What is the meaning of the Sabbath?

[zastrakoza]

It is said the world was created in six days and on the 7th day, the Creator rested. A covenant was made with Israel that the 7th day should be sanctified and consecrated unto G-d. Why is this important? Why was Israel to observe the 7th day?

[Miss Hepburn]

To remember the greatness of G-d? To spend a day resting in His peace?
Acknowledging Him?

[Molearner]

Originally Posted by Miss Hepburn

To remember the greatness of G-d? To spend a day resting in His peace?
Acknowledging Him?

Miss Hepburn…..Zastrakoza,

I see it this way also……a time and a space for the creator and tha Spirit. It is said that nature abhors a void….but counter to this….it can be said that the Spirit abhors fullness……meaning we must empty ourselves to provide room for the divine and it aids if this effort is intentional and focused…..whether it be meditation or whatever…..but an emptying of our daily routine….just a thought….

[zastrakoza]

Originally Posted by Molearner

I see it this way also……

This is what I was taught and what I believed. However, I suspect there is something more. There is the repetitive aspect of the number 7. And also the interesting comment that Adam and Eve were sent out of the garden to till the ground.

I was wondering if the Rabbis would have some input? I'm sure it will surprise me. How does this fit in with the tree of life?

[Molearner]

Originally Posted by zastrakoza

And also the interesting comment that Adam and Eve were sent out of the garden to till the ground.

I was wondering if the Rabbis would have some input? I'm sure it will surprise me. How does this fit in with the tree of life?

Zastrakoza,

Very interesting comments and questions. Time permitting I will return to this. I also would love to hear from Rabbis on this……especially on the tree of life…..Kaballah maybe ?

[Molearner]

Some points to consider:

In the creation story there was a hierarchy.....
First....the plants and trees....no mention of the breath of life
Second...birds, beasts, creatures...living things...all with the breath of life
Genesis 1:28-29...In the Bible living denotes anything with blood...the blood
denotes life and also the soul....animals have souls(but not spirit for they
are not in the image of God)

Third....man....also made with the breath of life....and originally with spirit
(being made in the image of God)

Then the fall.....because of the disobedience....God curses the ground that man
came from....and utters the words....from dust to dust thou art

What happens ? That is when man was relegated to tilling the cursed ground and eating plants of the field....Genesis 3

With this perhaps we can understand Cain and Abel.....Cain's offering came from the cursed ground....Abel's from animals that had been given the breath of life from God.

In the Bible dust continued to have the same connotation that we give it....namely that it is dirty.....:) Thus the shaking off of the dust from being with Gentiles that the Jewish people associated with dirtiness.

No more for now......:)

[Miss Hepburn]

Ok, I'm going to say this very slowly:
The Administration has asked when quoting others here to only quote 2-3 sentences ..you can ref to the post # if you'd like.

[zastrakoza]

Sorry Miss Hepburn. I don't see where I'm going wrong. I'm doing as you ask and getting beat up for my efforts.

I have no idea what you are taking exception to. I truncate every quote very carefully.

Additionally I don't have any post numbers on my end. They start over on every response.

[WeiYing]

As a Gentile, I think Shabbat is the best day of the week. The meaning can be as easy or as complicated as you make it.
Keeping it, means you recognize the world was created in 7 days, that you acknowledge G-d (and that you probably don't have other gods before Him), and that you respect His creation/work.
it also means that if G-d took the 7th day as a rest day, there's no reason for us not to also rest from hard work. If you're an entrepreneur/self-employed or live on a farm, you probably know that work never ends. However, you need to rest at times or else you crash and there will be nobody to do/continue your hard work. Your efforts will be in vain.