Sabbathday

The Sabbath day, or Sabbathday, is a day of religious observance and rest in several Judeo-Christian traditions. The term derives from the Hebrew Shabbat, meaning to cease or rest. In biblical usage, it is the seventh day of the week and commemorates God’s rest after creation.

In Judaism, Shabbat begins Friday at sunset and ends Saturday night. It is a day set apart for worship, study and meals with family, and for refraining from work and certain ordinary activities. Traditional practices include candle lighting, special prayers, and festive meals, often observed in the home and at the synagogue.

In Christian tradition, the Sabbath is commonly observed on Sunday, the Lord’s Day, with communal worship and rest from regular labors. Some denominations, notably Seventh-day Adventists and certain Sabbatarian groups, observe Saturday as the Sabbath. Interpretations range from viewing the Sabbath as a weekly obligation to a symbolic or ongoing principle fulfilled in Christ.

Outside Judaism and mainstream Christianity, the term survives in phrases such as “Sabbath rest” and “sabbatical” from the same root. In Islam, Friday is a day of communal prayer but is not regarded as a Sabbath; the concept is distinct in Islamic tradition. In modern usage, “Sabbath” can also refer more generally to any day of rest.