Definition:

Shabbat is the Jewish Sabbath.

Shabbat, (the Sabbath) is a key part of Jewish life; it is observed as a day of rest and spiritual rejuvenation. Shabbat takes place from nightfall on Friday to nightfall on Saturday. The mitzvah (commandment) for Shabbat is derived from Exodus 20:8-10 ‘Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy. Six days show you labour and do all your work but on the seventh day you shall rest for God rested on the seventh day.’ The mitzvah to rest on the Sabbath is in order to emulate God resting after the work of creation.

In the home and synagogue, blessings are made and candles are lit to welcome Shabbat and signify the start of the festival. The Kiddush prayer is recited to represent the holiness of the day. Blessings are made over wine and challah (the special bread made with eggs and sometimes sweetened and braided). It is traditional to have two challot to commemorate the extra portion of manna the children of Israel were given on Shabbat whilst wandering in the desert. They are also reminders of the loaves of bread displayed on the tabernacle table and later in the temple in Jerusalem. Salt is often sprinkled over the challot because salt was used with all sacrifices brought on the altar during Temple times.

Shabbat is a time when people come together to pray, eat, study and sing. Shabbat services include Kabbalat Shabbat on Erev Shabbat (Friday evening). This is a joyous musical service to welcome in Shabbat. On Shabbat morning, Shacharit (morning service) includes the reading of the weekly Torah portion, a D’var Torah (an explanation of the portion) and Haftarah reading (a reading from a section of Nevi'im, the Prophets or Ketuvim, Writings).

Shabbat is observed in a variety of different ways. Some observant Jews are Shomer Shabbat meaning they do not do anything which constitutes one of the 39 categories of work prohibited in Mishnah Shabbat 7:2. This includes not driving, using electricity, writing, carrying or spending money on Shabbat. Reform Jews question the definition of work and what it means to rest. During biblical times, work involved hard agricultural labour. Today we have many different types of work. Many Reform Jews choose to adapt the rules involving rest to accommodate electricity and driving, which were not options available during biblical or rabbinic times. This is a modern interpretation of the law to ‘rest on the seventh day’.