Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does it mean that 'the people rested on the seventh day' in Exodus 16:30?
A: This verse refers to the first time the Jewish people observed Shabbat (the Sabbath) as a day of rest, following G-d's command. According to Rashi, this happened after the manna (heavenly bread) stopped falling on Shabbat, teaching them to trust in G-d's providence and refrain from work on the seventh day.
Q: Why is this verse about Shabbat important in Judaism?
A: This verse marks the first national observance of Shabbat by the Jewish people in the wilderness. The Rambam explains that this established Shabbat as a fundamental mitzvah (commandment) even before the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai, showing its central importance in Jewish life.
Q: What lesson can we learn from Exodus 16:30 about Shabbat?
A: The Midrash teaches that this verse shows how observing Shabbat requires faith - the Israelites had to trust that no manna would fall on Shabbat and they wouldn't go hungry. Today, we learn that keeping Shabbat demonstrates our trust in G-d as our provider, even when we pause from our work.
Q: How does the concept of resting on the seventh day apply to modern Shabbat observance?
A: Just as our ancestors refrained from gathering manna on Shabbat, today we refrain from the 39 categories of creative work (melacha) as derived from the Torah. The Talmud (Shabbat 73a) explains that these prohibitions remind us that G-d is the Creator and we emulate His rest on the seventh day.
Q: Why did the people start observing Shabbat at this point in the Torah?
A: According to traditional Jewish sources, this was a preparatory step before receiving the full Torah. The Mechilta explains that G-d gave them this mitzvah early to teach them about His authority and to prepare them for the complete system of commandments they would receive at Mount Sinai.
Context in the Torah
The verse "וַיִּשְׁבְּתוּ הָעָם בַּיּוֹם הַשְּׁבִעִי" (Exodus 16:30) appears in the narrative of the manna, where the Israelites are commanded to gather a double portion on the sixth day in preparation for Shabbat, when no manna would fall. This marks the first observance of Shabbat in the wilderness.
Rashi's Explanation
Rashi (Exodus 16:30) emphasizes that the people "rested" (וַיִּשְׁבְּתוּ) in accordance with Hashem's command. He notes that this demonstrates their acceptance of the sanctity of Shabbat even before the formal giving of the Torah at Sinai. The cessation of work on the seventh day was a fulfillment of the divine instruction (Exodus 16:29).
Rambam on Shabbat Observance
In Hilchot Shabbat (Laws of Shabbat 1:1), the Rambam (Maimonides) derives the obligation of Shabbat from this episode, highlighting that the cessation of labor (shevita) is a fundamental mitzvah. The people’s compliance with this command in the wilderness serves as a model for future generations.
Midrashic Insights
Halachic Significance
The Talmud (Shabbat 87b) derives from this verse that Shabbat was observed even before the giving of the Torah, reinforcing its foundational role in Jewish life. The Chizkuni further explains that the people’s rest was complete, encompassing all forms of labor, setting a precedent for the 39 categories of prohibited work (melachot).