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Genesis 2:3 - Shabbat: Divine rest, eternal holiness

Genesis 2:3 - בראשית 2:3

Hebrew Text

וַיְבָרֶךְ אֱלֹהִים אֶת־יוֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִי וַיְקַדֵּשׁ אֹתוֹ כִּי בוֹ שָׁבַת מִכָּל־מְלַאכְתּוֹ אֲשֶׁר־בָּרָא אֱלֹהִים לַעֲשׂוֹת׃

English Translation

And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because in it He rested from all his work which God had created and performed.

Transliteration

Vayevarekh Elohim et-yom hashvi'i vayekadesh oto ki vo shavat mikol-melakhto asher-bara Elohim la'asot.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיְבָ֤רֶךְ אֱלֹהִים֙ אֶת־י֣וֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִ֔י וַיְקַדֵּ֖שׁ אֹת֑וֹ כִּ֣י ב֤וֹ שָׁבַת֙ מִכׇּל־מְלַאכְתּ֔וֹ אֲשֶׁר־בָּרָ֥א אֱלֹהִ֖ים לַעֲשֽׂוֹת׃ <span class="mam-spi-pe">{פ}</span><br>
וַיְבָ֤רֶךְ אֱלֹהִים֙ אֶת־י֣וֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִ֔י וַיְקַדֵּ֖שׁ אֹת֑וֹ כִּ֣י ב֤וֹ שָׁבַת֙ מִכׇּל־מְלַאכְתּ֔וֹ אֲשֶׁר־בָּרָ֥א אֱלֹהִ֖ים לַעֲשֽׂוֹת׃ {פ}

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

The Blessing of the Seventh Day

The verse states, "וַיְבָרֶךְ אֱלֹהִים אֶת־יוֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִי" ("And God blessed the seventh day"). Rashi explains that the blessing refers to the manna in the wilderness, where a double portion fell on Friday (Exodus 16:22), enabling the Israelites to observe Shabbat without gathering food. This demonstrates that Hashem provides sustenance to those who sanctify Shabbat.

The Sanctification of Shabbat

The verse continues, "וַיְקַדֵּשׁ אֹתוֹ" ("and sanctified it"). The Rambam (Hilchot Shabbat 29:1) teaches that this sanctification was eternal, establishing Shabbat as a day set apart for holiness. The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 11:2) elaborates that Hashem imbued the seventh day with a unique spiritual quality, making it inherently holy for all generations.

The Reason for Shabbat's Sanctity

The verse concludes, "כִּי בוֹ שָׁבַת מִכָּל־מְלַאכְתּוֹ" ("because in it He rested from all His work"). The Talmud (Beitza 16a) explains that "rest" does not imply physical fatigue—as Hashem is beyond such limitations—but rather a cessation of creative activity. The Sforno adds that this cessation serves as a model for humanity, teaching us to emulate Hashem by withdrawing from mundane labor to focus on spiritual elevation.

Key Teachings from the Verse

  • Shabbat as a Divine Gift: The blessing of Shabbat includes both physical sustenance (as with the manna) and spiritual enrichment (Sanhedrin 58b).
  • Inherent Holiness: Shabbat's sanctity is not contingent on human action but is intrinsic to the day itself (Pesachim 117b).
  • Imitatio Dei: By resting on Shabbat, we mirror Hashem's cessation of creative work, affirming our belief in His role as Creator (Mechilta, Yitro).

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Shabbat 10b
The verse is referenced in the discussion about the sanctity of the Sabbath and how God blessed and sanctified the seventh day.
📖 Megillah 9a
The verse is mentioned in the context of the translation of the Torah into Greek and the significance of the Sabbath.
📖 Chagigah 12a
The verse is cited in a discussion about the creation of the world and the sanctification of the Sabbath.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does it mean that God 'blessed' and 'sanctified' the seventh day?
A: According to Rashi, God 'blessed' the seventh day by giving it special spiritual abundance (like the manna that fell double before Shabbat in the desert). 'Sanctified' means God set it apart as holy, making it a day dedicated to rest and connection with the Divine. The Talmud (Beitzah 16a) explains that Shabbat carries an extra 'neshama yeseira' (additional soul) for this purpose.
Q: Why did God rest on the seventh day?
A: The Rambam (Guide for the Perplexed 2:31) teaches that God doesn't physically need rest. By 'resting,' the Torah teaches us the importance of stopping creative work to reflect on creation. As the Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 10:9) says, just as God ceased from melacha (creative work), we too must cease to acknowledge Him as Creator.
Q: How do we observe this verse today?
A: Orthodox Judaism observes this through Shabbat (the seventh day). We refrain from the 39 categories of melacha (creative work) as derived from the Mishnah (Shabbat 7:2), just as God ceased from creation. We make Kiddush to sanctify the day (as God did) and enjoy special meals, Torah study, and family time to embody its blessed nature.
Q: Why is the seventh day special if God created all days?
A: The Sforno explains that while all days are part of creation, the seventh day is uniquely a testimony to God's creation of the world ex nihilo (from nothing). By resting on it, we affirm our belief in the Creator. The Zohar calls Shabbat the 'source of all blessing,' as it channels spiritual energy into the week.
Q: What does 'melacha' (work) mean in this verse?
A: Melacha refers specifically to the 39 categories of creative work used in building the Mishkan (Tabernacle), as listed in the Talmud (Shabbat 49b). These acts—like planting, writing, or building—mirror God's creative acts during the six days. We abstain from them on Shabbat to emulate God's 'rest' from creation (Mechilta on Exodus 20:11).