Sabbath in the scriptures

[NaturalMamma]

Can someone tell me where the Shabbat ritual ideas came from? Like the 2 white candles, the blessings on the family, challah bread etc. Are there verses in the bible that describe these items? (Something in Leviticus perhaps?) And how did Jesus keep the Sabbath? It would be most helpful if someone could provide me with some verses for how the Sabbath was kept during times before Jesus and times after.

TIA

[anj_rn]

Here is a good place to explain the rituals:
http://www.jewfaq.org/shabbat.htm

Let me start by saying I am not Jewish, but I have studied Judaism ( and even took conversion classes). In Jewish law, not only is the Torah (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy) used, but the Talmud is as well. It is a book of law, that in the simplest terms answers how the laws are applied. For example, what it means to not work on the Sabbath. Here is a good link with a fuller description.
http://www.jewfaq.org/torah.htm#Talmud

as far as how Jesus celebrated Shabbat, I do not know of any explicit biblical references as to how Jesus celebrated the Sabbath. However, it is clear that resting on the Sabbath was considered the norm based on the reactions from his healing on the sabbath (Mark 3:1-6) and the disciples picking grain on the sabbath (Mark 2:23).

Maybe there is someone more versed in the history of the era who could give you details of the traitional practices of the time.

[Magelet]

I beleive that the everything regarding what happens on saturday night is either rabbinic law (from the talmud etc, which is NOT the simplest terms exactly, it's highly confusing sometimes lol, and written strangely to modern ears) or custom. Biblical law only refers to keeping shabbat and remembering shabbat and refraining from work.

[zech13_9_goforgold]

I think it's very interesting to look at how one's practices one's faith vs what the main teachings of one's faith actually say. I am not getting on one side or the other, I just think that it's interesting. A lot of faith splits happen based on the interpretation of teachings and the following after one type of leader.

Sabbath Traditions: I see them in the light of "Fiddler on the Roof" (sorry) in that sometimes a persecuted people group must find things and traditions to hold onto. I personally like the symbolism of the white candles and the braided bread- more than I need to understand the history. That being said, things can get tricky if you're trying to determine which parts of your traditions are prescribed and by whom. I do not envy you your search.

Jesus's Sabbath: I am no scholar for the era, but I would guess that He probably didn't have the candles or the bread. Perhaps they are more ancient than I think? The expectation of a Sabbath during Jesus's time was one of rest. Biblical scholars say that there were rules in place to govern what types of work could be done. Also, how far one was allowed to travel.

Here are some examples that I found about how Jesus treated the Sabbath:

Jesus heals the lame man

healed a man born blind

picking grain on the Sabbath

drived out a demon (in the synagogue)


healed a crippled woman

It appears that Jesus considered Sabbath as another work day. He pronounced Himself the "Lord of the Sabbath" several times. I have enjoyed thinking about this subject, because I had never spent any time reading about all the places where Jesus "broke" the Sabbath.

Good luck in your quest.

[doubledutch]

i admit that i don't say this from a christian perspective, but imo, the examples above in no way suggest that jesus considered the sabbath to be "another work day". he says it is right to do good on the sabbath - he was compelled to heal.

jesus' statement "the sabbath was made for man" suggests that jesus saw value in a day of rest (or another translation - a day of ceasing from the work of creating, the same kind of work god was ceasing from during the first sabbath at the end of the creation story). the fact that he could not deny someone a miracle on the sabbath doesn't mean he didn't otherwise observe it. the fact that his "doing good" caused controversy among some of his contemporaries does not suggest that the greater jewish community in that time and place believed he was breaking the sabbath.

the picking of grain was definitely breaking the sabbath.

[doubledutch]

oh, i forgot to respond about whether jesus' sabbath observance would have included lighting candles and a meal with two loaves of bread. if there was to be any light in the home on friday night, the lamps would have been lit shortly before sundown, as kindling a fire is forbidden.

the two loaves symbolize the double portion of manna gathered on the sixth day in preparation for the sabbath. it's possible there was a period of time that did not include that tradition, but it seems likely that the tradition was carried forward from the time in the wilderness, without cessation. this seems especially likely when you consider that sabbath not only commemorates the "first sabbath" during creation, but also freedom from slavery in egypt (the freedom to observe a day of rest).

[anj_rn]

Originally Posted by zech13_9_goforgold

It appears that Jesus considered Sabbath as another work day. He pronounced Himself the "Lord of the Sabbath" several times. I have enjoyed thinking about this subject, because I had never spent any time reading about all the places where Jesus "broke" the Sabbath.

Good luck in your quest.

I disagree. Judaism, unlike some other religions, allows for the concept of prioritizing the laws. For example, I should not work on the Sabbath (which includes traveling, kindling light, etc). However, it is accepted that saving a life takes precedence over all things, so if I had to take someone to the hospital, or kindle fire to deliver a baby, it would be OK.

Jesus was using the healing as examples to teach. This behavior is OK on the Sabbath because it takes priority over this law.