Shabbat is the weekly Hebrew Sabbath, which begins at sundown on Friday and lasts until sundown on Saturday. It is a time to rest, reflect, and reconnect with family, community, and with God. Observance of Shabbat involves a range of traditions and practices, such as lighting candles, reciting prayers, refraining from work and technology, and sharing a festive meal.
Hebrew festivals, or chagim in Hebrew, are holidays that commemorate significant events in Jewish history and tradition. They include Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Hanukkah, Purim, Passover, and Shavuot. Each festival has its own unique rituals and practices, such as blowing the shofar on Rosh Hashanah, lighting the menorah on Hanukkah, and eating matzah on Passover.
The festivals are times to celebrate the rich history, culture, and values of the Hebrew people, and to connect with family and community. They also offer opportunities for introspection, reflection, and renewal, as well as for acts of charity, kindness, and social justice.
Overall, Shabbat and Hebrew festivals are essential and meaningful parts of the Essene faith that offer opportunities for connection, celebration, and growth. Through the observance of these traditions, Hebrews around the world come together to honor their shared history, culture, and values, and to strengthen their connection to God, community, and the world around them.