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What is
Shabbat...and why is it observed?
The mitzvah (commandment) of Shabbat is unique
among the Ten Commandments, encompassing ritual, outlook and
transcendent experience.
Two reasons are given for the observance of
Shabbat: that on this day God rested from the work of Creation
(Exodus 20:11) and the remembrance of the redemption from slavery
and the exodus from Egypt (Deuteronomy 5:15).
What do these tell us about the observance of
Shabbat? That we are to be God-like in our behavior, stepping back
from our labors to appreciate the world around us. That the
observance of Shabbat recalls the freedom from slavery, our
interconnectedness with the Divine, and the luxury of living a
Jewish life.
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What does it mean to observe Shabbat? How
can you bring these experiences to fruition?
The Torah tells us that the seventh day is set
aside, special, because on it God rested from the labors of Creation
(see Genesis 2:2). Created in God's image, we are enjoined to set
aside Shabbat as different as well. How? By spending time with
community and friends, by shifting our focus from the mundane to the
sublime, by remembering on this day that we are part of creation
rather than creators ourselves.
Try to set aside Shabbat as a day without the
cares of everyday. Try to make Shabbat special by using it for
spiritual and non-academic pursuits, by carving out this time in the
week to be peaceful and restorative.
From the moment on Friday night when we light
the candles which signify that Shabbat has begun, Shabbat is a day
for community. We welcome the arrival of Shabbat in community
through prayer, we recite the Kiddush together, we share a festive
meal, we sing songs of celebration.
On Shabbat day this theme continues with tefilah
(prayer) and Torah (reading and studying) and more song. Shabbat is
a wonderful time to read, take walks and visit with friends (and
nap, though this is not a community activity!). It can be
challenging to set aside this time during your busy college career,
but it is well worth it.
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Part of how we make Shabbat special comes from
the things we don't do — like leaving the computer off, keeping our
wallets stowed away and eating foods we have prepared in advance.
The types of work from which we refrain are
derived from the 39 types of work which were halted on Shabbat
during the construction of the Mishkan, the portable sanctuary in
the desert. This frees us up to appreciate the wonders of creation
and links us with the experiences of our ancestors. It is the
combination of the things we do with the things we don't do which
sets aside Shabbat and gives it holiness.
Some campuses come with ready-made Shabbat
experiences, like Hillel-sponsored Shabbat dinners, one or more
minyanim and communities with which to share them. There your only
stumbling block is finding your niche. It isn't always easy, but
there is a community there just waiting for you.
Other campuses pose a greater challenge to
Shabbat observance. Here you will have to do the work of building
community too. Find a few like-minded friends, share a Shabbat meal
in someone's home, spend time together studying a favorite text, in
Hebrew or in English.
Draw on the resources of the Jewish Student
Organization or Hillel (http://www.hillel.org)
and contact KOACH to become connected with campuses throughout North
America and Israel. We're here to help you.
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