Output in developed countries tend to continue for two days. In this case, one of them (in countries with a dominant Christian tradition Sunday) banned (or severely restricted) work and trade. But this situation is only a partial realization of the idea of the Jewish Sabbath. The concepts of work and rest on the Sabbath in the Jewish tradition are quite different from the standard in Western culture today, they are deeper and are the epitome of Jewish views on the essence of man in this world. Judaism refers to the human creation, creation, creation of a new as a manifestation of the divine in man, and, therefore, he sees this as the essence of human existence.


In this - one of Jewish contributions to modern civilization. It is therefore particularly interesting that in relation to the Sabbath referred to in the Torah. "Remember the Sabbath day to sanctify it Six days you shall labor ... but the seventh day - Saturday the LORD thy Gd: do not do to this day no work .. . "(Ex 20: 8-9). To refer to work on the Sabbath in the Hebrew concept "Mlahim" whose exact value - creation, creation. In the language of the sages activities prohibited on the Sabbath - is "malehet mahshevet", that is, the conscious creation. Just as the seventh day Gd "rested" from creation and creation, and the Jew ceases creative activity. Therefore, on Saturday, you can, if you really need to, for example, from morning till night to move furniture, that is, to do the work. Prohibited creation, activity, meeting the four criteria: the presence of the target, the intent, the addition of a new entity in the world and the possibility of the existence of the fruits of that activity for a long time. What is the meaning of this understanding Sabbath rest? Why cessation of creative activity that reveals the divine in man, is a requirement of the Jewish Sabbath? Continual creation, activity aimed at changing the world, leads to a position opposite to the original meaning. This race enslaves man, turns him into a servant of their ambitions, resulting awareness of its features. On the other hand, there is a sense of limitlessness of human power and priority, the uniqueness of human desire. Understanding creativity as a manifestation of the divine principle is erased.


Saturday restricts both trends, neutralizing their damaging effects. It stops running, allows a person to understand the fruits of their labor, leaves room for contemplation. Saturday separates man from his labor, it returns a value in itself. Thus, creation is returned to the original essence, it allows a person to express their higher purpose.


Modern Western culture refers to rest rather as a means of restoring forces for more productive work in the future and how to find the right time to have fun. Today in Israel, 50 percent of Jewish families light the Shabbat candles, 46 percent make kiddush (sanctification of the Sabbath), 55 per cent of adopted special Shabbat meal. 25 percent of Israelis visited the synagogue on the Sabbath; 37 percent do not perform different jobs at home and outside of it, and do not light the fire, 30 - try not to commit any actions related to the payment, for example, do not buy movie tickets (according to the Israel Democracy Institute). It is interesting that today the most common practice is associated with Saturday - Shabbat candles - not mentioned in the Torah. But in various Talmudic texts emphasizes the forefront of spark plugs to create a special atmosphere of Shabbat. If a Jew is poor and it is not possible to buy oil at the same time for Saturday's fixtures (in the Talmud, they are called "the candle at home"), and Hanukkah, or he can no longer buy the wine for Kiddush (sanctification), - it must buy in the first place oil for Saturday's fixtures (Talmud, Treatise Saturday, 236). The duty of sanctification (Kiddush) mentioned in the Torah, but he gives "primacy" candles. The reason for this - the meaning attached to the ignition spark, "ner Beito - Beito Shlomo," ie light, distributed candles enables the peaceful existence at home, family. In the darkness, the family members can not maintain normal human relationships, start quarrels and disagreements. Technical explanation of the role of candles in the propagation of light opens the way to a broader understanding.


Today, in the era of electricity, there is no need for candles as a light source. But the light and warmth of "live" fire has long been associated in people's hearts with peace, unity, seen as the source of life. This principle is peace in the house, as we see, is in first place in Jewish tradition and possibly why the lighting of candles is the most common custom of the Sabbath, even among secular Jews. Lighting of candles is the completion of preparations for the Sabbath and its beginning. A married woman lights the two candles. Also made light of a candle for each child. If the house is not a woman, you can light the Shabbat candles and a man.


In honor of the Sabbath supposed to change clothes. Everyone puts on a clean and ironed, not the one he wears every day, when a person is satisfied with work attire. "And you call on Saturday delight and honor it" (Isaiah 58; 13). How can seemingly give her honor? First of all, the fact that Saturday is different from everyday clothes. Hence the conclusion: man, at least, must have two types of garments - one for weekdays, another - for the Sabbath. This tradition has deep roots. Over time, even the common people of the people trying to keep the special clothes on Saturday, did not leave with them, even in difficult situations. Only twice a year does not change clothes before Saturday, if it falls on Tisha B'Av (the day of mourning for the destroyed Temple) and on Holy Saturday before Passover, because at this time taken to clean and wash the clothes before the holiday.


Saturday greeting adopted in most of the Jewish communities, the same: "Shabbat Shalom!" ( "Peace Saturday!"). And the answer to it is usually "Shabbat shalom from mevorah!" ( "Saturday peaceful and blessed!").


Baruch Levin