Witness to God
October 19, 2012 - 5:00 am“‘You are my witnesses,’ declares the LORD, ‘and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me’.” — Isaiah 43:10
The Torah portion for this week, B’reisheet, is from Genesis 1:1–6:8 and Isaiah 42:5–43:10.
Every Saturday in the synagogue, just after the weekly Torah portion is read, we read a portion from Prophets. The verses from Prophets are always connected to the portion from the Torah. You don’t have to search hard to find the connection between Isaiah 42–43 and the beginning of Genesis. Genesis begins with the story of Creation. The portion from Isaiah ends with these words: “‘You are my witnesses,’ declares the LORD . . . ‘Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me.’” We need to bear witness that God is the eternal being Who created the world.
How do we serve as a witness for God? The Sages explain that we do this by observing the Sabbath.
Take a look at the fifth of the Ten Commandments: “Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God . . . For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day” (Exodus 20:9–11).
By observing the Sabbath, we acknowledge that God created the world in six days and then rested on the seventh. One day, every week, we remember that while we spend most of our lives working and creating, there is only one true Creator and He is our God.
A few years back, Benjamin Netanyahu was interviewed on Larry King Live. Larry said to him, “You live in the center of a hostile world. Do you ever get to really relax?” Netanyahu answered, “Yes, and I’ll tell you when. Every Saturday we have a day off. I take an hour and a half and I read from the Bible with my younger boy. I relax then and I draw a lot of spiritual strength.”
Many people mistakenly think that the Sabbath is merely a day of physical rest. But they are missing the whole point. The Sabbath is a day of spiritual connection. It’s a day to recognize God as the Master of the Universe and to study His Word. We don’t refrain from working just so that we can have a short break before we go back to the grind the next day; we rest from activity so that we can exercise our soul.
Everyone needs to recharge their batteries. But make sure that you revive your soul as well. Take one day a week to concentrate on all things spiritual. That one day a week will give direction to the other six and give more meaning to your entire life.
One day a week to rest from all our labors and to meditate on the Word of God, but when will they play football?!!
i am an ingrafted jew/hebrew just as my name suggest.
i, remember, receiving the 10 commandments and i have broken almostall of them but still striving to reach perfection.
recently,the day of rest been brought to my attention,and i want to know the proper day to observe Yahweh,s command.
my question is; those christains non jews who worshop on sunday, are they breaking the law?
brother john nduka
I have heard John 10:16 used in this case
And there are other sheep I have
That are nor of this fold, and these I have to lead as well.They too will listen to my voice, and there will be only one flock and one shepherd.
Hi Rabbi Eckstein,
Appreciate todays post about the Sabbath. As a Christian who observes the Sabbath, I have a question. You state the Sabbath is the fifth of the Commandments. I have always believed it is the fourth Commandment. How do you number the Ten Commandments?
Please believe me, I am not being critical of you just curious. The keeping of the Sabbath is an absolute!
Have a peaceful Sabbath,
Denny Hampton
In respect, I have the same Question. Thank you!
What a different world we would live in if ALL took this commandment seriously. I have looked up info on the subject, both Christian and Jewish. The orthodox Jew says gentiles should NOT observe Sabbath as God intended it only for the Jews. The Nicene council, along with other changes, worship was ‘changed’ to Sunday, the first day of the week. I believe God gave us the institution of the rest day in Genesis. This is for ALL people, it seems to me… The whole system of the operation of our society and the whole world for that matter does NOT acknowledge God or His laws and Holy days. I am looking, longing for the time when Messiah Jeshuah returns and establishes God’s kingdom. I want to not be knowingly sinning by disobeying the 4th commandment. Peace to all that follow our LORD.
FOR ALL PEOPLE, I agree,
Isaiah 56:3,6,7
Neither let the son of the stranger, that has joined himself to the Lord, speak,saying, the Lord has utterly seperated me from his people:neither let the eunuch say, behold i am a dry tree.
also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the Lord, to serve Him, and to love the name of the Lord, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and takes hold of my covenant;
Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar: for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.
HAPPY SABBATH