The Sabbath Belongs to God Alone and Outlasts Every Generation

"Six days work shall be done" (Exodus 31:15); yet another verse says, "six days you shall labor" (Exodus 20:9). How can these two verses be reconciled? When Israel does the will of the Omnipresent, their work is done by others, as it says, "and strangers shall be your plowmen and your vinedressers" (Isaiah 61:5). And when Israel does not do the will of the Omnipresent, "six days you shall labor": their work is done by themselves, and not only that, but the work of others is done by them, as it says, "and you shall serve your enemies" (Deuteronomy 28:48). "And on the seventh day is a Sabbath of complete rest, holy." Why is this said? Because it says, "these are the appointed times of the LORD": one might think that just as the sanctity of the festivals is entrusted to the court, so the sanctity of the Sabbath is entrusted to the court. The verse teaches, "and on the seventh day is a Sabbath of complete rest, holy to the LORD": the Sabbath is entrusted to the LORD and is not entrusted to the court. And so it says, "and you shall keep the Sabbath," and it is written, "and the children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath." This is what Rabbi Natan used to say: profane one Sabbath on his behalf so that he may keep many Sabbaths. Rabbi Eliezer says: "to make the Sabbath" refers to a thing for which a covenant is sealed, and what is that? Circumcision. Rabbi Elazar ben Perata says: from where do you say that whoever keeps the Sabbath is credited as though he kept many Sabbaths? As it says, "and the children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath," and so forth. Rabbi Natan says: from where do you say that whoever keeps the Sabbath properly is credited as though he kept all the Sabbaths from the day the Holy One, blessed be He, created His world until the dead live again? As it says, "and the children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath," and so forth. "Between Me and the children of Israel," and not between Me and the nations. "It is a sign forever": this tells that the Sabbath shall never be annulled from Israel. And likewise every single matter for which Israel gave their lives endured in their hands, and a matter for which they did not give their lives did not endure in their hands. For example, the Sabbath, circumcision, Torah study, and immersion, for which they gave their lives, endured in their hands; whereas the Temple, the courts of law, the sabbatical years, and the jubilees, for which Israel did not give their lives, did not endure in their hands. "For in six days," and so forth, "He rested from the labor of His creative work." Or perhaps also from judgment? The verse teaches, "and was refreshed," telling that judgment is never suspended before Him. And so it says, "righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne," and it is written, "the Rock, His work is perfect" (Deuteronomy 32:4), and so forth.