Living Judaism, Essay Example

Introduction

There are various issues covered in the paper.  The first issue is the essence of Shabbat to the Jews. Also, challenges resulting from the observance of the Shabbat by individuals are discussed. Critical analysis of facts on the Shabbat raises several questions. The first question is the types of practices observed in Jewish societies. Another question is the significance of practices observed in the Jewish community. The evidence utilized in the study is from Biblical texts. The argument is on the issues that necessitated the modern society to abandon the Shabbat. The observed practice relates to the Orthodox methods that established approaches in the observance of the Shabbat.

Origins and Observance of Practices

The origin of the Shabbat is found in the Biblical texts. The book of Genesis 2:1-3 unfolds the creation process and establishment of the Shabbat. The chapter contains the creation process and happenings that took place when God created the universe. The Bible teachings indicate that God only worked for six days and left the seventh day to be the day of rest. Genesis 2:1-3 indicates that all the six days were utilized for the conduction of duties, but the seventh day was exclusively set aside for the Shabbat (The Hebrew Bible). Isaiah 58:13-14 reiterates the significance of the seventh day, which was excluded from the creation process. The seventh day was sanctified by God and was named the Shabbat, the day of rest.

The temple of Jerusalem was built and used for religious practices, and its fall marked the beginning of Rabbinic Judaism. Rabbinic Judaism had different practices compared to those observed before the fall of the temple of Jerusalem (The New Testament and Rabbinic Literature). They believed that the Shabbat began at dusk on Friday and ended at sunset on Saturday. Followers of Rabbinic Judaism were expected to observe the established laws which governed significant happenings on the Shabbat. The followers of Rabbinic Judaism were not supposed to conduct practices that were against the laws of the Shabbat.

According to the Hebrews, the Shabbat was a special day compared with the other six days of the week. The Hebrews believed that the Shabbat was a perpetual covenant established between God and man at the time of creation (The Hebrew Bible). Hebrews 4:9-10 indicates that “Any individual that enters the Shabbat also rests from the works of God.” The Hebrew teachings of the Shabbat are different from the way modernists observe the Shabbat. The observed practices in Hebrew society are deeply rooted in the Biblical teachings. The rabbinic changes provided a different understanding of women. For instance, the Israelite women had a different approach to their menstruation cycles. Torah Menstruant had seven days whereby the first day of the period was the day before immersing.

Part 2: Description of an Attempt to Practice and Critical Reflection

There are lessons to be drawn from the way Jews conduct their activities before the Shabbat. The essential meal that Jews consume on the Shabbat is bread. The synagogues are worshipping places that should be observed with the utmost respect (Fishbane, 1987). Active services are held in synagogues were worshippers are inducted into the Shabbat culture. The Kabbalat Shabbat is the first service done to introduce worshippers into the synagogue. Also, Shabbat is regarded as the bride. There is the synagogue hymn, which talks of the synagogue as a bride. The synagogue hymn welcomes all individuals to their worshipping places.

Furthermore, there are challenges undergone in the observation of the Shabbat. Observance of the Jewish culture is a significant challenge for individuals not born in Jewish society. A smooth process of celebration of the Shabbat requires individuals to begin practices from childhood. For example, there is a struggle in neglecting duties and observance of the period of the Shabbat. Individuals are not to engage in any chores, and this creates difficulties in inadequate preparations for the Shabbat.

Differences exist between the Orthodox followers and the Hebrews about the observation of the Shabbat. Individuals thriving in a Jewish society should be ready to put aside their preferences and dedicate themselves to the Shabbat. The Jewish have to visit synagogues as a way of observance of the Shabbat (Fishbane, 1987). Scrolls used in the conduction of services are obtained from the Ark. Orthodox followers observe written scriptures provided by God. God delivered scriptures of Pentateuch to Moses on Mount Sinai. The Orthodox followers believe that the written scriptures have been transmitted since they were handed to Moses.

Individuals living as a Jewish minority in Canada must be dedicated to observing the Shabbat. It includes neglect of prohibited things and acceptance of things regarded in the Shabbat. For example, there is permission to consume specified foods. Members of the Jewish minority are not supposed to consume animals that are not flesh (The Hebrew Bible). The act applies in the way the animals are slaughtered before consumption. All individuals are to slaughter the animals per Jewish tradition. Also, the Jewish minority must observe the attributes observed in Jewish society in Canada.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the strict ways in Hebrew society enabled them to keep the Shabbat strictly. The practices of Jewish in the current society are different from the traditional ones. The difference in the observance of the Shabbat exists due to differences in commitments among the believers. The traditional Hebrew society was more embedded in the Biblical teachings than the modernists. The modernists introduced different approaches to the beginning and end of the Shabbat. The challenge in observation of the Shabbat in the outside community is the adherence to Shabbat teachings.

Current practices are related to the aspects of Jewish life that were observed traditionally. The first practice is minimal engagement in activities not related to the Shabbat. There is a continuation of the Jewish practices in the current society. The practices have facilitated the avoidance of non-essential issues not regarded among the Jews. The non-Jewish World does not observe the Shabbat and Jews observe, and this shapes the way the two interact in the World.

Learning about the Shabbat brought diverse issues practiced among the Jewish. The Jewish society observed biblical teachings and values established in the commandments. Indeed, the Law was strictly followed and facilitated a smooth understanding of the beginning of Judaism. The practices carried in the Jewish society are significant as they established a platform for uttermost observation of biblical teachings. Thus, the Shabbat was established by God, and the relevance of the Shabbat creates an understanding of modern Jewish practices.

References

The Hebrew Bible: Bible The New Testament and Rabbinic Literature. BRILL.

Fishbane, M. (1987). Judaism: Revelations and Traditions, Religious Traditions of the World Series. HarperCollins.