God rested. But what does that mean?

The book of Genesis tells us, "And on the seventh day God finished his work" (Gen. 2:2). But according to Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer, a fascinating early medieval text that delves into biblical narratives, there's a whole other layer to the story. It's not just about resting; it's about dedication. Specifically, seven dedications.

Think of it this way: God didn't just create the world. God also consecrated it, set it apart as holy. The Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer teaches that God created seven dedications, six of which were immediately put into effect. God created the first day, finished all the work of that day, and dedicated it. As the Torah says, "And it was evening, and it was morning, one day" (Gen. 1:5). See? Dedicated. The same goes for the second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth days of creation. Each day was created, its purpose fulfilled, and then… dedicated.

But what about the seventh day? This is where it gets really interesting.

The text tells us that the seventh day wasn't dedicated to work. You'll notice that, unlike the previous six days, it doesn't say, "And it was evening and it was morning" in connection with the seventh day. Why not?

Because, according to the Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer, the dedication of the seventh day – Shabbat – is reserved for future generations. It's a gift held in trust for us.

It’s as if God said, "Here's this amazing creation, and I've set aside this special time, this Shabbat, not just for rest, but for something more profound."

The text then quotes the prophet Zechariah: "And there shall be one day which is known unto the Lord; not day, and not night" (Zech. 14:7). This "day" is understood as the Shabbat, a day beyond the ordinary cycle of work and rest, a day uniquely connected to the Divine. It's a day that transcends the typical definitions of time itself.

So, what does this all mean for us? Perhaps it means that Shabbat isn’t just a day off. It's a dedication, a consecration of time itself. It’s an opportunity to connect with the Divine in a way that’s different from the other six days of the week. It's a chance to step outside the ordinary and into something truly holy, something reserved just for us, by God.

Maybe, just maybe, that's what God was really doing on the seventh day. Not just resting, but giving us the greatest gift of all: a dedicated space in time to connect with the eternal.