Why We Should Be Saying Shabbat Instead of Sabbath

Shalawam, Achiym and Achothy,

As Yashar'el continues awakening to our heritage, it’s important we reclaim not just our identity but also the purity of our language. Words have power—they carry history, meaning, and spiritual weight. One key example is the term many of us use for our set-apart day of rest: “Sabbath.” While this term is widely recognized, its origins and usage highlight the need for us to shift back to the original word: Shabbat (𐤔𐤁𐤕).

1. Shabbat Is Rooted in Our Original Tongue

The word "Shabbat" comes directly from the Hebrew Scriptures, derived from the root 𐤔𐤁𐤕 (Sh-B-T), meaning "to cease, rest, or stop." This reflects the instruction of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 in Shemoth (Exodus) 20:8-11, where we are commanded to remember the Shabbat and keep it set apart. By using Shabbat, we connect more authentically to the language given to our forefathers.

2. Sabbath Is a Latinized Interpretation

The term "Sabbath" came through Greek and Latin translations, where the sacredness of the original term was altered by languages foreign to our people. It entered English through these lenses, stripped of its Paleo-Hebrew purity. The use of "Sabbath" often reflects the influence of Christianity, which historically redefined many of our practices, aligning them with Roman traditions rather than the Torah.

3. Reclaiming the Sound of Our Heritage

The Most High, 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄, calls us to be a set-apart people (Deḇarim 7:6). Restoring our language is a vital part of that. Words like Shabbat carry the essence of what 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 commanded us to remember. They remind us of who we are and what He requires of us. Saying Shabbat not only honors our ancestral tongue but also strengthens our connection to the covenant.

4. Spiritual Restoration

The adversary has worked tirelessly to distort and replace the truth of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄’s Word. Using "Sabbath" may seem minor, but it represents centuries of assimilation into foreign customs. Returning to Shabbat helps us peel back the layers of colonization and reconnect to the instructions of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 as they were given to our ancestors.

5. It's About Obedience and Precision

When we say "Shabbat," we proclaim the day as 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 established it, preserving the sound and significance He gave it. As Yashar'el, part of our awakening is precision—keeping Torah in spirit and truth. Replacing "Sabbath" with Shabbat is a small but significant act of obedience.

Let us encourage one another to embrace our original language where possible, starting with sacred words like Shabbat. By doing so, we honor 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 and set an example for those around us, showing the world that Yashar'el is returning to the way of the covenant.

BaRaKaYaM and stay prayed up, Achiym!

Mishlei 27:17 – "Iron sharpens iron."

#reclaimourheritage #shabbatnotsabbath #yasharelawakening