Observance OF Shabbat AND Principal Beliefs PDF

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OBSERVANCE OF SHABBAT AND PRINCIPAL BELIEFS Shabbat is the seventh day of the week, according to the Hebrew Scripture when God stopped creating the world. The Sabbath Day extends from sunset on Friday to sunset on Saturday – a day of relaxation which is a gesture of respect to God and a gift from Him. Praying, feasting and spending time with one’s family are important on this day. The Sabbath is • • •

a weekly reminder of God’s grace towards the world, a Holy Day when all ordinary activity is forbidden a day devoted to God and a special set of rituals.

Principal Belief/Belief Belief in the one God, creator of the Universe

Understandings ✓ A belief in the oneness of God ✓ Found in the Hebrew scriptures and forms the basis of the central Jewish prayer - the Shema: Hear, O Israel, God is our God, God the One and Only. (Deuteronomy 6:4) ✓ The attributes of God

Relevance to Shabbat

Evidence

We usher in the peace and sanctity of Shabbat by lighting candles every Friday evening.

Blessed are You, Lord our G-d, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments, and commanded us to kindle the light of the holy Shabbat.

The candles are lit eighteen minutes before sunset and mark the commencement of Shabbat in the home. The mitzvah of lighting candles has been given especially to women, but it is an obligation for every home,

✓ the clan-God of Abraham and his descendants ✓ the God of the Land of Israel, where by the covenant is inextricably linked to the Land ✓ a universal God, the creator of the universe ✓ God is omnipotent (all powerful)

Then light the candles, Draw your hands toward yourself, over the flames, bringing the warmth of the light within. Cover your eyes and recite the blessing.(Pray to God)

By your love, rabbis and teachers, Blessed are You, God, our God, King of the universe, Who creates the fruit of the vine……

✓ God is omnipresent (all present) ✓ God is omniscient ( all knowing) ✓ God is justice ✓ God is personal and interacts with the world and human beings. (Genesis 1:26) ✓ God is afforded no material representation, indicating He is beyond material form.

Shabbat is actually a celebration of the Creator and His Creation. G-d’s creation of the world follows a seven-day cycle, which peaks each Shabbat and begins anew. At Creation, the first thing that was brought into being was light. Therefore, it is appropriate to kindle lights at the start of Shabbat in commemoration of the first light that was created. Light is referred to as peace, because it gives us the ability to distinguish between different things, and thus to perceive the uniqueness of every person.

The time of candle-lighting is considered particularly auspicious for private prayer. Women have traditionally prayed, as they stand with eyes closed, for health, happiness, children who will illuminate the world with Torah, and the ultimate Redemption which will be ushered in by the Messiah.

Kiddush – sanctification of the

sacramental wine

Divine Moral Law

✓ The sacred texts of Judaism contain the moral law ✓ Rabbinic tradition identifies 613 commandments in the Torah

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Wine is very special and has its own blessing. Wine is used to show the holiness of the Sabbath when it comes in on Friday night (kiddush) and when it goes out on Saturday night (havdalah). The English word wine may derive from the Hebrew yayin.

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The blessing over wine is: “Blessed are you, Lord our God, King of the universe, creator of the fruit of the vine.”

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The kiddush cup is a special goblet set aside for the blessing of the wine.

The observance of Shabbat was instituted in the Ten Commandments given to Moses.

The blessing over wine is: “Blessed are you, Lord our God, King of the universe, creator of the fruit of the vine.”

Remember the Sabbath day to sanctify it (Hebrew: Zakhor et yom ha-Shabbat l'kad'sho) -Exodus 20:8

✓ Orthodox Jews believe these laws in the Torah, were revealed by God to human beings and are therefore “divine”. Non orthodox branches of Judaism believe these laws to be divinely inspired.

Shabbat involves two interrelated commandments: to remember (zakhor) Shabbat, and to observe (shamor) Shabbat.

✓ Orthodox Judaism does not expect all people to live according to all the laws.

It also means to remember the significance of Shabbat, both as a commemoration of creation and as a commemoration of our freedom from slavery in Egypt.

✓ Some commandments do apply to Jews and non-Jews – Noahide Laws recorded in the Talmud and comprise of: 1. Prohibition of idolatry 2. Prohibition of murder 3. Prohibition of theft 4. Prohibition of sexual promiscuity – adultery and incest 5. Prohibition of taking God’s name lightly 6. Prohibition of cruelty to animals 7. Requirement to establish a legal system.

It also means to remember the significance of Shabbat, both as a commemoration of creation and as a commemoration of our freedom from slavery in Egypt. Deuteronomy 5:15

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Covenant

✓ The covenant that was established at Mount Sinai is considered a renewal of the Covenant between God and Abraham, and part of the fulfilment of the original covenant. And I will walk among you, and will be your God, and you shall be My people. Leviticus 26:12 ✓ The covenant indicated dietary laws and ethical standards that confirmed the special relationship between God and the Hebrew people.

The Words of the Hebrew Scriptures Torah

✓ Hebrew Scriptures ✓ God’s word used to guide the life of the adherent ✓ Prescribed the observance of Shabbat ✓

✓ Reading from the Torah is essential on the Sabbath, often at synagogues

Commandment – Keep Holy the Sabbath...