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Which is better, more correct, or necessary?

In references to dates on tombstones,

יום שבת קודש or יום שבת?

Thanks very much!

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  • 2
    Shabbos Kodesh sounds more correct to me
    – Earl
    May 16, 2017 at 13:53
  • Why ask in reference to graves? Why not ask in general which is the proper name for the day?
    – DonielF
    May 16, 2017 at 14:07
  • @DonielF, that's a very fair comment. However, I wanted to mention the context, as this may play a role. For example, in more informal contexts the outcome may be different, as opposed to a matzeva, which could be argued as formal and holy, and requires respect. This is my intuition, but I could be wrong.
    – Larry
    May 16, 2017 at 14:18
  • I gather that there is a mitzvah to put a matzevah (tombstone). But, I'm not sure that there is any requirement to write anything at all on it. I know that sounds strange, but, I think that may be part of your premise in your question, that anything needs to be written. Thus, in a sense, does the tombstone have any "holiness" at all?
    – DanF
    May 16, 2017 at 15:29
  • I disagree with the 2 VTC b/c of "Hebrew language". There may be a halachic angle to this question. Larry, you may want to edit your question incorporating what was in your response to DonielF.
    – DanF
    May 16, 2017 at 15:32

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To me, saying יום שבת קודש denotes a more religious meaning, whereas just saying יום שבת seems secular, because in modern Hebrew יום שבת simply means "Saturday." I'd go with יום שבת קודש.

Of course, this is one hundred percent opinion. Since this website is not intended for questions on Hebrew grammar, I assume you are looking for people's personal opinions with explanations.

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    "Since this website is not intended for questions on Hebrew grammar, I assume you are looking for people's personal opinions" Actually, just as the site isn't for grammar, it isn't for opinion based questions.
    – mevaqesh
    May 17, 2017 at 2:12
  • @mevaqesh - Agreed. But do you agree with me?
    – ezra
    May 17, 2017 at 2:15
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    I agree that קודש means holy. Does tacking on an this adjective achieve anything? I don't know. While common in Hassidic literature and the like, classical Jewish literature didn't feel the need to hype everything up, like שבת קודש, and Torah hakedosha. (Not that they never used such terms). I think that like most other expressions, it is of little import, and anyone can use whichever they want.
    – mevaqesh
    May 17, 2017 at 2:29

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