Basic Jewish Beliefs

Basic Jewish beliefs are behind all Jewish practices. That's what
underlies the connection between Shabbos - the Jewish Sabbath
and kashrus - the laws of keeping kosher. The Definition of Kosher.com
is not a site about keeping Shabbos; that is a massive undertaking
which is not restricted to the subject of food. However, the site
is about all matters that have to do with keeping kosher.

What Does Shabbos Have To Do
With Keeping Kosher?

As explained in our How Do I Handle It? section, cooking and some
other food preparation activities are forbidden on the Jewish Sabbath.
Many of these restrictions apply on Jewish holidays as well.
There we have written an article on the mechanics of keeping kosher
on Shabbos. That article is about how. This article is about why.

Which Basic Jewish Beliefs?

The first and most critical of the basic Jewish beliefs is that the world did not come into existence by itself or by chance. It was created out of nothing by a Creator. Second, the Creator guides and maintains the world and all that is in it. Third, Man is the purpose of all creation and Man's purpose- our highest goal - is to actively recognize and proclaim that the Creator is the One Master of the Universe.

We justify our deeds, words, thoughts and feelings only to the extent that they are used toward that end - recognition of, and submission to, the Creator of all things.

The fourth of the basic Jewish beliefs is the most easily misunderstood. It involves the Jewish people and their state of being the chosen people.

Chosen - contrary to the implication - has nothing to do with rank or status. The Jewish people have never been populous, powerful or wealthy. Historically among the nations they have been small, weak, defenseless and dependent. In fact it is because of this very weakness that we have been chosen; chosen not for privilege but for responsibility. The responsibility, of course, is a privilege - the privilege of serving the Creator.

Guided by the wisdom of our forefathers, molded through slavery in Egypt, we - the Jewish people - were redeemed by direct visible action of the Creator.The weakest of nations were saved from the strongest by the Master of all. Why? The redemption was for the Jews to receive the Torah which would tell us how to serve the Creator. Jews, by our actions and behavior, demonstrate to others that the Creator - who redeemed us by visible miracles - is our King at all times.

Actions Speak Louder Than Words

These and all basic Jewish beliefs are concretely applied not by words but by Jewish practices. Shabbos - the Jewish Sabbath - is celebrated every seventh day as a reminder of the seventh day of creation. Jews cease creative work on Shabbos, recognizing that energy and time, like space and material things are creations. They are subject to limitations.

A Jew who keeps Shabbos affirms that his property, his ability and his time are the tools by which he demonstrates his recognition of the Creator. A Jew who does not keep Shabbos declares that he is master of his own creative ability - and denies creation and the Mastery of the Creator.

Kashrus is a Declaration

Jews make not one, but two statements, when we eat. Food sustains us; without it we cannot live. When we eat kosher food we declare that the Source of that food is the Creator - who created us, as well as the food. When we eat kosher food just because the Torah tells us to do so - and not because of its taste, nutrition or any other reason - we are saying even more. We declare that our Creator is both the Source of our sustenance and the Purpose of our existence.

That's what keeping kosher declares.
That's what Shabbos declares as well.

Keeping Kosher on Shabbos