DRAFT - DRAFT
Kol Tzedek Shabbat Study Group—Version 5
Shabbat is an integral part of Jewish life: as Achad Ha'am1 said "It's not so much that Jews have kept Shabbat as that Shabbat has kept the Jews." Shabbat offers the opportunity for joy and delight (oneg), depth and meaning, transcendence of our busy daily lives and connection with the divine and with community. Shabbat is zecher le’ma’ase vereishit, ‘a reminder of the Creation of the world’; as such, Shabbat invites us to cease from our work and regain a sense of wonder for the world in which we live. Leaving behind work and day-to-day concerns, we sanctify Shabbat as a day for rest and renewal.
Traditional observance of Shabbat incorporates prohibitions against various kinds of labor (melacha) that sets Shabbat apart from the rest of the week. Many contemporary Jews see some of these – such as talking on the phone or gardening – as away to enrich their Shabbat; while other labors, such as driving to shul, may be seen as unavoidable. For some Jews an ideal Shabbat is centered on individual reflection and Torah study; for others, on communal connection through prayer; and for others, on joyous activities, such as hiking or playing music.
At Kol Tzedek, we encourage innovative Shabbat rituals as well as honor traditional observance. We value these practices for how they may enrich and sanctify our Shabbat:
Talmud Torah (Study): To engage with Torah, Jewish and non-Jewish texts and reflect on how they connect to our world.
Hachnasat Orchim (Hospitality): To enter each other’s homes for communal and family gatherings, sharing meals, prayers and song.
Tefilah (Prayer): To experience meaningful connection to the Divine and community through davening, meditation, and music.
Menucha (Rest): To leave behind our work week and take time for quiet reflection and rest, “re-souling” (v’yinafash) us for the week to come.
