What Is Shabbat?

“The people of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, observing the Sabbath in every generation as

a covenant for all time. It is a sign forever between Me and the people of Israel, for in six

days the Eternal God made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day God rested from all

God’s labors.”

Exodus 31:16­-17

Shabbat is the Jewish Sabbath‐‐though the English word actually came from Shabbat. It's a day of

rest and enjoyment at the end of every week that religious people undertake in imitation of God, who

rested on the seventh day of creation. Traditional Jews refrain from all work on Shabbat, reserving it

instead for prayer, study, visiting friends and family, large meals, pleasant walks and naps. It's

pronounced Shah‐baht, though some spell it Shabbos and pronounce it shah‐biss.

Shabbat lasts from just before sundown on Friday until an hour after sundown on Saturday evening.

The greetings for Shabbat are "Shabbat Shalom," or in Yiddish, "Gut Shabbos." (It sounds like "good

Shabbos" and that's what it means.)

From the InterfaithFamily.com Guide to Shabbat for Interfaith Families


Service Section: Psalms, Poetry & Songs 
Source: InterfaithFamily