What is it really!
Before I get into the whole story and why’s, when’s, and where’s of Shabbat, I think it’s important to talk about the day in secular terms for those that are at this site seeking understanding and knowledge or perhaps to better know and understand a person they have in their lives that celebrates Shabbat. This is not official, it’s feelpinion….
Shabbat had to have been created to lend importance to the social connections between family and community. Shabbat brings us together for prayer, yes, but it’s not really the reason or the importance of the celebration. Shabbat encourages, and some of might say, enforces the bonds required for health living and the healthy maintenance of relationships both within the family and in the community.
What is unique about Shabbat?
in religious cultures is it written into Jewish/Hebrew law that it must be celebrated. While other faiths and their doctrines speak of family and community behaviors, the Shabbat and the rules supporting it are created and designed to encourage togetherness.
Why it could be really important
So, how many times in history has it happened that meaning and aged old wisdom was lost or misplaced. How often has it happened that upon the loss or misplacement of this wisdom, history does what history does best, repeat itself. The importance of Shabbat could be that it reminds us we are humans and through our days and through our nights, we are not alone and the connection and interactions we have with each other are more important, should be respected and encouraged over distractions and non-connections such as texting and cellphones which ARE NOT PERMITTED.
Jewish law (halacha) accords Shabbat (שבת) the status of a holiday, a day of rest celebrated on the seventh day of each week. Jewish law defines a day as ending at either sundown or nightfall, when the next day then begins.
- Shabbat begins just before sundown Friday night. Its start is marked by the lighting of Shabbat candles and the recitation of Kiddush over a cup of wine; and
- Shabbat ends at nightfall Saturday night. Its conclusion is marked by the prayer known as Havdalah.
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