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THE BETA ISRAEL CURRICULUM

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SHABBAT

 

Rabbi Dr. Sharon Shalom, From Sinai to Ethiopia, p. 117
According to the sacred books of the Ethiopian Jewish community, the sanctity of Shabbat is very great, and exceeds that of all other mitzvot and the holidays. According to Ethiopian tradition, the angel responsible for Shabbat is named Sanbat, and he was created before the creation of the world. He rules over the sun and the rain, and guards all those who take shelter in his shadow. Thousands of angels submit to his authority, and he will show us the way to Jerusalem when the time of redemption arrives. Shabbat is not one of the days of the week – it is beyond time.
Rabbi Dr. Sharon Shalom, From Sinai to Ethiopia, p. 121
On Friday before Shabbat, the Beta Israel did not light fires or candles for Shabbat (before Shabbat began, they did not begin any labor that was forbidden on Shabbat, so that it would not end after Shabbat had begun). Further, they did not make use of fire on Shabbat, even if it was lit before Shabbat. Still, in several locations in Ethiopia, people left a candle or fire lit for the purpose of light only. After this fire went out, it was forbidden to touch it. But they did not light candles to welcome Shabbat.
Rabbi Dr. Sharon Shalom, From Sinai to Ethiopia, p. 133
According to Ethiopian halakha, saving a life does not take precedence over any mitzvah. Even if there is danger in fulfilling the mitzvah, we do not consider the danger, but rather the value of fulfilling the mitzvah. Thus, saving a life is not defined as a mitzvah. In the religious world of the Ethiopian community, there is no hierarchical division of mitzvot – there is no distinction between a minor mitzvah and a major one.

 

Rabbi Dr. Sharon Shalom, From Sinai to Ethiopia, p. 141
The Ethiopian Jews are accustomed to use any item on Shabbat that is needed for serving God. In Ethiopia, the Beta Israel used to bring coins to the synagogue on Shabbat, following the verse “Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the Lord your God which He has given you” (Deuteronomy 16:17). [Contrasting this, Rabbinic law rules that] money is among the items which we are forbidden to move or handle [on Shabbat].