Shabbat Shalom. New Temporary Exhibition at the MEIS Museum in Ferrara

The new MEIS exhibition “Shabbat Shalom”, curated by Amedeo Spagnoletto, takes you on a journey through Shabbat, the weekly day of rest in the Jewish tradition. Shabbat is a ritual that has been shaping identity and has left a profound mark on Western culture: on this day, commitments and frenzy of weekdays are set aside to make way for spirituality, those you love and enjoy being together.

“Shabbat Shalom” is a greeting of peace exchanged in all Jewish communities on the eve of Saturday and throughout the day. Shabbat means ‘cessation’ or ‘interruption’ and prescribes rest beginning at sunset on Friday, ending when the three stars appear Saturday night. What sets this day apart from all others? Why has the notion of rest been embraced as an ethical principle by so many civilisations?

The MEIS’ exhibition curated by Amedeo Spagnoletto invites visitors to experience the key moments of this day whose rhythms, emotions and rules differ from the other days of the week starting with the preparation on the eve of Shabbat right through to the Havdalah ceremony that sets its time apart from the ordinary time.

A journey to discover the rituals, stories and ideas of a religious and cultural dimension that has accompanied the Jewish people ever since the beginning. As Ahad Ha’am (Asher Zvi Hirsch Ginsberg) wrote, “more than the Jews have kept the Sabbath, the Sabbath has kept the Jews.” The intimate relationship between the Jewish people and Shabbat is also highlighted by a midrash, offering deeper insight and interpretation (exegesis) of the Torah. It is said that Shabbat turned to the Lord, and said, “Lord of the Universe, every day of the week has a partner except me,” and the Lord replied: “The Assembly of Israel will be its partner” (Bereishit Rabbah 11:8).

Through ancient and contemporary artefacts, stories and delicious recipes, the exhibition blossoms into a wealth of fascinating facts, inviting you to step into a different time, where slowing down becomes a way to rediscover what truly matters.