What is the Sabbath and Why do We Observe It?

The Sabbath is a day of rest and worship observed by the Jewish people and many religious denominations throughout the world. It is biblically mandated in the Ten Commandments, where God tells people to “remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.” The Sabbath is celebrated on the seventh day of every week, from sundown Friday evening to sundown Saturday evening. In Jewish culture, the ninth day of the month of Av and other notable dates are occasionally observed as Sabbath days instead. For those of the Christian faith, the celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus on Easter Sunday has traditionally been regarded as the day of rest, although there is no official day mandated by the Bible.

The Biblical Origins of the Sabbath

Many believe that the roots of the Sabbath can be traced back to creation and the story of Adam and Eve in Genesis. God labored for six days to create the world and then, on the seventh day, rested. He commanded that all people should do the same and “keep the Sabbath day holy.” This commandment provided the basis for the Sabbath and the observance of a day of worship and rest that occurs every seven days throughout the week. Throughout the Old Testament, we can see an emphasis on the importance of remembering and observing the Sabbath, as it became a permanent part of Jewish life and culture.

The Importance of Resting and Worship

The Sabbath serves two primary purposes in Jewish culture. Firstly, it provides a period of rest from work and other worldly concerns and a time for spiritual reflection and contemplation. Secondly, it is a time for gathering together to worship and praise God. The commandment to remember the Sabbath day as a holy day serves to remind us to take time out of our busy lives to rest, reflect and refuel spiritually. It is an opportunity to focus on what is important and to connect with God and with one another.

The observance of the Sabbath in different cultures may vary, but the underlying theme remains the same. It is a day to cease from worldly labor and to direct all of our attention to the one, true God. It is a reminder of our dependence on Him and of the importance of carving out time for spiritual contemplation, rest and fellowship with our fellow believers. In this way, we honor the Lord and keep His commandment to “remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy.”