V’shamru
V’shamru (Exodus 31:16–17) is a declaration of Shabbat’s eternal covenant, affirming that by observing Shabbat, the people of Israel honor the divine rhythm of creation and rest.
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Transliteration / Hebrew
V’shamru v’nei yisrael et ha-shabbat,
laasot et ha-shabbat I’dorotam b’rit olam.
Beini u-vein b’nei yisrael ot hi l’olam,
ki sheishet yamim asah Adonai et ha-shamayim v’et ha-aretz,
u-vayom ha-sh’vi-i shavat vayinafash.
וְשָׁמְרוּ בְנֵי־יִשְׂרָאֵל אֶת־הַשַּׁבָּת. לַעֲשׂוֹת אֶת־הַשַּׁבָּת לְדֹרֹתָם בְּרִית עוֹלָם:
בֵּינִי וּבֵין בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל אוֹת הִיא לְעֹלָם. כִּי־שֵׁשֶׁת יָמִים עָשָׂה יְהֹוָה אֶת־הַשָּׁמַיִם וְאֶת־הָאָרֶץ וּבַיּוֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִי שָׁבַת וַיִּנָּפַשׁ:
Translation (Lev Shalem)
The people Israel shall observe Shabbat, maintaining it as an everlasting covenant throughout all generations. It is a sign between Me and the people Israel for all time, that in six days ADONAI made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day, ceased from work and rested.