Why the Sabbath?

I remember this question when studying at yeshiva. Why the Sabbath? Well the Bible actually gives two reasons. One of the reasons is found in Deuteronomy 5:15. The Sabbath is given because the Lord liberated the Jews from Egypt, and were slaves. Therefore, they were given the Sabbath to rest.

The second reason is to make a connection to the creation account found in the early chapters of Genesis. The Lord created for six days, and then rested on the seventh day. This is clearly described in Exodus 20:11.

These are two different reasons for the Sabbath. What is interesting is the Bible never tries to join the reason together, but leaves each explanation standing alone. Since then, the rabbis have joined them together for the Sabbath celebration. For each Sabbath the following is said:

“And there was evening and there was morning, a sixth day. The heavens and the earth were finished, the whole host of them and on the seventh day God completed his work that he had done and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done and God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it because in it he had rested from all his work that God had created to do.” And further:

“Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe Who sanctified us with His commandments, and has been pleased with us. You have lovingly and willingly given us Your holy sabbath as an inheritance, in memory of creation because it was the first day of our holy assemblies, in memory of the exodus from Egypt because You have chosen us and made us holy from all peoples and have willingly and lovingly given us Your holy sabbath for an inheritance. Blessed are You, Who sanctifies sabbath.”

While the Bible may not have joined these reasons together originally, they are combined now. It’s celebrated as a joyous occasion in remembrance of creation, and for recovery from our labors, as we are no longer slaves.