Shabbat: The Blessings Found in Remembering and Observing the Sabbath

Have you ever wondered the spiritual meaning behind the Jewish tradition of keeping Shabbat (the Sabbath) holy? On today’s episode, host Yael Eckstein shares with us how grateful she is for the blessings of Shabbat — a holy day of rest — that transform her and her family every week! It’s a day to recharge spiritually, and Yael will share the amazing lessons of faith the Sabbath has for both Christians and Jews.

Episode Notes

In today’s episode, host Yael Eckstein starts a new five-part series about one of the most significant, but often misunderstood, Jewish observances — the Sabbath, or Shabbat.

Yael examines Exodus 20:8-11, the verses that tell the Jewish people to keep the Sabbath holy: “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.”

According to Jewish tradition, when God proclaimed the Ten Commandments, He actually spoke both words — remember and observe — at the same time in order to teach us that we sanctify the Sabbath in both of these ways. In this episode, Yael unpacks what it really means to both remember and observe this holy day. The Jewish people are taught to both remember God as their creator, and also observe the Sabbath by taking a day of rest and reconnecting with Him!

Yael shares why Shabbat is so meaningful to her — by sharing a meal with family and friends without distractions from your cell phone, TV, or anything else, she explains, you can truly spend time with God and reset spiritually for the week ahead. Listen now!