Professional Documents
Culture Documents
587
boru
matliema-
at Kiiuigsbeig.
son .f
he studied matliematics and pliysies at Uie \iniversit.v of liis native city, graduating as Pli.I).
in 18GI
his dissertation was " Leber die WarnieverUnderungen in den Holieien Erd.schiehten Lnterdern Ein(
university;
Konigsberg.
is the author of
"Der Belastele Stab,"
1880; "Vorlesungen Leber die Bernoui'llischen Zahleii," Berlin, 1893; and of a number of
treatises in the technical journals.
S.
Saalschiitz
Leipsic,
SABA
2'0.
(N3D)
various meanings;
(ii) It designates an old man or old woman
in general, as in the saying -'an old man ["saba"] in the
house means ruin, but an old woman ["sabeta "] is a
treasure; since the former is unfit for work, while
the latter helps in the house " ('Ar. 19a).
(i) Preceded by the demonstrative ("hai
Saba"
(ed.
HarUavy.
"
Responsen
R.
It
is
Huna and
(Kil.
i.\.
Ilierosoly-
It
Levy, A'fu-
s.v.;
T.
S.
SABA.
SABA,
O.
See Sheb.\.
of rest.
extra supply gathered for consumption on the Sal)bath, when no manna descended, did not spoil (xvi.
22-30).
The Saljbath is a sign between Ynwn and
Death or
Israel, an everlasting covenant (xxi. 13).
b.
Joseph
xxiii. 3).
Non-Ob-
denced by their writings. Amos castigates those that are impatient for the
in passing of the Sabbath because it in-
servance
by Some
Prophetic
Times.
in
Saadia
Sabbath
Isjiiah
condemning
is
cijually
emphatic
unworthy celebrations
(i. 9).
Jeremiah exhorts
from carrying burdens on the
Sabbath (xvii. 21 et seqX Ezekiel describes the
laxnessof the fathers, for the purpose of impressing
upon his auditors the importance of observing the
Sabbath, evidently neglected in his day (xx. 12, 16,
20, 21, 24; xxii. 8; xxiii. 38).
In his scheme of reconstruction the hallowing of the Sabbath holds a
prominent place (xliv. 24, xlvi. 2, 3). According to
him the burnt offering for the Sabbath, provided by
the prince (xlv. 17), consisted of six lambs and a
ram, with an entire ephah of meal offering and a
"bin "of oil to every ephah (xlvi. 4-.5).
Isaiah conditions Israel's triumph on the observance of the Sabbath, which may not be set aside for
their
secular pursuits;
(Iviii.
13, 14).
another
prophet
]iredicls that
come
to
Sabbath
ilu-iu
t(i
and
turn it into
to be closed
gates
the
ordered
he
market-day
a
and kept closed until the end of the Sabbath. This
measure, after a while, had the desired effect (x.
Fs. xcii. is entitled "A Psalm or Song
19(tseq.).
As Hosea (i. 11) threatens
for the Sabbath Day."
the cessation of the Sabbath and other feasts as a
piuiishrnent to disloyal Israel, so does the author of
Lamentations (ii. 6) lament that the Subbatli has
to prtveiit llicm
from cuntiuuing
to
Un-
upon
their assailants
Maee.
ii.
29itiie(j.).
Ynwn
fire,
et
Eviv,
not to
43)
588
mourn on
the
(Kaulzsch,
seventh day
"
Josephus, in
to
whom
tlie
Jews
'
589
character (" De Decaldgo," 20 [ii. 197]). The Sabbath is the most appropriate da\' for instruction (" De
Septenario," ^ 6 [ii. 383] ).
Aristobulus, a predecessor of Philo, wrote a treati.se ou the Sabbath, fragments of wliich are extant.
Polhiwing tlie Pythagoreans, he enlarges on tlie
marvelous poteucj- of the number "seven," but
endeavors, like Philo after him ("De Septenario,"
g 6-7 [ii. 381-2^4] ), to prove the observance of the
day to be both reasonable and profitable (Eusebius,
" Prsparatio Evangclica," .\iii. 13,
^ 9-1(5). lie asserts that even Homer and Hesiod observed the
Sabbath, citing lines from them and from Linus.
According to his understanding, the Sabbath was
primarily to be used for searching the Scriptures,
fostering the soul's powers, and striving after the
knowledge of truth. The Sabbath might be called
the first creation of the (higher) light, in which all
is revealed (comp. the benedictions ijreeeding the
Shema'; Hcrzfcld, "Gesch. des VolUes Jisrael," p.
Nordhauseu, 1867).
These Alexandrian speculations partake of the
nature of haggadic homilies. In those of the Tannaim and Amoraim similar strains are heard. The
Sabbath overshadowed every other
In the
day (Pesik. R. 23), while Shammai
Talmud, began even on the first day of the
478,
and
Sabbath
house.
If the Sabbath lamp is found lighted and
the table spread, the good angel prays that this
may
it is
in
Gen.
590
Sabbath
Hence the
ii.
3,
to
E. G. H.
It was priibubly originally connected in some manner with the cult of the moon, as indeed is suggested
by the frequent mention of Sabbath and New-iloou
festivals in the sjime sentence (Isa. i. 13; Amos viii.
.');
The old Semites
II Kings iv. 23).
Probable
worshiped the
moon and
the stars
Lunar
"Shabbat" conveys
"sheba'
" is
from
was done by
Lectures) and by Jastrow
entirely untenable).
If.
as
"Shabattum"
which
is
verb " to rest." " to cease [from labor] " though " divider" and "division of time" are likewise said to
have been the original significations; comp. also
Barth. " Nominall)ildungcn," and Lagardc, " Nominalbildung"). the day is so designated because, being taboo, it demandsabstinence from work and other
occupations. The Sabbath depending, in Israel's
ncunadic period, upon the observation of tlu^ pliases
of the moon, it could not, according to this view,
be a fixed day.
When the Israelites settled in the
hind and became farmers, their new life would have
made it desirable that the Sabbath should come at
regular intervals, and the desired change would have
been made all the more easil)' as they had abandoned
the lunar religion.
;
591
the fixed.
If after tlie
twenty-eighth
as
Priestly
Kyery
The
i.).
this view.
scheme
Its
among
x. 31).
associated
connection of the
is
be-
mot"; Lev.
Sabbath
1.5) is
Bim.io(;RAPiiY: In addition to
tlif ahunclant literature mentioned in the liiblioiiraphics of tlii' liible dictionaries see
tYiedBolin, Dcr Siihhal im Allen Te.itami iit. (iulerslrjh. IMH
(the latest contribution
It abounds In parallels for the tab<x)
nch
E. G. H.
Historical and Legal: A comparison between lalihinieal (Salilialh legislation and the data of
the Bible, Apocrypha, and I'seudepigrapha must establish the fact that the Talmudical coiicejition of
what is implied by Sabbath "rest,"
By "no manner
ilrHwiDg by Vi,'f,Ta.)
Sabbath
"B.
3;
.I."'ii.
8,
21.
4; xiv.
55
8; iv.
10,
2,
ceptions.
command-
("Ant,"
way
.\iv. 10,
" (see
New Testament
The institution of
shows a purpose
this
distance was arrived at. In the injunction concerning the gathering of manna (Ex. xvi. 29) the phraseology used is, "Let no man go out of his place." But
this noun " place " is used also in the law concerning
In Num. xxxv.
the cities of refuge (Ex. xxi. 13).
26 the "limit" or l)ordcr of the city is named, while
verses 4 and Ti of the same chapter give 2,000 ells as
its extent ('Er. 48a).
Josh. iii. 4 also is considered,
2,000 ells being the interval that must be maintained
between the ark and the people. Whether this distance should be measured in a straiglit line in one
direction, or whether it should be taken from the
center of a circle, was open to argument.
If the latter, freedom to move within a circle 4.000 ells iu
diameter would result. This would certainly answer
the ordinary needs of the Sabbath walker ('Er. iv.
3, 5. 8; U. n. ii. 5). By another calculation, in which
the area of limitation is a square, with each side of
4,000 ells, even greater latitude is arrived at; movement along the border-lines as well as along the diagonal Would be free ('Er. iv. 8; see Baneth, "Einleitung zum Traktat Erubin ").
In reference to other Sabbath distances, the traditional four ells, so often found in speciticatious of
proportions and nuantitics, are given as the limit
(Yoma i. 2; Suk. i. 10; Ber. iii. .5; B. B. ii. 4, 5, 12).
Within the distance' of four ells throwing was allowed
(Shab. xi. 3, 4).
Only so much water might be
poured out on the Sabliath as four ells square of
ground would absorb ('Er. viii. 9, 10; for other instances see 'Er. i. 2; iv. 1, 5; x. 4, 5).
How these
four ells should be measured is also a matter of serious
inquiry ('Er. iv. .i, G). Thus the Mishuali preserves
the evidence of a constantly active desire to relax
the rigor of probably Hasidcan constructions.
For
this purpose the legal fiction of the 'erub was resorted to, creating constructively a new residence.
592
Yom
Kippur;
Yoma
vi.
p.
4;
72,
1903).
Di'CKi';s (literalists)
The
593
Sabbath
come a
to whip the horse, and thereby beviolator of the Sabbath (Shab. 133b; Mai-
i.n
a Ukkma.n Jkwish
The jirohibition against kindling a fire was rigorusly and literally observed by the Samaritans (Leopold Wreschner, "Samaritanische Tra-
Against
De
Sacy, "Notices
Kindling: et E.xtraits," xii. 163, 176). The SadFire.
ducees, as were later the Karaites,
were similarly convinced that light
and tire should not be found on Sabbath in the habiditionen," p. 15;
X. 38
rt.vTLKV.
1786.)
estimate of music as
[nD3n]) indicate that ascetic
tendencies hail but little to do with the prohibition
of it.
In the later jiost-Talmudical days non-Jewish musicians were employed on the Sabbath.
repair instruments,
"labor," not "art"
or the
Employment of the
"Goy."
Sabbath
Sabbath law. Unless a previous intenwas inainfest to perform an act in a way that
tions of
'I'lie
Hook
severer penalty.
lie oliscrvance of the Sabbath,
In the llalakah
like any other Pentateuchal ordinance or statute,
is treated as a legal duty or debt laid upon the
I
and
Principle
Devices for
Keepi.nc.
would
is
illustrated
mandatory commandment.
tion
tlie
The
594
Transgression thereof,
guilty.
and
it is
Work which
595
poor(B. K.
8L'a).
).
'-She'en"); this
s.v.
was held
to be in
memory
of the
MaHaRIL;
Hilkot
'-Shabbat"),
Two loaves of
bread, al.so in allusion to the manna, were to be on
the table (Shab, 117a; Ber. 39b; see Kiddush).
Near dusk the liead of the family would inquire:
"Have you set aside the tithe, made the 'erub, and
separated the l.iallah V " Upon receiving an affirmative answer, he would say: "Then light the lamp
(Orah Hayyini, 260),
According
to the
Mislmah (Shab,
i,
"
a tailor
3),
Hayyim,
Yet
personal profit;
of heaven," i.e.,
Hayyim,
(Oraii
249),
Such work as could not he
before the beginning of the Sabbath, but
"finish itself" during the Sabbath (as in the
finished
would
case of
Hayyim,
p,
44
Sabbath
s.v.
i/j.,
"iladlakah
").
might
from the light of the Sabliath lamp for reading
and other jiurposes (Shab. ii, 1 " Yad," I.e. v.).
Later authorities question whether lighting
the lamp
marked the beginning of the Sabbath rest, or whether
Sabbath did not set in until after tlie prayers had
been recited and Kiddush performed (see "Tania
Habbati,|' ed. Warsaw, p, 36a),
In Palestine theapproaeh of theSaliiialh wasannouuced by,six trumpetblasts, with an interval after each lilast,
to give
workers a suc(!ession of warnings to cea,se from their
labors (Orah Hayyini, 256; "Yad," I.e. v. i8 et m/.).
Iirofit
The Mislmah (Shab. vii. 2) enumerates thirtynine princijial classes of prohibited actions, these
"abot"(lit. "fathers" or "chief categories") comprehending, when developed casuistically, a large
variety of "toledot" (lit. "offspring" or "derivatives").
The number mentioned lias been
recognized as conventional even liy TalniMdists. the
list as given containing virtual du])li(ations, while
certain kinds of work are clearly omitteil (SJiab. 74a).
Tlie ex|)lanation
in
is
that whatever
the desert
pal." even
if
was
was
Tabernacle
iilications necessary
its dis-
(//<.).
This nuiiiderived from the phrase n^K
D'n3Tn ("These are the words") in Ex. xxxv. 1
(Yer. Shab. 9b; Shab, 70a; Num H, xviii,
Tan.,
Korah), the numerical value ot npN being 36; and
as "debarim "isjdural it must signify at least " two,"
while the articU' prefixed indicates that it stands for
"three" (36
3 = 39).
The misreading in Tan..
Korah, where mp^DC beatings") appears for ni3S?D
("labors"), disclo.ses the true nature of the numl)er.
"Forty," in Hebrew, denotes the extreme numlier
or quantity in the connection in which it is used;
for instance, " forty " lashes means the utmost number of lashes that may be inflicted in any given case.
Hence, in order to remain within the limit, forty less
one was fixed upon as the greatest number of lashes
The iiiishthat might be inflicted upon the culprit.
nah in regard to the classes of prohibited actions
follows the jirecedent, and borrows the phraseology
[57]
The
lighting of
tlie
obli-
alike
were under
this
obligation,
though
ber
is
ii.
xiv.
into
says
R.
tion.
"Karmalit":
Aheap from
three to ten
suspended by a hair."
A few examples may serve to illustrate the method
and system of this expansion. The general principle being given that "knots shall not be tied (U- untied," it was necessary to determine the kinds of
This led to the decknots that were proscribed.
daration that acamel-driver's or boatman's knot was
inteud<Ml; or a knot that could not be untied with
one hand. Knots might lie tied by a woman on
A
articles of dress, or in packing aiticles of food.
pail might be fastened with a band, but not with a
Prepara-
(2)
1).
spans in jieight and four by four in width; a corresponding excavation or depression; an area enclosed by four walls three to ten spans in height;
a corner adjoining the " ri sliut ha-rabbim " (tlie pulilic domain), with three walls on three sides and the
public reshut on the fourth {e.g., a covered passage witlioiit board or beam on the fourth side). (3)
The ]iulilic domain: Deserts, towns, market-places,
and roads at least fifteen cubits wide. (4) "Makoin
]iatur"; A free, open space, i.e., a iilace less than
four by four spans in width and tlirce or more spans
in height; what is less than lliree in heiglit is considered the cartli, so that thorn-bushes in the public
domain, if less than four by four in widtli, belong
For the effect of the
to this class ("Yad," I.e.).
28).
panded
rope.
596
Sabbath
sional
is
Sabbath
culiiie
liaLeket,"
S8
pji.
et ser/.).
It
("Sbibbole
be noted that in
attire
may
decisions
(U-nanients
or views.
The Sabbath was always and es.sentially
Hence fasting was forbidden,
a day of rejoicing.
even for half a day (Ta'an. iii. 7; Yer. Ta'an. CTa:
fire if no life
were endangered (" Yad," ^.c. xii. 3) but indirect
means might be resorted to, such as covering with
a hide or making a barrier by piling up vessels (Shab.
sions of the
xvi.
lile
included,
xvi.
1,
ll.'ja).
'5).
To
this
Sabbath,
bath law
is
or
not applicable to the service in the TemActs necessary for the Passover are
(Pes, O.ia).
Sabbath (Shab.
xviii.
3.
xix. 1-3).
But whenever
597
there
was
was danger
to life, or
New
man whose
ix. 6)
the im-
tament
portant point is not tlie fact that Jesus
Examples, broke the Sabbath law by kneading
(Shab. xxiv.
3),
Sabbath
teh").
his crutch or
moreover, the reading
for which there is a strong
presumption, another explanation may be advanced.
"Take up thy bed " may be a inisapi)rehension of
the Aramaic "tol we/e," the well-known fornnda
for bidding one depart, "tol" being construed as
"pick up" (naturally, therefore, "thy couch"),
when in reality it means "pick thyself up," or
"walk away." Jesus' saying that the "Sabbath
was made for man, and not man for the Salibath"
(Mark ii. 27) is a free triuislation of the -Mekilta's
comment on Ex. xxxi. 13 "The Sabbath is given
over unto you. vo\i are not delivered unto the Sab-
staff
).
If.
bath."
Celebration.
"Jewish Life
in the Jliddle
Ages."
p.
blO).
its
rei)futiiij;
ti)
Sabbath
Prayers,
might have worked hardship; but the institugoy met the exigency, though
MeVr Rntlieuburg and Solomon ben Adret scrupled
to avail
I.e.
p. 327).
The
dis-
Abrahams,
I.e.
p. 236).
The
Rabl)is regarded
less serious
The Minbali service interrupted studbut this prayer having been concluded, the dis-
ter," p. 328).
ies,
licard.
mony that
Even
the pro-
dated
itself to
the
demands
of
life.
E. G. H.
.1.
coMiiiieuceil.
fire
was
598
Sabbath
Laws
and the
Judaism, naturally engaged the attention of the
Rabbis and of the coditiers to a very great extent.
The few scattered laws of the Bible jjertaining to
the observance of this day grew into two large volumes of the Talmud (Shabbat and 'Erubin), into
thirty-eight chapters of the code of Maimonidcs,
and into 175sectionsof Caro's Shulhan 'Aruk. The
present article can deal only with the more important laws, especially those having relation to the conditions of modern life.
The.se may be conveniently
treated under two headings: (1) laws prohibiting
the iierforniance of any kind of work; and (2) tho.se
599
31
1.
art-
TIIK
JKWISH E>X'YCLOPEDIA
made
The 3Iishuah
Each of
comprises a number of
Sabbath
no punishment.
tore
some
thereon (Shab.
in order to
9.")a;
"Yad,"
I.e.
i.
.'5,
6).
The work,
make
danger to
When
3).
"Yad,"
I.e. ii.
23-2,5).
The Rabbis,
"
Sabbath
ters, to
Jew might
the
Jew
it
was known
that
Jew.
for
it
if
Orali
Hayyim,
Tlie Kabbis forbid also the handling on tlie Sal)bath-day of objects tliat are ".set aside " (" niuk/.eli ")
For instance, it is
for work prohibited on that day.
forbidden to handle money, .stones, boanls, and objects not regarded as vessels (e.f/., a candlestick in
which candles have burned, although they are now
ixtingiMshed, or a purse in whieli money has been
held, although now empty), since tliesc objects were
" set aside " for service sueh as is not permitted on the
Sabbath. Vessels or other objects that are used in
w<n-k prohibited on the Sabbath may not be handled unless they are needed for an action that may
be performed. For instance, a hammer may be
liandled if it is needed for the jnirpose of cracking
nuts, or if the place whereon it lies is needed but it
may not be handled for its own sake, e.r/., to provide against its being stolen or damaged. It is also
forbidden to handle objects tliat came into their
present form of existence on the Sabbath ("nolad"),
as an egg laid, fruit that fell from a tree, or milk
milked by a non-Jew, on that day (" Vad," I.e. x.\v.,
;
.xxvi.
oVah Hayyim.
308, 13).
is,
to read business or even personal letspeak of profane objects, and the like. It
however, permitted to speak or calculate about
Journey
Limited,
side,
xxviii.
V. 204, x.v.
600
'Erube Tehumin).
601
13).
tliat
obligation resting
to eat three
see Hidk.v)
warned against
On
this
XXX.:
Oral.i
Hayyim,
242,
249,
250,
260,
262
et
tlie
Before the
reguhir evening prayers on Friday night, the Sabbath is introduced ("kabbalat Sliabbat") by tlie
chanting of Ps. xcv.-xcix. (the Sepliardim omit
these) and xxix., " Lekah Dodi," and Ps. xcii.-xciii.
Some read also before the evening service tlie Song
of Solomon, selections from the Zohar, and some
cabalistic poems.
The service proper is tlie same
as on week-days, except that the hist blessing before
The 'Amidah is replaced by the two verses Ex.
xxxi. 16, 17. Achangefrom the regular form is made
"
also at the end of the benediction "Hashkibeuu
(the
changes made by
tlie
Sephardim
Sabbath
tlic latter
Kiddush
is recited by the reader after the 'Amidah so that
even those who have no homes may liear this blessIn many synagogues the Mishnah of the secing.
tent in
tlie
different services of
tlie
day.
treatise
Shabbat
read before
Is
Kiddush.
In the morning service the "Zemirot" are augmented by the addition of Ps. xix., xxxiv.. xc. xci.,
dim read
"
").
The
hymns and
psalms.
is
replaced the
("maggid "), who delivers a homiletic address during the afternoon in more modern synagogues the
address is delivered by the rabbi during the morning service after the scroll is replaced in the Ark.
The Mixn.Mi service begins with the reading of
"Ashre" (Ps. cxlv.) and "I'ba le-Ziyyon GoY-l."
after which the first section of the next week's portion of the Law is read, when only three persons
:
tliree
kolien,
serj.).
Sabbath
Israelite
are
called
up
SabbathAfternoon
Service.
Amidah
it is
After the
customary to read one of
Prayei-s
287, and "Ture Zahab " ndloc.).
dead are read in some synagogues before (he
scroll is replaced in the Ark. after which a general
prayer for the soulsof Jewish martyrs of all generaThese prayers
tions ("ab harahamim ") is recited.
Hayyim,
for the
Sabbath Leaves
Sabbath and Sunday
should be omitted when there is present in the synagogue !i bridegroom or the father of a child that is
to be circumcised on that day, or when the day of
the approaching new moon is proclaimed, or on any
other joyous occasion (Orah Hayyira, 284, 7, Isserles' gloss).
The
pleasures
of the
paragraph
"The institution of the Sabbath and the prohibition against
idolatry are each equal in importance to all the other laws of
the Torali [oomp. Hul. .'la].
The Sabbath is also a sign between the Holy One, blessed be He and us forever. Therefore while he who transgresses all the other laws of the Torah
is regarded merely as one of the wicked ones of Israel, he who
publicly desecrates the Sabbath is placed on the same level with
tlie idolater.
Thus the prophet Isaiah says, Blessed is the
man that doetb this, and the son of man that layeth hold on it;
that Ijeepeth the Sabbath from polluting it, and keepeth his
hand from doing any evil' [Isa. Ivi. 2]. Tradition plainly declares that the reward of him who obsen'es the Sabbath in all
Its details will be greater in this world than in the world to
come, as it is written, Then shall thou delight thyself in the
Lord and I will cau.se thee to ride upon the high places of the
earth, and teed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father; for
" Yad,"
the mouth of the Lord hath spoken It '" (ift. Iviii.
;
I.e. XXX. 15; comp. Maimonides, " Moreh," ii. 31).
.
'
E. c.
J.
G.
See
SABBATH-SCHOOLS
(termed also
See Periodicals.
L.tiip,
Sabbath.
Sunday-
Among
the
United
ular in
States,
its
nature,
re-
If religious in-
SABBATH LEAVES.
SABBATH LIGHTS.
.Jews
II.
602