Essay On Shabbat

The Jewish culture has been documented as far back as 1800 Before Christ (BC) (Religious Facts, 2017). Their belief comes from the first five books of Hebrew better known to most as the “Old Testament” of the Bible. This is called the “Torah” or Jewish Written Law which contains the commands they are to follow (Jewish Virtual Library, 2017). Shabbat is Hebrew for cease or rest and represents God’s day of rest, as noted in the book of Bereishit (Genesis), and is devoted to higher pursuits of spiritual enrichment including Jewish literature, poetry and music (Jewish Virtual Library, 2017). Shabbat is considered the most important ritual observed in Judaism as it is the only one instituted in the Ten Commandments (Jewish Virtual Library, 2017). It is during a Shabbat that ceremonies of Bat or Bar Mitzvahs are performed. It is interesting that most non-Jewish people, this writer included, believe Bar Mitzvah or Bat Mitzvah refers only to the ceremony held as a rite of passage. In actuality, the titles are used interchangeably for both
D.). This tradition has since been embraced by the Reconstructionist and Conservative Judaism branches, but has yet to be allowed in the Orthodox branch of Judaism (Jewish Virtual Library, 2017). Girls who practice Judaism in the Orthodox branch may have a private celebration outside of the synagogue with family as Orthodox Jews do not believe in Bat Mitzvah Torah readings, or in women in general being Rabbis or part of synagogue services (Jewish Virtual Library, 2017). Women are also separated by a low wall or curtain during prayer and the Orthodox Shabbot services (Jewish Virtual Library,