Construction of Jewish Identity in Philo's Sabbath Explanations

According to Philo of Alexandria, the Sabbath is simultaneously universally relevant and particular to the Jewish people. This tension within Philo's writings provides a window into Philo's understanding of Jewish identity in relation to his Hellenistic world. According to him, because the seventh day is built into the structure of the universe, life ordered by the Sabbath accords with nature. Philo describes the Jews' Sabbath practice as the study of philosophy for the acquisition of virtue. Given this conception of the Sabbath as both natural and leading to the cultivation of respected virtues, observance ought to be attractive to and beneficial for all people. However, it is the Jews alone who thus order their lives, demonstrating the superiority of their ancestral law and way of life.