Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does 'Six days shalt thou labour' mean in Exodus 20:9?
A: This verse, part of the Ten Commandments, teaches that work is a fundamental part of life. According to Jewish tradition (Rashi, Rambam), it emphasizes that just as resting on Shabbat is a mitzvah (commandment), so too is working during the six days of the week. It balances spiritual and physical responsibilities.
Q: Why is working for six days important in Judaism?
A: The Talmud (Avodah Zarah 3a) explains that work is dignified and necessary for sustaining life. By working six days, we fulfill our role in improving the world (tikkun olam) and earn the right to sanctify Shabbat properly. Rambam (Hilchot Melachim 6:7) also teaches that idleness leads to sin, so work keeps a person grounded.
Q: Does 'all thy work' mean we must finish everything in six days?
A: No. The Midrash (Mechilta on Exodus 20:9) clarifies that the phrase 'all thy work' means one should approach Shabbat as if all work is complete—even if it isn’t. This mindset helps us disconnect from weekday concerns and focus on Shabbat’s holiness (Rashi). Practical tasks can resume after Shabbat.
Q: How does this verse apply to modern work-life balance?
A: Jewish tradition (based on Rambam’s Shemonah Perakim) teaches that this verse establishes a divine framework: six days for productive labor and one day for spiritual renewal. Today, it reminds us to set boundaries, avoid overworking, and prioritize Shabbat as a time for family, Torah study, and rest.
Q: What kind of work is encouraged during the six days?
A: Halacha (Jewish law) permits any honest livelihood (Pirkei Avot 2:2), but emphasizes ethical work that contributes to society. The Talmud (Kiddushin 82a) praises labor that avoids dishonesty or exploitation. Rambam (Hilchot De’ot 5:1) also advises balancing work with Torah study and good deeds.
Literal Interpretation (Peshat)
The verse (Exodus 20:9) commands that one should engage in labor for six days of the week. Rashi explains that this is not merely a suggestion but a positive commandment to work during the six weekdays, parallel to the commandment to rest on Shabbat. The Rambam (Hilchot Shabbat 20:1) codifies this as a halachic obligation, stating that just as abstaining from work on Shabbat is a mitzvah, so too is working during the six days.
Philosophical and Ethical Dimensions (Derash)
The Midrash (Mechilta on Exodus 20:9) teaches that the juxtaposition of the command to work six days with the command to rest on Shabbat comes to emphasize that one's weekday labor should be conducted with the awareness that it leads to the sanctity of Shabbat. The Sforno adds that the purpose of working during the week is to enable one to focus on spiritual pursuits on Shabbat without distraction from material concerns.
Halachic Applications
Kabbalistic Insight (Sod)
The Zohar (Parashat Yitro) interprets the six days of work as corresponding to the six lower sefirot (divine emanations) through which G-d channels sustenance to the world. By working during these six days, we become partners with the divine in the ongoing creation and maintenance of the world, while Shabbat represents the higher sefira of malchut (kingship) where we cease our creative acts and recognize G-d's ultimate sovereignty.