For this the L–rd blessed the Sabbath day and He sanctified

Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael Mekhilta Tractate Bachodesh 7:19

Curated by The Jewish Mythology Team · Published January 20, 2025

"For this the L–rd blessed the Sabbath day and He sanctified it": He blessed it with the manna (by providing a double portion on the sixth day), and he sanctified it with the manna (by not having it fall on the Sabbath). These are the words of R. Yishmael. R. Akiva says: He blessed it with the manna and sanctified it with a blessing ("who sanctifies the Sabbath"). R. Yitzchak says: He blessed it with the manna and sanctified it with (abstention from) labor. R. Shimon b. Yochai says: He blessed it with the manna and sanctified it with the luminaries, (which functioned the entire night of the first Sabbath.) R. Shimon b. Yehudah of Kfar Acco says in the name of R. Shimon. He blessed it with the manna and sanctified it with the luminescent countenance of Adam. Thus: "For this the L–rd blessed the day of Sabbath and sanctified it."

Themes

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