Sabbath facts for kids
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A Sabbath is a special day set aside for rest, quiet time, or prayer. It usually happens once a week. The word Sabbath comes from the Hebrew word Shabbat (שַׁבָּת). This word is based on the Hebrew root Sh-B-T, which means "rest."
In the Hebrew Bible, also known as the Tanakh, the idea of a Sabbath day begins with the story of God. The Bible says that God rested on the seventh day after creating the universe. From this story, the idea of Shabbat, or Sabbath, as a holy day of rest was born.
Keeping the Sabbath is also one of the Ten Commandments. Because of this, the Abrahamic religions – Judaism, Christianity, and Islam – all have a tradition of a special day each week for rest or prayer. While the idea is similar, the specific days and how they are observed are quite different today.
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Sabbath in Different Religions
Many religions observe a weekly day of rest or prayer. Here's how some major Abrahamic religions observe their special day:
Shabbat in Judaism
In Judaism, the Sabbath is called Shabbat or Shabbath. Jewish people observe Shabbat from sunset on Friday until nightfall on Saturday. It is a day dedicated to rest and spiritual activities. During Shabbat, many Jewish people avoid work, cooking, and using electricity. They spend time with family, go to synagogue, and focus on prayer and study.
Sabbath in Christianity
Most Christians observe their day of rest and worship on Sunday. This day is often called the Lord's Day. It is a time for Christians to attend church services, pray, and spend time with family. While the day is different from the Jewish Sabbath, the idea of setting aside a day for spiritual focus remains important.
Jumu'ah in Islam
In Islam, the special day is Friday. Muslims gather for a communal prayer called Jumu'ah just after noon on Fridays. While it is not a full day of rest like the Jewish Sabbath, it is a very important time for community worship. Many Muslims consider Friday a blessed day.
What is a Sabbatical?
You might hear the word "sabbatical" used today. A sabbatical is a long break from work, often paid, given to people like university professors. It's a time for them to rest, study, or work on special projects. The idea comes from the Sabbath, as it's a period of rest from regular duties.
