Shabbat
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225705035
2008-07-15T00:15:56Z
74.73.18.198
/* Shabbat rituals */ in the 1940s, it became Israel, NOT Palestine.
{{otheruses4|the rest day in Judaism|the Talmud tractate|Shabbat (Talmud)|other uses|Sabbath}}
[[Image:Shabbat table setting.jpg|thumb|300px|The Shabbat table is set: two covered [[challot]], a [[kiddush]] cup, two candles, and flowers.]]
{{Judaism}}
'''Shabbat''' or '''Shabbos''' ([[Hebrew language|Hebrew]]: '''שבת''', ''shabbāt'', ''shabbes'', "rest/inactivity"), is the [[week]]ly [[Sabbath]] or [[day of rest]] in [[Judaism]], symbolizing the seventh day in [[Genesis]], after the six days of creation. Though it is commonly said to be the [[Saturday]] of each week, it is observed from sundown on [[Friday]] until the appearance of three stars in the sky on Saturday night. The exact time therefore differs from week to week and from place to place, depending on the time of the sunset.
Shabbat is observed both by positive observances, such as three festive meals, and restrictions. [[Activities prohibited on Shabbat|Activities forbidden on the Shabbat]] derive from thirty-nine basic actions (''melachot'', loosely translated as "work") that are derived by the [[Talmud]] from Biblical sources.
==Etymology==
The Hebrew word ''Shabbat'' comes from the Hebrew verb ''shavat'', which literally means "to cease." Although ''Shabbat'' (or its anglicized version, "Sabbath") is almost universally translated as "rest" or a "period of rest," a more literal translation would be "ceasing", with the implication of "ceasing from work." Thus, ''Shabbat'' is the day of ceasing from work; while resting is implied, it is not a necessary denotation of the word itself. For example, the Hebrew word for "[[Strike action|strike]]" (as in work stoppage) is ''shevita'', which comes from the same Hebrew root as ''Shabbat'', and has the same implication, namely that striking workers actively abstain from work, rather than passively.
Some people ask why [[Names of God in Judaism|God]] needed to "rest" on the seventh day of [[Creation according to Genesis]]. If the meaning of the word is understood as "ceasing from labor" rather than "rested," this is more consistent with the biblical view of an [[Omnipotence|omnipotent]] God.
''Shabbat'' is the source for the [[English language|English]] term [[wikt:sabbath|Sabbath]], and for the word denoting this day of the week in many languages. The word "[[sabbatical]]" - referring to the sabbatical year in the Bible, or a year that one takes off from work, mainly in the academic world, also comes from this root.
==Biblical source==
The special status of Shabbat as a holy day is contained in {{bibleverse||Genesis|2:3|HE}} of the [[Tanakh]] (the [[Hebrew Bible]]):
:And God blessed the seventh day, and hallowed it; because that in it He rested from all His work which God in creating had made.
Though the holy status of the day is indicated in Genesis 2:3, no obligation arises directly from that status. The actual commandment to observe the Sabbath is mentioned many times in the Tanakh, all of these arise after [[the Exodus]] from Egypt. The first commandment relating to the Sabbath is the fourth of the [[Ten Commandments]] ({{bibleverse||Exodus|20:8-10|HE}} and {{bibleverse||Deuteronomy|5:12-14|HE}}):
: Remember the sabbath day, and keep it holy. For six days you shall labour and do all your work. But the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God; you shall not do any work... For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but rested the seventh day; therefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day and consecrated it.
The first appearance of the commandment is in fact earlier, in {{bibleverse||Exodus|16:26|HE}}, where Moses commands the Israelites to leave off the gathering of manna on the seventh day, the Sabbath:
:Six days ye shall gather it; but on the seventh day, which is the sabbath, in it there shall be none.
Other instances are {{bibleverse||Exodus|31:12-17|HE}} and {{bibleverse||Exodus|35:2-3|HE}}, {{bibleverse||Leviticus|19:3|HE}} {{bibleverse||Leviticus|19:30|HE}} and {{bibleverse||Leviticus|23:3|HE}} and {{bibleverse||Numbers|28:9-10|HE}} (the [[Korban|sacrifices]] offered on the Shabbat). It is referred to directly by the prophets {{bibleverse||Isaiah|56:4,6|HE}}, {{bibleverse||Ezekiel|20:13|HE}} {{bibleverse||Ezekiel|22:8|HE}} {{bibleverse||Ezekiel|23:38|HE}} and {{bibleverse||Nehemiah|9:14|HE}}.
==Status as a holy day==
The Tanakh and [[siddur]] (Jewish prayer book) describe Shabbat as having three purposes:
# A commemoration of the Israelites' [[the Exodus|redemption from slavery]] in [[ancient Egypt]];
# A commemoration of [[Names of God in Judaism|God's]] [[Creation according to Genesis|creations of the universe]]; on the seventh day God rested from (or ceased) his work;
# A taste of the world in [[Messianic Age|Messianic times]].
Judaism accords Shabbat the status of a joyous holy day. In many ways, Jewish law gives Shabbat the status of being the most important holy day in the Jewish calendar:
* It is the first holy day mentioned in the Bible, and God was the first to observe it with the cessation of [[Creation according to Genesis|Creation]] (Genesis 2:1-3).
* [[Jewish services|Jewish liturgy]] treats the Sabbath as a "bride" and "queen."
* The [[Sefer Torah]] is read during the [[Torah reading]] which is part of the Saturday morning services, with a longer reading than during the week. The Torah is read over a yearly cycle of 54 ''[[Parsha|parshiot]]'', one for each Shabbat (sometimes they are doubled). On Shabbat the reading is divided into seven sections, more than on any other holy day, including [[Yom Kippur]]. Then, the [[Haftarah]] reading from the Hebrew prophets is read.
* A tradition states that the [[Jewish Messiah]] will come if every Jew properly observes two consecutive Sabbaths.<ref>[[Talmud]], tractate Shabbat 118</ref>
* The punishment in ancient times for desecrating Shabbat ([[stoning]]) is the most severe punishment in [[Jewish law]].<ref>See e.g. Numbers 15:32-36.</ref>
==Shabbat rituals==
Shabbat is a day of celebration as well as one of [[Jewish services|prayer]]. It is customary to eat three festive meals on Shabbat. These include dinner on Friday night, lunch on Saturday and another meal before the conclusion of Shabbat later in the afternoon.
[[Image:ShabbatableS.jpg|200px|left|thumb|Table set for Friday night meal]]
Many Jews attend synagogue services on Shabbat even if they do not do so during the week. Services are held on Friday night and Saturday morning.
With the exception of [[Yom Kippur]], which is referred to in the Torah as the "Sabbath of the Sabbaths," days of public fasting are postponed or advanced if they coincide with Shabbat. Mourners sitting ''[[shivah]]'' (week of mourning subsequent to the death of a spouse or first-degree relative) outwardly conduct themselves normally for the duration of the day and are forbidden to express public signs of mourning.
[[Image:Maurice Ascalon Shabbat Candle Sticks.jpg|200px|right|thumb|An example of a bronze Shabbat candlestick holder made in Israel in the 1940s.]]
According to [[Rabbinic literature]], God via the Torah commands Jews to ''observe'' (refrain from forbidden activity) and ''remember'' (with words, thoughts, and actions) the Shabbat, and these two actions are symbolized by [[Shabbat candles]] late Friday afternoon (in most communities, eighteen minutes before sunset is customary) by Jewish women, usually the mother/wife, though men who live alone are required to do so themselves. It is customary to light two candles, although some families light more, sometimes in accordance with the number of children.<ref>Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim chapter 261.</ref>
Although most Shabbat laws are restrictive (see below), the fourth of the [[Ten Commandments]] in [[Exodus]] is taken by the [[Talmud]] to allude to the ''positive'' commandments of the Shabbat. These include:
* Recitation of ''[[kiddush]]'', or "sanctification," over a cup of [[kosher wine|wine]] at the beginning of Shabbat before the first meal and after the conclusion of morning prayers (see [[list of Jewish prayers and blessings]])
* Eating three festive meals (''shalosh seudot''). Meals begin with a blessing over two loaves of bread (''lechem mishneh''), usually a braided [[challah]]. It is customary to serve meat or fish, and sometimes both, for Friday night dinner and Shabbat lunch. The third meal, eaten late Saturday afternoon, is called ''[[Seudah Shlishit]]'' (literally, "third meal"). This is generally a light meal and may be [[parve]] or [[dairy]].
* Recitation of ''[[Havdalah]]'', or "separation," at the conclusion on Saturday night (over a cup of wine, and with the use of fragrant spices and a candle)
* Enjoying Shabbat (''Oneg Shabbat''). Engaging in pleasurable activities such as eating, singing, spending time with the family and marital relations.
* Honouring Shabbat (''Kavod Shabbat'') Preparing for the upcoming Shabbat by bathing, having a haircut, and cleaning and beautifying the home (with flowers, for example), or on Shabbat itself, wearing festive clothing and refraining from unpleasant conversation.
It is customary to avoid talk about money or business matters on Shabbat.<ref>Derived from Isaiah 48:13</ref>
==Prohibited activities==
===The 39 categories===
{{main|Activities prohibited on Shabbat}}
[[Halakha|Jewish law (halakha)]] prohibits doing any form of ''melachah'' (מְלָאכָה, plural ''melachot'') on Shabbat, with some exceptions. Though ''melachah'' is commonly translated as "work" in [[English language|English]], a better definition is "deliberate activity" or "skill and craftmanship". There are 39 categories of prohibited activities (''melachot'') listed in [[Mishnah]] [[Shabbat (Talmud)|Tractate Shabbat]] Chapter 7, Mishna 2).
Different streams of Judaism view the prohibition on work in different ways. Observant [[Orthodox Judaism|Orthodox]] and [[Conservative Judaism|Conservative]] Jews refrain from perform the prohibited activities. These prohibited activities are [[exegesis|exegetically]] derived - based on juxtaposition of corresponding Biblical passages - from the kinds of work that were necessary for the construction of the [[Tabernacle (Judaism)|Tabernacle]]. They are not directly listed in the Torah; elsewhere, the Mishnah observes that "the laws of the Sabbath [...] are like mountains hanging by a hair, for they are little Scripture but many laws" (Hagigah 1:8). Many [[Rabbinic literature|religious scholars]] have pointed out that these labors have in common activity that is "creative," or that exercises control or dominion over one's [[environment (biophysical)|environment]].
The 39 categories of ''melachah'' are sowing, ploughing, reaping, binding sheaves, threshing, winnowing, selecting, grinding, sifting, kneading, baking, shearing wool, washing wool, beating wool, dyeing wool, spinning, weaving, making two loops, weaving two threads, separating two threads, tying, untying, sewing stitches, tearing, trapping, slaughtering, flaying, tanning, scraping hide, marking hides, cutting hide to shape, writing two or more letters, erasing two or more letters, building, demolishing, extinguishing a fire, kindling a fire, putting the finishing touch on an object and transporting an object between the private domain and the public domain, or for a distance of 4 [[cubit]]s within the public domain.
Each ''melachah'' has derived prohibitions of various kinds. There are, therefore, many more forbidden activities on the Shabbat; all are traced back to one of the 39 above principal ''melachot''.
Given the above, the 39 ''melachot'' are not so much activities as "categories of activity." For example, while "winnowing" usually refers exclusively to the separation of [[chaff]] from [[cereal|grain]], and "selecting" refers exclusively to the separation of debris from grain, they refer in the Talmudic sense to any separation of intermixed materials which renders edible that which was inedible. Thus, filtering undrinkable [[water]] to make it drinkable falls under this category, as does picking small bones from [[fish]]. (''[[Gefilte fish]]'' is one solution to this problem.)
===Use of electricity===
{{Main|Electricity on Shabbat}}
Orthodox and some Conservative authorities rule that it is prohibited to turn [[electricity|electric]] devices on or off as falling under one of the "39 categories of work (''melachot'')". However, the authorities are not in agreement about exactly which category (or categories) this would fall under. One view is that tiny sparks are created in a switch when the circuit is closed, and this would constitute "lighting a fire" (category 37). If the appliance is one whose purpose is for light or heat (such as an incandescent lightbulb or electric oven) then the lighting or heating elements may be considered as a type of fire; if so, then turning them on constitutes both "lighting a fire" (category 37) and "cooking" (a form of baking, category 11), and turning them off would be "extinguishing a fire" (category 36).
Another view is that a device which is plugged into an electrical outlet of a wall becomes part of the building, but is nonfunctional while the switch is off; turning it on would then constitute "building" and turning it off would be "demolishing" (categories 35 and 34). Some schools of thought consider the use of electricity to be forbidden only by [[Mitzvah#Rabbinical mitzvot|rabbinic injunction]], rather than because it violates of one of the original categories.
A common solution to the problem of electricity involves pre-set timers ([[Shabbat clock]]s) for electric appliances, to turn them on and off automatically, with no human intervention on Shabbat itself. Some Conservative authorities<ref>Neulander, Arthur. "The Use of Electricity on the Sabbath." ''Proceedings of the Rabbinical Assembly'' 14 (1950) 165-171</ref><ref>Adler, Morris; Agus, Jacob; and Friedman, Theodore. "Responsum on the Sabbath." ''Proceedings of the Rabbinical Assembly'' 14 (1950), 112-137</ref><ref>Klein, Isaac. ''A Guide to Jewish Religious Practice.'' The Jewish Theological Seminary of America: New York, 1979.</ref> reject altogether the arguments for prohibiting the use of electricity.
=== Automobiles ===
{{main|Driving during Shabbat}}
Orthodox and many Conservative authorities completely prohibit the use of automobiles on Shabbat as a violation of multiple categories include "igniting a fire" (category 37), "extinguishing a fire" (category 36) and "transferring between domains" (category 39). However, the Conservative movement's [[Committee on Jewish Law and Standards]] permits driving to a synagogue on Shabbat, as an emergency measure, on grounds that if Jews lost contact with synagogue life they would become lost to the Jewish people.
A halachically-authorized [[Shabbat module]] added to an [[Amigo]] power operated vehicle may be used on the observance of Shabbat for those with walking limitations. Manufactured by Zomet Institute in Israel, each Shabbat module application is individually inspected and certified by a Zomet representative. Intended only for individuals whose limited mobility is dependent on a POV/scooter or automobile consistently throughout the week.
===Shomer Shabbat===
{{Main|Shomer Shabbat}}
The term ''shomer shabbat'' is used for a person (or organization) who adheres to Shabbat laws consistently. The ''shomer shabbat'' is an archetype mentioned in Jewish songs (e.g., ''Baruch El Elyon'') and the intended audience for various treatises on Jewish law and practice for the Sabbath day (e.g., ''Shmirat Shabbat ke-Hilkhata'').
===Extenuating circumstances===
In the event that a human [[life]] is in danger (''[[pikuach nefesh]]''), a Jew is not only allowed, but required, to violate any Shabbat law that stands in the way of saving that person. (In fact, any law in Judaism, excluding murder, idolatry, and forbidden sexual acts, must be broken if doing so will help save the life of one who is in grave danger.) The concept of life being in danger is interpreted broadly: for example, it is mandated that one violate Shabbat to bring a woman in active labor to a hospital. Lesser, rabbinic restrictions are often violated under much less urgent circumstances (a patient who is ill but not critically so).
Various other legal principles closely delineate which activities constitute desecration of the Shabbat. Examples of these include the principle of ''shinui'' ("change" or "deviation") - a severe violation becomes a non-severe one if the prohibited act was performed in a way that would be considered abnormal on a weekday. Examples include writing with one's non-dominant hand (according to many rabbinic authorities). This legal principle operates ''bedi'avad'' (''[[ex post facto]]'') and does not cause a forbidden activity to be permitted barring extenuating circumstances.
===Technology in the service of Shabbat===
When there is an urgent human or medical need which is not life-threatening, it is possible to perform seemingly "forbidden" acts by modifying the relevant technology to such an extent that no law is actually violated. An example is the "[[Sabbath elevator]]". In this mode, an elevator will stop automatically at every floor, allowing people to step on and off without anyone having to press any buttons, which would normally be needed to work. ([[Regenerative brake|Regenerative braking]] is also disabled if it is normally used, shunting energy collected from downward travel, and thus the gravitational potential energy of passengers, into a [[resistor]] network.) This prevents "violation" of the Sabbath prohibition against doing "useful work." Many rabbinical authorities consider the use of such elevators by those who are otherwise capable as a "violation" of the Sabbath, with such workarounds being for the benefit of the frail and handicapped and not being in the spirit of the day.
Many observant Jews avoid the prohibition of "carrying" in the absence of an [[eruv]] by making their [[Key (lock)|keys]] into a [[tie bar]], or part of a [[Belt (clothing)|belt]] buckle or [[brooch]]. The key thereby becomes a legitimate article of [[clothing]] or [[Jewellery|jewelry]], which may be worn, rather than carried.
In recent years, the [[Shabbat lamp]] has been developed to allow a light in a room to be turned on/off at will while the electricity remains on. A special mechanism blocks out the light when the off position is desired without violating Shabbat.
===Reform and Reconstructionist views===
Adherents of [[Reform Judaism]] and [[Reconstructionist Judaism]], generally speaking, believe that it is up to the individual Jew to determine whether to follow those prohibitions on Shabbat or not. For example, some Jews might find writing or other activities (such as cooking) for leisure and enjoyment purposes to be an enjoyable activity that enhances Shabbat and its holiness, and therefore encourage such practices. Many Reform Jews believe that what constitutes "work" is different for each person; thus only what the person considers "work" is forbidden. [http://www.shamash.org/lists/scj-faq/HTML/faq/18-04-17.html]
On the more rabbinically traditional side of Reform and Reconstructionism, it is believed that these halakhot in general may be valid, but it is up to each individual to decide how and when to apply said laws. Thus one can find a small fraction of Jews in the Progressive Jewish community who accept these laws in much the same way that Orthodox Jews do.
==Permitted activities==
The following activities are encouraged on Shabbat among all [[Jewish denominations]]:
*Spending Shabbat together with others;
*[[Synagogue]] attendance for [[Jewish services|prayers]];
*Visiting family and friends (within walking distance);
*Hosting guests (''hachnasat orchim'', "hospitality");
*Singing ''[[zemirot]]'', special songs for the Shabbat meal (commonly sung during or after a meal).
*Reading, studying and discussing [[Torah]] and commentary, [[Mishnah]] and [[Talmud]], learning some [[Halakha]] and [[Midrash]].
*Sexual relations between husband and wife, particularly on Friday night. (The [[Shulkhan Arukh]] describes this as a "double [[mitzvah]]," as it combines [[procreation]] with enjoyment of Shabbat, both of which are considered to be mandated by the Torah.)
==Special Sabbaths==
{{main|Special Sabbaths}}
The [[Special Sabbaths]] are associated with important [[Jewish holiday]]s that they precede: For example, Shabbat Hagadol, which is the Shabbat before Passover, Shabbat Zachor is the Shabbat before Purim, and Shabbat Teshuva is the Shabbat before Yom Kippur.
==Adaptation by other religions==
The principle of a weekly day of prayer and rest, derived from Shabbat, was eventually adopted and instituted by other religions as well. [[Christianity]] moved observance of the Sabbath from Saturday to Sunday in the process of its theological and historical split from Judaism. The [[Seventh-day Adventist Church]] and the [[True Jesus Church]] observe the Sabbath from Friday sunset to Saturday sunset as mentioned in Bible, as do "Seventh-Day" factions of other Christian denominations, such as [[Seventh Day Baptist]]s and [[Church of God|Churches of God]]. None of these religions currently keep Shabbat in the Jewish way.{{Fact|date=February 2007}} .
==See also==
*[[Baqashot]]
*[[Jewish holidays]]
*[[Jewish services#Shabbat|Jewish services for the Sabbath]]
*[[Moed]]
*[[Sabbath breaking]]
*[[Sabbath in Christianity]]
*[[Sabbath mode]]
*[[Shabbos goy]]
==References==
<references/>
== Further reading ==
*''The Modern Jewish Mom's Guide to Shabbat" [[Meredith Jacobs]],HarperCollins Publishers
*''The Sabbath'' [[Abraham Joshua Heschel]]
*''The Sabbath: A Guide to Its Understandings and Observance'' Dayan [[Isadore Grunfeld]], Philipp Feldheim Inc.
*''A Guide to Jewish Religious Practice'' [[Isaac Klein]], Ktav, 1992
*''The [[Artscroll]] Siddur'' Ed. [[Nosson Scherman]], Mesorah Publications
*''The [[Encyclopaedia Judaica]],'' entry on "Shabbat", Keter Publishing House Ltd
*''[[Siddur Sim Shalom]] for Shabbat and Festivals'' Ed. Leonard S. Cahan, The [[Rabbinical Assembly]] and the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism
*''[[Siddur Sim Shalom]]'' Ed. [[Jules Harlow]], The [[Rabbinical Assembly]] and the [[United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism]]
*''Sabbath - Day of Eternity'' by Rabbi [[Aryeh Kaplan]] - [http://www.ou.org/publications/kaplan/shabbat/default.htm online version].
*''The Laws of Shabbat (A 37-part self study course)'' Rabbi Daniel Schloss - [http://www.aish.com/shabbatlaws/selfstudycourse/default.asp here]
==External links==
{{commonscat|Shabbat}}
*[http://www.chabad.org/generic.asp?AID=253215 Online Shabbat Guide]
*[http://shamash.org/lists/scj-faq/HTML/faq/07-index.html FAQ about Shabbat] shamash.org
*[http://www.askmoses.com/qa_list.html?h=201 FAQ about Shabbat] askmoses.com
*[http://www.chabad.org/article.asp?AID=6226 Candle Lighting Times for Shabbat World Wide]
*[http://molad.palmcrust.com/ Molad] - [[Freeware]] Jewish Calendar with Shabbat candle lighting times for [[Mobiles]].
*[http://www.ou.org/chagim/shabbat/ Information on Shabbat from the Union of Orthodox Congregations]
*[http://www.torah.org/advanced/shulchan-aruch/ocarchives.html a more detailed summary of the laws of Shabbat] from Torah.org, based on the [[Shulchan Aruch]]
*[http://www.aish.com/shabbatlaws/selfstudycourse/default.asp The Laws of Shabbat (A 37-part self study course) by Rabbi Daniel Schloss]
*[http://www.shemayisrael.co.il/publicat/schwartz/a15.htm Honoring Shabbat]
*[http://www.aish.com/pathways/externallinks/videolink_shabbatcandles.asp Shabbat Candle Lighting Instructions]
*[http://www.timetolight.com/Default.aspx Shabbat Candle Lighting Times]
<br/>{{Jewish holidays}}
{{Time in religion and mythology}}
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