Why Keeping Shabbat Matters: The Divine Logic Behind the Day of Rest

One of the main reasons many believing Jews hesitate to fully embrace Shabbat observance is the thought: “Why would G-d care what I do on Shabbat? Does the infinite Creator really care if I, a mere human, turn on a light or start my car on this day?” They may believe that G-d created the world, but connecting that belief to their personal actions still feels like a big leap.

And yet, if one believes that the Torah is Divine truth, then it’s inconsistent to say “G-d doesn’t care if I keep Shabbat”. If G-d explicitly commanded us to observe Shabbat in the Torah, then clearly He does care. He gave us the Torah so we could know His will, and He didn’t present it as a suggestion, but as a binding instruction. Once you accept the Torah as Divine, you can't claim, “It’s irrelevant to G-d whether I observe this or not.”

Even if a person struggles to understand the logic behind a particular mitzvah, that shouldn't affect their commitment to fulfilling it. If the Torah is truly from G-d, then that alone should be reason enough to follow what it says, even without fully understanding the rationale behind each commandment.

Another common argument people make against Shabbat observance is that today, lighting a fire (or turning on a light) is much easier than it used to be—“Back then, it was hard work to make fire. Today it’s just a button.”

This misses the point entirely. Shabbat prohibitions aren’t based on how difficult an action is, but on whether it falls under the category of melacha—creative work. For example, it’s permitted to lift a heavy table on Shabbat, but striking a match, something easy and physically effortless, is prohibited.

The Torah forbids 39 categories of creative labor on Shabbat, not based on physical exertion, but because these acts represent creation, the very activity G-d ceased on the seventh day. This cessation is what we emulate.

Why does G-d command us not to create on Shabbat? Because He created the world in six days and rested on the seventh, and we testify to that truth by doing the same. As the Torah states: “The Children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, to observe the Sabbath throughout their generations as an everlasting covenant. Between Me and the Children of Israel it is a sign forever, for in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day He rested and was refreshed.” (Exodus 31:16–17)

Shabbat is our weekly declaration of faith—a sign that we believe the G-d of Israel is the Creator. G-d gave us His will and commandments in the Torah, and He designated Shabbat as the eternal sign of the covenant between Him and His people.

One Day - Just for Him

All week long we’re caught in an endless loop of work, errands, laundry, grocery shopping, carpools, appointments, and in that chaos, the most important thing in our lives can get lost: our purpose.

We weren’t created just to survive, but to grow spiritually, emotionally, and ethically. Shabbat is G-d’s way of giving us a divine pause. Once a week, He gives us a gift to step back from the rat race and reconnect with the core of our being. It's a day to remember our purpose and to draw closer to Him.

Shabbat, the Torah tells us, is not an ordinary day. It’s a day dedicated to G-d. As it says: “But the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your G-d; on it you shall not do any work…” (Exodus 20:10)

On this day we are to disconnect from the mundane, not only in our actions, but in our speech and even our thoughts. We let go of politics, business, errands, and distractions, and enter a different atmosphere - a private room where only we and G-d reside.

On Shabbat, the world stays outside. It’s just you and Him. This is what G-d wants: One day a week where we disconnect from everything and reconnect only with Him.