Shabbat Shalom (Peaceful Sabbath)! :)
*Why should we "observe" the Sabbath?? ~Look below for Scriptural references...
HOW to "observe" the Sabbath~
As I often state on this website... there is a LOT of Jewish "tradition" when it comes to "HOW" to do ANYTHING "Jewish" or "Hebrew"... but unless it says it clearly in the Tanach ("Old Testament") or in the Torah (the first 5 'books' of the Bible), I usually don't emphasize it. I *do* recognize the inspiration and insight that can be gained through these "traditions"... but I maintain a "caution" that they are JUST TRADITIONS.
With that said, I suggest you read the instructions given by YHWH concerning the Sabbath. There are Scripture references below, if you need them. As long as we follow HIS instructions, I feel like anything else can be customized for your own family. Traditions and rituals can be very helpful and comforting and special IF they don't become empty substitutes for our love and relationship with YHWH... and that includes the Jewish traditions :)
With that said, I suggest you read the instructions given by YHWH concerning the Sabbath. There are Scripture references below, if you need them. As long as we follow HIS instructions, I feel like anything else can be customized for your own family. Traditions and rituals can be very helpful and comforting and special IF they don't become empty substitutes for our love and relationship with YHWH... and that includes the Jewish traditions :)
"Extra" Sabbath Ideas:
As I said above, you can use the same rituals and traditions that Jews and Messianic Christians use in observing the Sabbath... or you can create your own (or a combination). I'm not going to list the Jewish rituals/traditions here, because they are very easy to find on-line or in bookstores and libraries. I'm just going to give a few "non-orthodox" ideas...
I think it's very nice to light candles (before sundown) and eat a *special* Sabbath meal together <3 Sometimes we have a "nice" meal and sometimes we have a "fun" meal... but it's usually always with candles lit and acknowledging that "the Sabbath begins!..." :) I LOVE that!! ;) We set apart that beginning meal as a time to clear ourselves from the past week and focus on the rest and refreshment that is beginning. It's very nice :) Sometimes we sing... sometimes we read from the Scriptures... sometimes we look at the moon before we sit down to eat. We always pray :) {I am personally planning on getting some *special* items to use *just for our Sabbaths*... candle holders, candles, napkins, etc. This is not necessary, just nice.} After we eat, we do different things... sing, play games or cards, have a movie night, have a WII tournament, have an instructional time from the Torah, or "whatever" we decide for each week as our resting/playing/bonding time as a family. My husband and I don't want to loose our connection with our children as they grow older!
We *sleep late* the following morning! YES!! *Sabbath Rest* :D We love that part, too ;) We work hard to prepare for the Sabbath so that we don't have to work-- or cause others to have to work. This includes having enough gasoline in our vehicle if we are planning to "go anywhere" and having pic-nic lunches instead of eating out. Adjustments that are fairly easy to get used to... being misunderstood or "judged" is a little harder :/ But all is worth the *Blessing* of the Sabbath :) After resting (sleeping later than usual), we have a pretty laid-back day... sometimes meeting with friends, sometimes going to parks or pic-nic places, sometimes having Torah instruction, sometimes not doing anything... we try to keep everything un-rushed and stress-free! It's a nice time.
As the sun goes down, I always feel a little sad... the Sabbath ends :( But it will come again!! And that brings a little excitement in the preperation for the next one... and only six more days to prepare! :D I have come to LOVE the Sabbath! It has become a very special part of our life<3 I hope you, too, will enter into this beautiful time.
I think it's very nice to light candles (before sundown) and eat a *special* Sabbath meal together <3 Sometimes we have a "nice" meal and sometimes we have a "fun" meal... but it's usually always with candles lit and acknowledging that "the Sabbath begins!..." :) I LOVE that!! ;) We set apart that beginning meal as a time to clear ourselves from the past week and focus on the rest and refreshment that is beginning. It's very nice :) Sometimes we sing... sometimes we read from the Scriptures... sometimes we look at the moon before we sit down to eat. We always pray :) {I am personally planning on getting some *special* items to use *just for our Sabbaths*... candle holders, candles, napkins, etc. This is not necessary, just nice.} After we eat, we do different things... sing, play games or cards, have a movie night, have a WII tournament, have an instructional time from the Torah, or "whatever" we decide for each week as our resting/playing/bonding time as a family. My husband and I don't want to loose our connection with our children as they grow older!
We *sleep late* the following morning! YES!! *Sabbath Rest* :D We love that part, too ;) We work hard to prepare for the Sabbath so that we don't have to work-- or cause others to have to work. This includes having enough gasoline in our vehicle if we are planning to "go anywhere" and having pic-nic lunches instead of eating out. Adjustments that are fairly easy to get used to... being misunderstood or "judged" is a little harder :/ But all is worth the *Blessing* of the Sabbath :) After resting (sleeping later than usual), we have a pretty laid-back day... sometimes meeting with friends, sometimes going to parks or pic-nic places, sometimes having Torah instruction, sometimes not doing anything... we try to keep everything un-rushed and stress-free! It's a nice time.
As the sun goes down, I always feel a little sad... the Sabbath ends :( But it will come again!! And that brings a little excitement in the preperation for the next one... and only six more days to prepare! :D I have come to LOVE the Sabbath! It has become a very special part of our life<3 I hope you, too, will enter into this beautiful time.
"Why should we observe the Sabbath??"~
*The Sabbath of YHWH...
We have the first recorded Sabbath at the 7th day of creation... Genesis 2:2-3. The next time we see it is in Exodus 16:16-30 (BEFORE what most people consider "the law" or the "10 Commandments" was given). It is then, also, recorded in Exodus 20:8-11 (the "10 Commandments")... explainded further in Exodus 23:10-12, emphasized again in Exodus 31:13-18, and it is repeated again in Exodus 34:21, and Exodus 35:1-3.
Next we find it in Leviticus 19:2-3;30... in Leviticus 23:2-3, it is included in the feasts of YHWH. In Leviticus 25:1-22 is given the "Sabbath rest" to the land, and also the "Jubile", and is repeated in Leviticus 26:2. In Numbers 15:32-36 we see a record of someone breaking the Sabbath commandment of YHWH, and YHWH told Moses that the man had to be put to death... then YHWH told Moses to have the children of Isreal to put fringes (tassels/tzit tzits) on the borders of their garments, with a ribband of blue, to REMEMBER all of YHWH's commandments and DO them.
Finally, in Deuteronomy 5:12-15... over and over we see the importance of YHWH's Shabbat (Sabbath)! He established it from the beginning, and it is to be carried on eternally-- or at least through the 1,000 year "day" of YHWH (Isaiah 66:23-24).
If it has been observed from the beginning, and will be observed in the future... "WHY" is it not observed now ? YHWH said to keep "THE" Sabbath-- not "A" Sabbath (as if 'we' can switch it to our own day of preference). We are adopted into the commonwealth of Isreal... we are NO LONGER "Gentiles". YHWH has made a way for us to enjoy the blessings of the abundant life He has given... and that "way of life" is revealed to us in His Word-- the TORAH.
Next we find it in Leviticus 19:2-3;30... in Leviticus 23:2-3, it is included in the feasts of YHWH. In Leviticus 25:1-22 is given the "Sabbath rest" to the land, and also the "Jubile", and is repeated in Leviticus 26:2. In Numbers 15:32-36 we see a record of someone breaking the Sabbath commandment of YHWH, and YHWH told Moses that the man had to be put to death... then YHWH told Moses to have the children of Isreal to put fringes (tassels/tzit tzits) on the borders of their garments, with a ribband of blue, to REMEMBER all of YHWH's commandments and DO them.
Finally, in Deuteronomy 5:12-15... over and over we see the importance of YHWH's Shabbat (Sabbath)! He established it from the beginning, and it is to be carried on eternally-- or at least through the 1,000 year "day" of YHWH (Isaiah 66:23-24).
If it has been observed from the beginning, and will be observed in the future... "WHY" is it not observed now ? YHWH said to keep "THE" Sabbath-- not "A" Sabbath (as if 'we' can switch it to our own day of preference). We are adopted into the commonwealth of Isreal... we are NO LONGER "Gentiles". YHWH has made a way for us to enjoy the blessings of the abundant life He has given... and that "way of life" is revealed to us in His Word-- the TORAH.
*Click HERE to read a personal blog on the Sabbath
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