Brian Tice's Blog: Halakhically and Hashqafically Historical - Posts Tagged "shabbat"
Shabbat: To Remember and to Observe
The Torah includes two different commands regarding how Shabbat is to be honored. In the first iteration of the Decalogue, we are commanded, "Observe (שמור) the sabbath and keep it holy" (Exodus 20:8-11). In the second iteration (Deuteronomy 5:12), the verb is "remember" (זכור). What is the difference?
Our rabbis share that zachor - remember is different it it’s nature than shamor - observe. Observing Shabbat means that we abide by the 39 malakhot (Sabbath prohibitions), whereas remembering Shabbat connotes the positive mitzvot of singing, praying, studying (spiritual delights); and challah, kiddush, and community (physical delights).
Our tradition to light two candles as we enter into Shabbat is associated with this - one candle l'zakor (to remember) and one lishmor (to observe).
Choter ben Shlomo summarizes these obligations thus: "The actions that are permitted on Shabbat are bowing and the motions which attend food, drink, common actions, and rest; the actions which are forbidden are riding an animal, climbing a tree, writing, running, dancing, and striking... [These are also permitted:] to comfort the bereaved, a circumcision, to visit the sick, or anything connected with charitable deeds" (Siraj al-Uqul 85b). The turbidity and coarseness that coalesces in the soul during the week is cleansed and purified through our worship and rest on Shabbat.
Shabbat shalom!
Our rabbis share that zachor - remember is different it it’s nature than shamor - observe. Observing Shabbat means that we abide by the 39 malakhot (Sabbath prohibitions), whereas remembering Shabbat connotes the positive mitzvot of singing, praying, studying (spiritual delights); and challah, kiddush, and community (physical delights).
Our tradition to light two candles as we enter into Shabbat is associated with this - one candle l'zakor (to remember) and one lishmor (to observe).
Choter ben Shlomo summarizes these obligations thus: "The actions that are permitted on Shabbat are bowing and the motions which attend food, drink, common actions, and rest; the actions which are forbidden are riding an animal, climbing a tree, writing, running, dancing, and striking... [These are also permitted:] to comfort the bereaved, a circumcision, to visit the sick, or anything connected with charitable deeds" (Siraj al-Uqul 85b). The turbidity and coarseness that coalesces in the soul during the week is cleansed and purified through our worship and rest on Shabbat.
Shabbat shalom!
Halakhically and Hashqafically Historical
Brian Tice, M.Sci., Hebrew and Judaica Research Scholar, is the author of Reflecting on the Rabbis: Sage Insight into First-Century Jewish Thought (2017), Sefer Tagin: An Ancient Sofer Manual (2021),
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