Shabbat - Sabbath - Shabbos

The Romans did not realize how advanced the Sabbath institution was. They ridiculed the Jews for wasting away a seventh of their lives in idleness. The Sabbath also interfered with the institution of slavery. The master was not in complete control of his slave; for one day at least the slave was subject to God's will and not to the will of his master.

However, the intrinsic value of the Sabbath goes much deeper than mere abstention from work. Man (and woman) is bidden to "remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy." He is to give it over to spiritual pursuits, to make the most out of this period of physical rest by elevating himself spiritually and intellectually. He is to set it aside as a day to be observed on a different dimension from that of the usual workaday week-for prayer, joy, and rest.

The many prohibitions connected with the Sabbath are intended to protect the spirituality of the day rather than to create a mood of solemnity for the observant Jew. Our rabbis ordained that funerals were not permitted on the Sabbath; mourning was interrupted so that the Sabbath joy would not be diminished even in an hour of anguish.

Comfort and pleasure are part of Sabbath observance. The Jew is enjoined to sanctify the Sabbath by eating choice meals and wearing his or her best garments. It is a day when both body and soul partake in the rejoicing.

The Sabbath (or Shabbat, as it is called in Hebrew) is one of the best known and least understood of all Jewish observances. People who do not observe Shabbat think of it as a day filled with stifling restrictions, or as a day of prayer like the Christian Sabbath. But to those who observe Shabbat, it is a precious gift from G-d, a day of great joy eagerly awaited throughout the week, a time when we can set aside all of our weekday concerns and devote ourselves to higher pursuits. In Jewish literature, poetry and music, Shabbat is described as a bride or queen, as in the popular Shabbat hymn Lecha Dodi Likrat Kallah (come, my beloved, to meet the [Sabbath] bride). It is said "more than Israel has kept Shabbat, Shabbat has kept Israel."

Shabbat is the most important ritual observance in Judaism. It is the only ritual observance instituted in the Ten Commandments. It is also the most important special day, even more important than Yom Kippur. This is clear from the fact that more aliyoth (opportunities for congregants to be called up to the Torah) are given on Shabbat than on any other day.

Shabbat is primarily a day of rest and spiritual enrichment. The word "Shabbat" comes from the root Shin-Bet-Tav, meaning to cease, to end, or to rest

On Friday afternoon, observant Jews leave the office to begin Shabbat preparations. The mood is much like preparing for the arrival of a special, beloved guest: the house is cleaned, the family bathes and dresses up, the best dishes and tableware are set, a festive meal is prepared. In addition, everything that cannot be done during Shabbat must be set up in advance: lights and appliances must be set (or timers placed on them, if the household does so), the light bulb in the refrigerator must be removed or unscrewed, so it does not turn on when you open it, and preparations for the remaining Shabbat meals must be made.

Shabbat, like all Jewish days, begins at sunset, because in the story of creation in Genesis Ch. 1, you will notice that it says, "And there was evening, and there was morning, one day." From this, we infer that a day begins with evening, that is, sunset. For the precise time when Shabbat begins and ends in your area, consult any Jewish calendar.

Shabbat candles are lit and a blessing is recited no later than eighteen minutes before sunset. This ritual, performed by the woman of the house, officially marks the beginning of Shabbat. Two candles are lit, representing the two commandments: zachor (remember) and shamor (observe).

The family then attends a brief evening service (45 minutes - that's brief by Jewish standards.