Say to the Israelites, you must observe my Sabbaths. This will be a sign between me and you for the generations to come, so you may know that I am the Lord, who makes you holy. The Sabbath as covenant sign is declared with the same force as circumcision in Genesis 17. The making holy — mekadish — is the priestly act of consecration applied to an entire people through a temporal practice. Ezekiel 20:12 says God gave Israel the Sabbaths as a sign between them, to know that He is the Lord who makes them holy. The Sabbath both distinguishes and forms the community simultaneously.

COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS

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