Sometimes school and life and God play tricks on me. Over the weekend for one of my classes I had to read Abraham Joshua Heschel’s “The Sabbath”, which gives his philosophy of Judaism as a religion of time and the Sabbath, or Shabbat, as the figurative bride of Israel, connecting Jews to God and freeing us from the chaos of the week. “The Sabbath is not for the sake of the weekdays; the weekdays are for the sake of Sabbath. It is not an interlude but the climax of living,” Heschel writes in his elegant and beautiful prose. “The Sabbath is the day on which we learn the art of surpassing civilization.”
Generally I do not observe the Sabbath. In high school for about two years, however, I did and I truly do enjoy a good Shabbat. In Jerusalem this past summer I observed every Shabbat with joy and happiness that came from a Sabbath-friendly environment and good friends to share it with. I walked all over the city to enjoy Sabbath meals with friends without breaking the prohibition against driving and I refrained from using electronics or money.
Now, though I generally spend all day Saturday studying and reading, I go to Friday night services dressed to the nines, have a nice dinner on Friday nights, and do my best to acknowledge the Sabbath in my own special, although generally non-halakhic (not according to Jewish law), way. Today Professor Edward Kaplan of Brandeis, who wrote a recent biography of Heschel, spoke to our class and pointed out that in “The Sabbath,” the thirty-nine categories of work forbidden on Shabbat are not mentioned at all. That is because Heschel was more concerned with the internal state of experiencing the Sabbath, he said. I liked that.
Last week my watch broke and my laptop, despite having its hard drive completely erased at the Apple Store yesterday, refuses to let me move the cursor. As a result, I cannot charge my iPod and for at least the next few days, I am rendered naked of some of my beloved gadgets.
Reading “The Sabbath” I came across this line, which I think sums up the idea of Shabbat beautifully in addition to addressing my current predicament and reminding me of the sanctity of Shabbat:
“In regard to external gifts, to outward possessions, there is only one proper attitude – to have them and to be able to do without them. On the Sabbath we live, as it were, independent of technical civilization.”
Touché, Heschel, touché.
Comments (10)
Add a third "C" to your little chronicle. CHARMING?
But surely I'm not alone in being less than charmed (far less)about yours and your families fear of being contaiminated by going into a church.
How can you stand being in a nation that is mostly Christian? It must be very difficult for you!
Noting how much you just love Israel and it's religious rituals, etc, it's PEACE loving nature, it's lack of corruption and hate... wouldn't you be happier there?
Meantime, surely everyone hopes you remain perfect and uncontaminated even among US!
Posted November 9, 2007 2:15 PM
Posted on November 9, 2007 14:15
Add a third "C" to your little chronicle. CHARMING?
But surely I'm not alone in being less than charmed (far less)about yours and your families fear of being contaiminated by going into a church.
How can you stand being in a nation that is mostly Christian? It must be very difficult for you!
Noting how much you just love Israel and it's religious rituals, etc, it's loving nature, it's lack of corruption and hate... wouldn't you be happier there?
Meantime, surely everyone hopes you remain perfect and uncontaminated even among US!
Posted November 9, 2007 2:14 PM
Posted on November 9, 2007 14:14
Recently, my pastor preached on "The Sabbath." It was such a wonderful series. Truly, the Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath. There is also a wonderful book called "Sabbath Keeping - Finding Freedom In the Rhythms of Rest" which helped me not focus on the "don'ts" of Sabbath keeping, encourages us to find and shows various ways people observe it. One interesting fact; when we keep the Sabbath, somehow all the things we need to do are actually accomplished within the other 6 days. And if not, then they weren't as important as we originally thought.
Shalom.
Peace.
Posted November 8, 2007 6:35 PM
Posted on November 8, 2007 18:35
I am a non-observant Jew but think of the Sabbath as a special time separate from the worldly week. As to Mitch--he missed the point totally. The Sabbath is not to worship G-D but to rejoice and celebrate the glories of what has been given to us--even if one does not believe in a supreme diety.
Posted November 8, 2007 5:59 PM
Posted on November 8, 2007 17:59
I am a non-observant Jew but think of the Sabbath as a special time separate from the worldly week. As to Mitch--he missed the point totally. The Sabbath is not to worship G-D but to rejoice and celebrate the glories of what has been given to us--even if one does not believe in a supreme diety.
Posted November 8, 2007 5:58 PM
Posted on November 8, 2007 17:58
I am a Christian and I too celebrate Sabbath (Saturday), however,not with so many do's and don'ts. I spend my time reading and studying the Bible and some biblical related books, and I pray and think about God and how he wants me to behave. I overview my past week and analize my behavior and attitude and seek to make corrections or get myself back on the right path if I stray. I take walks and enjoy what God created. I do good works or visit sick family or friends. It's lovely and by giving time to be with God, he rewards me with spiritual thoughts that teach me or inpsire me to go beyond what I already know. I look forward to the peace and serenity Sabbath brings.
Posted November 8, 2007 5:45 PM
Posted on November 8, 2007 17:45
I am a Christian and I too celebrate Sabbath (Saturday), however,not with so many do's and don'ts. I spend my time reading and studying the Bible and some biblical related books, and I pray and think about God and how he wants me to behave. I overview my past week and analize my behavior and attitude and seek to make corrections or get myself back on the right path if I stray. I take walks and enjoy what God created. I do good works or visit sick family or friends. It's lovely and by giving time to be with God, he rewards me with spiritual thoughts that teach me or inpsire me to go beyond what I already know. I look forward to the peace and serenity Sabbath brings.
Posted November 8, 2007 5:43 PM
Posted on November 8, 2007 17:43
I am a Christian and I too celebrate Sabbath, however,not with so many do's and don'ts. I spend my time reading and studying the Bible and some biblical related books, and I pray and think about God and how he wants me to behave. I overview my past week and analize my behavior and attitude and seek to make corrections or get myself back on the right path if I stray. I take walks and enjoy what God created. I do good works or visit sick family or friends. It's lovely and by giving time to be with God, he rewards me with spiritual thoughts that teach me or inpsire me to go beyond what I already know. I look forward to the peace and serenity Sabbath brings.
Posted November 8, 2007 5:40 PM
Posted on November 8, 2007 17:40
What you consider to be Dog is actually what science calls nature. What you 'feel' when you say you somehow feel Dog is just the feeling of being HUMAN. There is nothing other worldly about it. That's all been shoved down your throat since you were a wee lass so you've bought into the premise of an all-seeing guru. This is all there is. Enjoy it. That's all...
Posted November 8, 2007 2:31 PM
Posted on November 8, 2007 14:31
I am a Christian that observes the Sabbath (on Saturday). To me it is TRULY the most beautiful of days -- going to church, sharing a home-cooked meal with family & friends, feeding the homeless -- anything that glorifies God and brings you into a closer relationship with Him. Thank you for writing your article and shining some light on this beautiful day!!
Posted November 8, 2007 2:09 PM
Posted on November 8, 2007 14:09