88

Not to do prohibited labor on the seventh day

The Luchos - Ten Commandments
מִצְוָה עֲשֵׂה - Positive Commandment
מִצְוָה לֹא תַעֲשֶׂה - Negative Commandment
Shabbat – שַׁבָּת

We are forbidden from performing work (melacha) on Shabbat.

This mitzvah prohibits performing creative labor (melachah) on Shabbat. The Torah defines 39 categories of labor, modeled on the work required to build the Mishkan. By refraining from these activities, we recognize Hashem as the Creator and demonstrate our trust in Him as the source of livelihood and existence. Observing Shabbat through rest and sanctity separates Israel from idolatry and material obsession, elevating the day as holy.

Commentary & Classical Explanation:

  • Rambam (Hilchot Shabbat 1:2): Teaches that refraining from labor is central to the sanctity of Shabbat, and its desecration is a capital offense in the Torah.
  • Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 33): The root is to affirm creation and Hashem’s providence, reminding us that true blessing comes not from work but from Hashem.
  • Talmud (Shabbat 49b): Connects the categories of forbidden labor to the activities of constructing the Mishkan.
(Source: Chabad.org)
וְי֨וֹם֙ הַשְּׁבִיעִ֔֜י שַׁבָּ֖֣ת ׀ לַיהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֑֗יךָ לֹֽ֣א־תַעֲשֶׂ֣֨ה כׇל־מְלָאכָ֜֡ה אַתָּ֣ה ׀ וּבִנְךָ֣͏ֽ־וּ֠בִתֶּ֗ךָ עַבְדְּךָ֤֨ וַאֲמָֽתְךָ֜֙ וּבְהֶמְתֶּ֔֗ךָ וְגֵרְךָ֖֙ אֲשֶׁ֥֣ר בִּשְׁעָרֶֽ֔יךָ׃ - פָּרָשַׁת יִתְרוֹ
Exodus 20:10 - "but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord, your God; you shall perform no labor, neither you, your son, your daughter, your manservant, your maidservant, your beast, nor your stranger who is in your cities."

This Mitzvah's Fundamentals

Shabbat - שַׁבָּת

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For mitzvot that honor, safeguard, and sanctify the Shabbat day of rest.

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Covenant - בְּרִית

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Tied to the eternal covenant between G‑d and the Jewish people, including signs like brit milah and Shabbat.

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Holiness - קְדֻשָּׁה

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Represents the concept of  spiritual intentionality, purity, and sanctity—set apart for a higher purpose.

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