Describe how and explain why Jews celebrate the Sabbath.

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Georgina Diamond Shabbat Describe how and explain why Jews celebrate the SabbathThe word Shabbat means ‘to rest’ or to ‘refrain from any creative activity’.  We learn in Genesis 2:1-3 that G-d created the world in six days and rested on the seventh.  By keeping the seventh day of the week free from any creative activity we are imitating G-d – imitatio Dei.  What is meant when it is said that to celebrate Shabbat we must refrain from any creative activity is that we must refrain from doing any of the 39 melachot that were done when building the Mishkan.  The Mishkan is seen as a mini-world and so like G-d ‘rested’ after six days of Creation, we too must refrain from any of the creative activity that was done when building the Mishkan.  Shabbat,
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however, is not just about negativity, when we refrain from doing anything.  It is also a day for family and joy.  On the Friday night, we celebrate bringing in Shabbat with Kiddush.  Kiddush means sanctifying.  The ceremony of Kiddush sets apart the time of Shabbat and other festivals.  The wine drank at the Kiddush is used to symbolise a sweet and joyful day ahead and a blessing is said over challot.  The challot reminds us of the time when a double portion of manna fell in the desert on the Friday night so that the Jews wouldn’t have to collect ...

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