Shabbat

One of the elements of ONEG SHABBAT is to have (and enjoy) three meals on Shabbat. This idea is linked to the pasuk from this week’s sedra (16:25): “And Moshe said: Eat it (the Manna) today, for today is Shabbat to G-d; today you will not find it in the field.” The threefold use of [...]

“I have a precious gift in my treasury,” said G-d to Moshe; “Shabbat is its name; go and tell Israel I wish to present it to them.” (Masechet Shabbat 10b) “A semblance of the World-to-Come is the Day of Shabbat.” (Shabbat Zemirot) Material in this section is abstracted, with permission, from “The Sabbath,” by Dayan [...]

“Whoever is careful with the observance of Shabbat, will be forgiven for all his sins, even idolatry” (Masechet Shabbat 118b) “If the Children of Israel would observe one Shabbat properly, the Mashiach would immediately come” (Yerushalmi Taanit 1,1) Importance of Melacha Prohibition Dayan Grunfeld explains the importance of the prohibition of Melacha on Shabbat: “We [...]

The Virtual Reader will note that there are “Notes” attached to many, if not all, the definitions of particular “melachot.” This entire chapter is taken, with permission, from the book “SABBATH Day of Eternity” by Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan (available separately, or included in the “The Aryeh Kaplan Anthology II,” published by the NCSY (National Conference [...]

The concept of “Melachah,” activity which is prohibited to a Jew on the Day of Shabbat, as noted in the Overview to Shabbat Section, means purposeful, creative interactions with nature. Let us explore some additional implications of the term “Melachah.” The idea of being purposeful, in this context, implies that that the act in question, [...]

Yom HaShishi – The Sixth “Day” Just as the human being needs a transition, a distinction, or “havdalah,” between “kodesh,” that which is holy, and that which is “chol,” or profane, so does he need a transition when he steps up from the level of the profane to that of the holy. When one speaks [...]