Shabbat is the Hebrew word שַׁבָּת based on the verb shavat שָׁבַת meaning “He rested”.
In the very beginning of the Bible, in the Creation story of Genesis, the Sabbath day is created and sanctified as a day of rest. Scripture describes how God created the universe and its inhabitants in six days. The Creator rested on the seventh day and sanctified it; God set it aside forever as a holy day of rest. The Sabbath day is specified as the last day of the week. It begins like each of the days previous—in the evening with night and day following, basically sundown to sundown. The days are described with a definite order of dusk preceding dawn; “the evening and the morning” were what constituted a full day. Sabbath, like the other holidays discussed here, all begin on the evening on what seems to be the day prior. Thus, this weekly Sabbath is an observance beginning every Friday evening and extending until Saturday evening.
One does not have to be Jewish to enjoy the sanctity of the seventh-day Sabbath, the crowning day of creation. Since the creation of humankind (not just Jewish-kind), God has set aside this special time as holy. He rested on this day Himself in a divine example of cherishing the day. In a very physical sense, resting and observing this day as one of repose provides healing for everyone physically, emotionally, psychologically and spiritually. Since even the animals are to be spared work in honor of this day, how much more should all of humanity benefit?
The Sabbath is not just Jewish, as it is God’s day—this same God of the Christian as of the Jew. Therefore, we are not simply to rest, but to rest in Him. Simply lounging around in pajamas does not necessarily capture the true spirit of the day. During the six workdays of the week, we are immersed in the physical world around us. Things change on Sabbath. On this holy, day, we are instead involved with the spiritual world. On the six days of the work week, we are in the office, administrative buildings or marketplace; on Sabbath, we are spending time with God and family. Sabbath is a day for introspection. We have this time especially for communing with God and taking stock of our spirituality.
HOLIDAY NOSHES (SNACKS)
Enjoy the Challah tradition with the simple Challah recipe below. Remember to always make two loaves. The aroma of baking Challah is a wonderful way to get yourself and family into the mode of welcoming the Sabbath.
Both of the following recipes are regularly eaten on Shabbat, Pesach and other feasts.