The Sabbath Between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur is called Shabbath Teshuva (Sabbath of Repentance) or Shabbat Shuva (named for the Haftara Shuvu Yisrael — Hosea 14: 2-10– which is read on that day).
There was once an additional appellation for this Shabbath, which seemingly has been forgotten: Shabbath Beinatayim (the “Sabbath in Between”).
However, before discussing this special appellation, we must say a few words — in order to avoid a misunderstanding– about an identical expression (Shabbat Beinatayim, Shabbath SheBeinatayim) found in a geonic decision prohibiting fasting on the Sabbath between Rosh Hoshana and Yom Kipppur (the decision is quoted by early authorities, see Shibbolei HaLeket Hashalem, 306 and Mordecai, Rosh Hashana chapter 1). The expression used in this decision is not a new special name for that Sabbath, but a description of its place on the Jewish calendar; it is between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur. The Gaon used this phrase instead of the longer Shabbath Shebein Rosh Hashana Vyom Kipppur which is frequently employed in rabbinic writings. He did so especially because in that self-same sentence, he already mentioned Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur (See also T. Rosh Hashana 17b where the days between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur are called Beinatayim).
The later generations in Spain, the expression Shabbath Beinatayim became a general appellation for the Sabbath between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur. This we learn from a passage in Tzeror HaMor, a commentary on the Bible by Rabbi Avrahahm Saba, who lived at the time of the expulsion of the Jews from the Iberian peninsula and was himself an exile.
In his comments on Parahsat Ki Tissa, Rabbi Saba devoted much space to an elucidation of the name and importance of Shabbat Beinatayim. We will quote here in short some of his statements.
“Akh et Shabtotai Tishmoru” — Only keep My Sabbaths” (Shemot 31:13) This seems to allude to the two special Sabbaths of the year, the Shabbath HaGadol and the Shabbath Benatayim, which are signs respectively for the saintliness of the body and the saintliness of the soul. Shabbath HaGadol alludes to the physical redemption from Egypt. Shabbath Beinatayim suggests the salvation of the soul from the sinfulness of Egypt and the iniquity of the Golden Calf which was completely accomplished only on Yom Kippur.
“This Sabbath is called Shabbat Beinatayim because it is between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur. It stand between the Din (the strict application of the law of Rosh Hashana and the Rahamim (the exercise of mercy) of Yom Kippur.”
Rabbbi Sabba goes on to expound on the still deeper meaning of this Shabbath and on the significance of the name Shabbath Beinatayim.
From the little we have quoted it is evident that Shabbat Beinatayim, for the Jews of Spain, was a special name of the Sabbath between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur. Do we find the appellation Shabbath Beinatayim in other books of Spanish Torah literature, Besides Tzror HaMor?
In recent years two editions of Tzeror HaMor with explanatory notes were published in Israel. In the notes to both editions there is no mention of any book in which the above appellation appears. It seems that it is not found in many books. Perhaps it was used by Spanish Jews more often in speaking than in writing.
I will mention several books of Spanish Jewry in which Shabbat Benatayim is mentioned.
Fourteen years ago, Rabbi Moshe Yehuda Blau, the indefatigable editor and annotator of rabbinic manuscripts, published Sefer Mitvot Zemainiyot by Rabbi Yisrael ben R. Yosef of Toledo who was a student and colleague of Rabbi Asher ben Yehiel (Rosh). Shabbath Beinatayim is mentioned there in conneciton with the prohibition to fast on that day (From the context, it seems that the use here of Shabbath Beinatayim is rooted more in the aforementioned Geonic decision, that in popular usage of the phrase.
R. Yitzchak Arroyo, a descendant of the exiles from Spain and Portugal was active in Salonica where in 1578 he published his volume of sermons Tanhumot Kel. One sermon carries the heading, Parashat Ha’azinu for Shabbat Beinatayim.
Rabbi Yitzhak Wilhelm of the Central Lubavitch Library, Crown Heights, N.Y. drew my attention to the responsa of Rabbi Shemuel de Mina who was one of the great rabbinical leaders of 16th century Salonica. Shabbat Beinatayim appears in responsum, Yoreh De’ah 87. It says there: “Today Shabbath Beinatayim I have asked.” (The responsum is listed in the computerized index of responsa compiled by Bar Ilan University.)
I wish to take this opportunity to thank the director, Rabbi Sholom Ber Levine and the devoted and knowledgeable staff of the Central Lubavitch Library for the prompt and cordial service to all who consult their large and precious treasures.
The Jewish Press, Friday, Sept. 25, 1996