children of Israel and say: 'Only keep My Sabbaths! For it is a sign between Me and you for your generations, to know that I, the Lord, make you holy. When to honor Shabbat: According to both the Torah and ancient Jewish tradition new days begin at sunset: Genesis 1:5 ...So there was evening, and there was morning, one day. 1:8 ... So there was evening, and there was morning, a second day. 1:13 So there was evening, and there was morning, a third day. Shabbat, the seventh day of the week, is therefore sunset Friday to nightfall Saturday according to our present calendars. While different calendars have been used over the years the Jewish people have always remembered HaShabbat. Modern Western calendars coincide with the biblical week. Psalms 55:6 But I will call on God, and ADONAI will save me. 17 Evening, morning and noon I complain and moan; but he hears my voice. Daniel 6:10 On learning that the document had been signed, Daniel went home. The windows of his upstairs room were open in the direction of Yerushalayim; and there he kneeled down three times a day and prayed, giving thanks before his God, just as he had been doing before. As we read at Judaism 101: All Jewish holidays [including Sabbath] begin the evening before the date specified on most calendars. This is because a Jewish "day" begins and ends at sunset, rather than at midnight. If you read the story of creation in Genesis Ch. 1, you will notice that it says, "And there was evening, and there was morning, one day." From this, we infer that a day begins with evening, that is, sunset. Holidays end at nightfall of the date specified on most calendars; that is, at the time when it becomes dark out, about an hour after sunset. For this reason we lift up our prayers just before sunset (traditionally 18 minutes before sunset so as not to miss even a second of the sacred time). HaShem is so kind that He begins the day by allowing us rest. Then we arise with the sun, perform our activities, and return to a state of rest and reflection on His goodness as the day ends and the next begins. Why we honor Shabbat: Both Torah versions of the Ten Commandments include the commandment (mitzvah) to honor Shabbat. These commandments (mitzvot) instruct us that honoring Shabbat involves two interrelated commandments: To Remember (zakhor) Shabbat: "Remember the day, Shabbat, to set it apart for God"

Hebrew: Zakhor et yom ha-Shabbat l'kad'sho - Exodus 20:8. This commandment includes more than merely remembering to observe the weekly tradition. It requires us to remember why we observe the Sabbath. Sabbath observance reminds us of how HaShem led His people out of Egyptian slavery during the days of Moses (Moshe) and the Exodus. From their experiences we catch a glimpse of how God leads us out of the forms of bondage we face in our own lives.

To Observe (shamor) Shabbat: "Observe the day of Shabbat, to set it apart as holy"
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Hebrew: Shamor et yom ha-Shabbat l'kad'sho - Deuteronomy 5:12. This command (or mitzvot) tells us to observe Shabbat properly and with full intention. We are to view the seventh day as holy (again, as kodesh in the Hebrew), as a day set apart for spiritual and restful activities. All week long we struggle in the world as it is (the Olam HaZeh), but on Shabbat we celebrate the world as it will be (in the Olam Haba) once the Kingdom of HaShem is established 'on Earth as it is in Heaven' and HaMoshiach (the Messiah) takes his seat on the Throne of David his father (Isaiah 11)! Shabbat then is the expression of our emunah (active faith) that one day Israel will be fully restored and global peace will be established under their reign of HaMoshiach. With HaTikvah (the Glorious Hope) how could we not be joyous on Shabbat! All week long we look forward to Shabbat, knowing that one day the eternal Shabbat will appear! And yet some do not understand that Shabbat is truly our joy. For this reason we will look at What Shabbat is not as we continue this study.