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A very basic Mitzvah of Judaism is Shabbat. It includes many laws and customs, but today we will focus on the question: “Why did G-d order us to keep the Shabbat?”
(We need to mention here that the basic reason for observing the Shabbat is the same as for all the other Mitzvot, which is simply because G-d has commanded us to do so. Based on this, we can explore other reasons for the Mitzvah of Shabbat.)
The 10 Commandments mention two reasons for the observance of the Shabbat. The first is as a remembrance for the Creation and the second as a remembrance for the Exodus.
We all know that G-d created the world in 6 days and “rested” on the 7th. When we rest and stop our work on the 7th day, we remind ourselves and we proclaim to all that G-d is the Creator of the world.
Why was this commandment given especially to the Jewish people? Here comes the second reason for keeping the Shabbat, the remembrance of the Exodus. It is with the Exodus that we became the people of Israel, the people connected to G-d and belonging to Him. This is why the Jews have the responsibility and the obligation (through the observance of the Shabbat) to remind all humankind that the world was created by G-d.
Thus, once a week, we stop our life routine and focus on the Creator of the world Who chose us as His people by liberating us from Egypt.
Shabbat Shalom,
Arie from the Yeshiva
