Shabbat

Shabbat, also known as the Sabbath or Shabbos, is the Jewish day of rest.

It occurs on the seventh day of the week, spanning from Friday evening to Saturday night. In the Jewish religious calendar, days begin at sunset rather than midnight. Therefore, Shabbat begins a few minutes before the sun sets on Friday. It continues until three stars appear in the sky on Saturday night, or until one hour after sundown. This day serves as a sacred time for Jewish people to cease from labor. By refraining from work, followers honor the day and focus on spiritual life.

The observance of Shabbat is guided by halakha, which is Jewish religious law. The day serves three primary spiritual purposes. First, it commemorates the biblical creation story in Genesis. In that account, God rested on the seventh day after creating the heavens and the earth. Second, it remembers the Exodus, when the Israelites were redeemed from slavery in Egypt. Third, it provides a "taste" of Olam Haba, which is the Messianic Age. Because of these connections, Shabbat is considered a joyous and holy day. It is often described in liturgy as a "bride" or a "queen." Some traditions, such as those following Maimonides, even refer to it as a "king."

Preparation for Shabbat, known as kavod Shabbat, begins on Friday. People engage in activities to beautify their homes and themselves. This might include cleaning the house, buying flowers, bathing, or getting a haircut. To usher in the day, candles are lit, usually by the woman of the house. Many communities follow the custom of lighting candles 18 minutes before sunset.

This act symbolizes the dual commands to observe and remember the Sabbath. Following the lighting, families may sing songs like "Shalom Aleichem" to greet angels. These rituals create a clear distinction between the regular week and the holy day.

Food plays a central role in the festive atmosphere of Shabbat. Traditionally, observant Jews eat three festive meals throughout the day. The first meal occurs on Friday evening, followed by a lunch on Saturday. A third meal, called Seudah shlishit, is eaten on Saturday afternoon.

These meals often begin with kiddush, a sanctification prayer said over wine or grape juice. At the third meal, the kiddush is not performed. Instead, participants recite the hamotzi blessing and eat challah, which is a special braided bread. These communal meals allow families to spend time together away from the stresses of daily labor.

Religious services in the synagogue are also expanded on Shabbat. The Torah is read during the morning service, known as Shachrit. The reading is divided into seven sections, which is more than any other holy day. On some holidays, like Yom Kippur, the reading is divided into only six sections. Shabbat also includes a reading from the Haftarah, which comes from the Hebrew prophets. The importance of the day is reflected in the number of people called to the Torah. On Shabbat, seven people are typically called, which is a higher number than on most other holy days.

Scholars have investigated various theories regarding the origins of the seven-day week. Some suggest a connection to the Akkadian word "šapattu," which referred to a day of rest during a full moon. However, many historians doubt this link because "šapattu" usually refers to the fifteenth day of a month. Others have looked at Assyrian calendars that featured "evil days" where certain activities were prohibited. While these days were spaced seven days apart, they did not involve a general cessation of work for everyone. The most prominent theory in the Mosaic tradition is that Shabbat originated with the creation narrative in Genesis. This view holds that Shabbat is the first and most sacred institution of the Jewish people.

As the day concludes, a specific ritual called Havdalah is performed.

This ritual serves to separate the holiness of Shabbat from the ordinary work week. During Havdalah, blessings are recited over several items. These include wine or grape juice, aromatic spices, and a special Havdalah candle. This ceremony marks the formal end of the period of rest. Even as the physical rest ends, the spiritual significance of the day remains a core part of Jewish identity.