Even though I’m a Jewish professional myself, it happens—largely because while I love starting the weekend with a Shabbat evening service, I am married to a man who, despite being Jewish, could not be less interested in most Jewish activities like Shabbat services. The rabbis delineated 39 categories of work that are forbidden on Shabbat.

My family hadn’t been to synagogue in awhile. How is Shabbat celebrated? Its literal meaning is “Sabbath of Peace.” Shabbat [the Sabbath] officially begins at … Shabbat is celebrated, first and foremost, by observing the holy day as a day of rest from all work. In Hebrew, the word Shalom means “peace.” Over time, it has also come to be used as a greeting, and is now used to mean both “hello” and “goodbye.” “Shabbat Shalom” means “Shabbat Greetings,” and is the standard Shabbat salutation in Hebrew (many English and Yiddish speakers use a variation of this). In Hebrew, the word Shabbat means sabbath, and Shalom means peace (used as greeting or farewell).

Shabbat Greetings: What Does ‘Shabbat Shalom’ Mean in Hebrew & English?

Shabbat is considered a day of peace and holiness. So together, Shabbat Shalom means 'a peaceful Sabbath'. Shalom, y’all! Abraham Joshua Heschel refers to it as a “palace in time.” For Shabbat recipe ideas, click here. “Shabbat shalom” is a Hebrew greeting for the Jewish Sabbath.