The Shabbat
In Exodus 20:8-11 we find the fourth, and longest, of the Ten Commandments. Like most of these statutes, they are generally paraphrased for the sake of simplification or memorization, so this Commandment is most commonly known as:
Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. ~ Exodus 20:8 NASB
What’s interesting is that rather than it being presented as a prohibition, we are being asked to “Remember” the Sabbath. This verse is followed by short list of instructions for what it means to “keep it holy”, the word holy of course means ‘set apart’ much like how we view holi-days or holy-days. Other than a few verses outlining some specific requirements for Sabbath observance — primarily refraining from work and giving rest to, or releasing the burdens of even the animals who might labor for us — there is very little detail in the text specifying what this remembrance should look like.
In the Genesis 1:1-2:3 creation account we find the first mention of this “Sabbath” or “Shabbat” on the seventh day. In the preceding days there is a pattern of identification distinguishing each day from the others: “There was evening and there was morning day one.” (or two, three, four, etc.), each day beginning in the evening and ending the next. Because of this, the Orthodox Jewish people observe the Sabbath from evening until evening beginning on Friday at dusk and ending on Saturday, also at dusk. Saturday being the seventh day of the week, or Shabbat. Part of this observance includes a blessing of the children. The father will sit in his chair after the weekly Shabbat supper, and call each of his children up to himself, lay his hand on the child and recite the priestly benediction over them; as well as other traditional words and perhaps some personal statements of encouragement to the child.
‘The Lord bless you, and keep you; The Lord cause His face to shine on you, And be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His face to you, And give you peace.’
~ Numbers 6:24-26 NASB
This is a beautiful custom; the weekly blessing and giving recognition to a child in view of their family, and I imagine a profound thing for the father as well. Particularly important in our modern day when children can be subjected to secular demotions of life, value, purpose, identity and meaning. But where does this custom come from? It isn’t specifically defined as part of the Shabbat observance in Scripture anywhere that I’ve read.
Years ago when I attempted to translate the Hebrew Scripture, as I came across the word “Shabbat” (rest) in Genesis 2; I struggled with the notion of an All Powerful God somehow needing to take a break. Doesn’t God have inexhaustible power and strength? I examined the various possible translations of this word in my Strong’s Concordance to see if I could get a more complete understanding of the scope and meaning of this “Shabbat”. Certainly rest is one of the options, and arguably the most appropriate translation for the fourth Commandment. As I investigated further however, it could also mean something like ‘sit down’, or ‘abide’, or ‘cease’. I ultimately settled on the word… ‘settled’ for my translation of this seventh day completion of God’s work. This is hardly a revolutionary or illuminating alternative to ‘rest’ I admit, but considering this word so carefully led me to come to a sort of realization. Is it possible, that this call to “Remember” is referring to this very first Shabbat, where God Himself as the Father of all creation, sat in the midst of His work, and bestowed blessings on each of them, one by one? Certainly this is my own concoction and isn’t explicitly described in the narrative, but it also doesn’t seem inconsistent with God’s character as revealed in the text. God specifically blesses his creatures in this story, looks upon all of His creation declaring it “Good, very good”; and as such demonstrates an appreciation and validation of the things He has brought into being. So it’s not unthinkable that this is indeed the source of this tradition of blessing.
We can also find a parallel in this creation account, and the priestly blessing recited to the children. For each day of creation we read that God “saw” or “looked upon” what He had made and calls it “good”, giving recognition to or blessing what’s been made. In the blessing we see God turning His Face toward the blessed. The blessing itself is for God to see or to look upon the child with favor, imparting His grace and peace to them.
“So they shall invoke My name on the sons of Israel, and then I will bless them.”
~ Numbers 6:27 NASB
This is kind of a stunning idea to think about, it gives us a glimpse of God’s nature and character and shows that He has a true adoration for His creation. Much like a father who loves and seeks a genuine relationship with his children. This may be an erroneous conclusion, like many others in my process of translating Scripture, but it’s certainly something worth considering. Is this Commandment asking us to reach out and bless one another to provide us with an example of God’s own desire to draw His children near and bless them? Why does it matter to Him that we have a day of rest so much that He would establish it as a Law for us?
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