The Jewish Sabbath

Samson Raphael Hirsch provides the reader with a very emotional exhortation to observe the Sabbath. It is essentially a long speech geared towards Jews. He makes very excellent analogies that spur the spirit to observe Shabbat. Translator Ben Josephussoro: “Every Jew in German speaking countries, knows how much the writings of this man, with their vivid freshness of color, their modernness, their almost unrivaled thoroughness, relieved by flashes of bright humor, have contributed towards a clearer conception of the mission of Judaism, and hence, also towards stimulating and elevating Jewish effort for its realization. These writings, in spite of their sometimes decried “fanciful exegesis” have become to hundreds and thousands of his disciples and followers a “viaticum” on their path of life, and they have enabled them to demonstrate to the world that it is possible to accomplish eminent achievements, in art and science, commerce and industry, nay, that it is possible even to be hard-working, poor and much harassed, and yet to remain a Jew faithful to the old Law, and devoted to the observance of the Sabbath. They have created ideals which have been instrumental in training the wealthy to charity and humility, and the poor to that unwavering trust in God and that cheerful spirit which is so often admired.”