Holidays - Shabbat

According to a midrash, God once said, “I have a precious jewel in my possession which I wish to give to Israel. And Shabbat is its name.” No Jew who has ever truly tasted the delight of Shabbat could argue with that description. If anything, it might be an understatement.

To a person looking from the outside, Shabbat might appear to be restrictive. A cursory glance at its traditional prohibitions might lead one to assume that it is day lacking joy and spirit. Yet experienced from within, it is just the reverse. Shabbat is a glorious release from weekday concerns and routine pressures. It is a day of peace, tranquility, inner joy and spiritual uplift accompanied by song and delight.

Shabbat is a precious treasure. It is a time for families to gather around their dining room tables. A time of sharing, resting, singing, walking, eating, praying and loving. Truly, God has given no more precious gift to Israel!

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