What is Shabbat?
Religious Studies: KS3, topic 1.2.23
What is Shabbat?
Shabbat is a day of rest Jews observe from sunset on Friday until nightfall on Sunday.
The first Shabbat
- Shabbat is an important part of a Jew's life.
- It has unique rules that must be followed, and activities that are forbidden.
- The very first Shabbat took place at the end of the sixth day of creation.
- God rested from creating the world - although he did not rest because he was tired.
- By observing and celebrating Shabbat Jews are acting like God.
The rules of Shabbat
- Jews do not change the world in any way on Shabbat.
- Shabbat runs from sunset on Friday until nightfall on Saturday.
- The day is about rest from creating new things.
- Whatever a Jew needs must be prepared before Shabbat starts.
- Rest does not mean avoiding things that make you tired or sweaty.
Another reason for Shabbat
- There is a second reason for Shabbat which relates to the Exodus from slavery in Egypt.
- Only free people can choose to rest and not work.
- Therefore when Jews rest on Shabbat they remember God’s love for saving their ancestors from slavery.
- Shabbat is so important that it is the only festival mentioned in the Ten Commandments.
Test yourself on What is Shabbat?
When did the first Shabbat occur?
When is Shabbat observed?
What can be done on Shabbat?