shabbaton
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The term shabbaton ({{langx|he|שבתון}}) may be translated into English to mean sabbatical. The concept of a sabbatical year (shmita) has a source in several places in the Bible (e.g. Leviticus 25), where there is a commandment to desist from working the fields in the seventh year.
Use in Israel
In contemporary Israel, when one takes a shabbaton, one takes the year off in search of other pursuits. It is an extended rest from work,{{Cite web |url=http://aitzchaim.com/2011/05/11/majco-shabbaton-what-is-a-shabbaton/ |title=What is a Shabbaton?}} a hiatus, typically 2 months plus.{{Citation needed|date=July 2012}}{{Dubious|reason=I don't think this can be sourced, since a shabbaton is usually a year|date=July 2012}} This period is called (a) sabbatical.
Use in English-speaking countries
In English-speaking countries, the term shabbaton is often employed to mean an event or program of education, and usually celebration, that is held on a Shabbat (Jewish sabbath). Sometimes a shabbaton is an entire weekend with the main focus on the Shabbat.{{Cite web |title=Portland Kollel/NCSY Shabbaton {{!}} Jewish Federation of Greater Portland |url=https://www.jewishportland.org/community-calendar/portland-kollelncsy-shabbaton |access-date=2024-12-08 |website=www.jewishportland.org |language=en-US}}
Many communities have such events, including youth groups, singles groups, synagogues, schools, social groups, charitable groups or even family reunions. These events can be multi-generational and wide open, or limited to a small specific group. A shabbaton can be held where a group usually meets, or at an off-site location. By calling such a program a shabbaton, rather than just a "retreat", one signifies recognition of the importance of Shabbat in the event or program.