"If a non-Jewish person so greatly respects our religion and even calls on non-Jews to rest on Shabbat, then all the more so should we Jews," said Rabbi David Yosef.

Some are embracing the boost for Judaism's central practice. Others say it's an avatar of Christian nationalism.

The event, critics say, favored Christianity. For the faithful, though, it was an acknowledgement of God's blessings upon the ...