Essay On Shabbat

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The monotheistic religion of Judaism observes Shabbat as one of the most important holy days as it is the only one to be mentioned in the Ten Commandments. It consists of several interrelated components of rest, remembrance, commandments and expression of gratitude for creation and freedom from slavery. During this twenty-five hour gift from God, Jews are commanded to set aside their weekly concerns to emphasise a day of devotion to one’s family, God, rest and studying the Torah. As a time of spiritual enrichment, it is expected that one refrains from all work, to bring joy to the ritual and sanctify the Shabbat. Each of the dual commandments, to remember and to observe, are linked extensively to the Torah, Talmud and Commandments divinely revealed through one God. History of the story of Creation in Genesis and Exodus out of slavery in Egypt for the people of Israel is remembered to reference the Covenant, Moral Law and prohibitions as principle beliefs of Judaism. The eagerly awaited weekly rituals of Shabbat distinguish a day of rest from the working week to bring a sense of spirituality, belonging and gratitude to God in a dynamic society.

Shabbat originates from the books of Genesis and Exodus in the Torah, which form the first commandment, Zakhor, meaning to remember. God created the Earth, night and day, plants, animals and humans from nothing for six days and on the seventh day; God finished his creation and rested. “And God blessed the seventh day, and hallowed it; because that in it he rested from all his work which God had created and made.” Gen. 2:3. Melachah is a term used to refer to work that is creative or modifies ones environment, therefore the creation story is a quintessential example, God ceased his work of ...

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...eligious week for Jews. As one of the most important rituals, it is observed throughout the three major variants of Orthodox, Progressive and Conservative. The dual commandments focus on remembering God as a presence, creator, provider and liberator from slavery for the chosen people of Israel. By observing this twenty-five hour ritual, the importance and relevance of the sacred texts of the Torah and Talmud are recognised. The Moral law and Mitzvot are complied with to form a link between the creation and the Exodus of Egypt, to use rituals of blessings as gratitude to God for these events and the possibility of a day of spiritual enrichment. A day of rest and worship, the Shabbat is a sacred time of each week to truly connect to God and one’s family, for a sense of belonging, remembrance, observance and recognise one God’s and religions impact on one’s life.

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