Do Shabbat - a powerful pulse in our lives

Jewish tradition holds that the crown of creation is the institution of Shabbat. In Genesis we read: “On the seventh day, God ended the work of creation; on the seventh day, God rested with all the work complete. God blessed the seventh day and called it holy, for with this day God completed the work of creation.” From the very time of creation, Judaism has provided us with a weekly respite from the business of our world, and the periodic respite we so desperately need. Abraham Joshua Heschel, the towering 20^th-century figure, wrote: “Judaism is a religion of time aiming at the sanctification of time.” Accordingly, if we follow Jewish custom, Shabbat is the basic building block of Jewish time. Heschel continued: “The meaning of the Sabbath is to celebrate time rather than space. On the Sabbath we try to become attuned to holiness in time…to turn from the results of creation to the mystery of creation; from the world of creation to the creation of the world.”

Just what is it that Shabbat provides us? “To maintain a powerful pulse in our lives, we must learn how to rhythmically spend and renew energy.” So wrote Jim Loehr and Tony Schwartz in their compelling book The Power of Full Engagement. To this Jewish reader, it sounds very much like another positive plug for Shabbat. Loehr and Schwartz continue: “Healthy patterns of activity and rest lie at the heart of our capacity for full engagement, maximum performance and sustained health.” Loehr and Schwartz call their concept “periodic disengagement”; deeply exploring and explaining the need for real and regular refreshment and renewal, they seem to be arguing on behalf of Shabbat, our building block of Jewish life and time (for more on this book, see http://hpinstitute.com/book_PFE.html)

I encourage you to “do Shabbat” – by making the effort to establish a tradition for you and your family. This doesn’t have to be anything monumental or difficult – spend some extra time together; take a break for the hectic tasks of home, work and school; enjoy a meal with family and friends – say a blessing, sing songs, foster a sense of community. Take pleasure in “being” rather than “creating”. Let this time be one of inspiration and renewal, done in small steps, one by one, week by week. And together, we will continue to find meaning in our lives, and bring blessings to our world.

How do you do Shabbat? Share your ideas an others might do Shabbat with you.