K’dushat HaYom

Over the course of a traditional Shabbat, kedushat hayom is recited four times. Each time, however, the Shabbat idea is conveyed with a different image of wholeness. On Friday evening, Shabbat is the world newborn and perfect. On Shabbat morning, Shabbat is a gift brought down from heaven by Moses, resplendent on Mount Sinai. Early in the afternoon, Shabbat transports us to the ritual drama of ancient worship in Jerusalem. And late in the day, at last, kedushat hayomimagines the entire Jewish people resting on the Sabbath throughout their generations.