WHAT IS THE SABBATH?
The Jewish Sabbath (Shabbat), commemorates G-d’s resting on the seventh day of
creation after he had spent the previous six days creating the heavens and the earth, and is considered by Jews to be the holiest day of the week. The Sabbath begins at sundown on Friday and lasts until nightfall on Saturday night, and during that time Jews are prohibited from doing any form of work which could be seen as changing the world from how it was before the start of Sabbath.
Taken in a modern context, orthodox Jews generally refrain from such activities as cooking, driving, watching television or using other electronic equipment, switching lights on and off, handling money and carrying anything outside of the home, even in their pockets. Jewish shops and businesses are also closed on the Sabbath.
As well as attending the Friday night service at Synagogue, Jews traditionally welcome the Sabbath by lighting candles and making Kiddush (traditional Friday Night blessing before Sunset on Friday over wine and Challah bread), bestowing special blessings upon any children in their household, and eating a celebratory meal.
After a further Synagogue service on the Saturday morning, during which a portion of the Torah is recited (known as the Reading of the Law) and seven male congregants are called up to the reading, the days formal religious proceedings are over, but the reminder of the day is traditionally spent resting or spending time with family members, and studying the Torah.
At nightfall on Saturday night, the Sabbath is brought to a close with a ceremony known as Havdalah, which is performed at the evening service in Synagogue, and also at home—this involves making blessings over wine and smelling spices and a special plaited candle with a double wick, and is concluded by extinguishing the candle in a saucer of wine.
Following this, normal weekday activities may be resumed.