Bible references

Key NT Scriptures

• Acts 17:1-3
• Luke 4:16-21
  Click to retrieve Luke 4:16-21
• Mark 1:21-22
• Mark 2:24-28

Key OT Scriptures

• Deuteronomy 5:12
  Jewish Commentary
• Exodus 20:8
  Jewish Commentary
• Exodus 31:14-15
  Jewish Commentary
• Exodus 35:1-2
  Jewish Commentary
• Isaiah 56:1-7
  Click to retrieve Isaiah 56:1-7
  Jewish Commentary

Bible verses copyright: PUBLIC DOMAIN except in the United Kingdom, where a Crown Copyright applies to printing the KJV. See http://www.cambridge.org/about-us/who-we-are/queens-printers-patent

Commentary

Rabbi Michael Rudolph

Scripture speaks of keeping the Sabbath Day holy by abstaining from work, resting physically, and assembling for a holy convocation. Beyond those, it is well to remember that keeping the Sabbath Day holy means treating it as special, and setting it apart for God. That does not mean that we cannot engage in some things that are ordinary or recreational, but we need to use good judgment and maintain a Sabbath consciousness. One way of making the Sabbath special is to keep track of when it begins and when it ends. Jewish practice ushers in the Sabbath on Friday evening (before sundown) with the lighting of candles, Kiddush , prayer in either the home or synagogue, and enjoying a festive meal. There are traditionally three daytime services ( Shachrit , Musaf , and Minchah ) held on Shabbat , and the Shabbat is ended with Havdalah at sundown, after which begins the first day of the next work-week (albeit after sundown) with the evening service of ma'ariv . Within the wider Jewish community (and especially within the Orthodox community) there are other ways of making the Sabbath special as well. From the original Torah command to not light fires, Orthodox tradition has extended the uniqueness of the day to not turning on or off electric appliances including lights, and not driving cars (spark plugs make fire). In the same way, Torah is extended to not carrying things on one's person outside of one's home (not even a bible or siddur to the synagogue), and not spending money (if one does not carry it, one cannot spend it). In some communities, exceptions are made for those in the military and life-saving services. We who recognize the New Covenant have an additional depth of appreciation for the Sabbath's holiness because of what Hebrews 4:4-11 says about it: For there is a place where it is said, concerning the seventh day, "And God rested on the seventh day from all his works." And once more, our present text says, "They will not enter my rest." Therefore, since it still remains for some to enter it, and those who received the Good News earlier did not enter, he again fixes a certain day, "Today," saying through David, so long afterwards, in the text already given, "Today, if you hear God's voice, don't harden your hearts." For if Y'hoshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later of another "day." So there remains a Shabbat-keeping for God's people. For the one who has entered God's rest has also rested from his own works, as God did from his. Therefore, let us do our best to enter that rest; so that no one will fall short because of the same kind of disobedience.

Classical commentators

Maimonides states that the meaning of Exodus 20:8 is that we are to recite words proclaiming the greatness of the Sabbath day - the Kiddush at the beginning, and the Havdalah at the end. Meir agrees with Maimonides about hallowing the Sabbath with those particular words, and adds that we must recite the Kiddush prayer over either wine or bread. He also cites Isaiah 58:13 in calling the Sabbath a delight, and states that we must honor God by washing our hands and face with warm water, dressing in clean clothing, and eating a minimum of three meals. HaChinuch is in agreement about hallowing the Sabbath with words. He states that the Kiddush should be said over wine, but that the sages have allowed it to be said over bread if a man delights in bread more than wine. That notwithstanding, HaChinuch maintains that Havdalah must be conducted over wine.

Copyright © Michael Rudolph and Daniel C. Juster, The Law of Messiah, Torah from a New Covenant Perspective, Volume 1 & 2

Source and License

Based on The Law of Messiah - Torah from a New Covenant Perspective by Michael Rudolph and Daniel C. Juster.

Volume 1 & 2 | Volume 3

License: CC BY-ND 4.0 (Attribution required, NoDerivatives). CC BY-ND 4.0

Disclaimer: the original content is authored by Rabbi Michael Rudolph and Rabbi Daniel Juster; additional notes or implementation details on this website are not part of their original work and do not represent their views.

Record source: The Law of Messiah - Torah from a New Covenant Perspective - Volume 1 & 2

Copyright note: Copyright © Michael Rudolph and Daniel C. Juster, The Law of Messiah, Torah from a New Covenant Perspective, Volume 1 & 2