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He must say farewell to manual work and learn to understand that the world has already been created and will survive without the help of man. Six days a week we wrestle with the world, wringing profit from the earth; on the Sabbath we especially care for the seed of eternity planted in the soul. The world has our hands, but our soul belongs to someone Else. Six days a week we try to dominate the world, on the seventh day we try to dominate the self.
Heschel
It’s Thursday evening and I’m already looking forward to sunset tomorrow evening. I spent part of my day prepping food for Saturday and doing a few extra tidying chores so tomorrow feels a bit less rushed.
Celebrating Sabbath has been nourishing and settling, pulling our family into a rhythm we’ve not experienced before. Often times one of the kids will say about mid-week, “I can’t wait for Sabbath!” and I regularly find myself with the same thought, the same longing.
The Sabbath is a day for the sake of life.
The Sabbath is not for the sake of the weekdays, the weekdays are for the sake of the Sabbath. It is not an interlude but the climax of living.
Heschel
When I first decided to observe Sabbath, I made a few decisions which helped with boundaries:
- We would not spend money.
- We would spend time in God’s word.
- We would reserve the day for our family, not participating in sports, parties or other activities away from home.
- We would spend the 24 hours without screens.
- We would try our best to be loving and kind, full of grace towards one another, not kindling anger or bitterness.
Here’s what preparing for Sabbath looks like in my house:
Thursday and Friday I prepare food for Friday evening meal and all Saturday meals. These meals are occasionally elaborate, but typically they are easily thrown together and require little from me. Saturday’s breakfast menu may include an egg casserole, granola and fresh fruit, or muffins. Lunch is usually a variety of salads- chicken, egg, tuna, all prepped and ready to serve. I’ll have chopped veggies and dip, crackers and cheese, or a variety of deli meats and bread for sandwiches. The evening meal may be leftovers from Friday evening or an already prepared dish or soup. I try to make a special desert for us to enjoy over the weekend.
Yes, this requires a lot of planning and preparation, but I’ve come to consider it a joy and blessing. I am serving my family and my Father AND allowing myself to rest.
As Friday evening sunset approaches, I give the house a quick pick up, make sure the kitchen and my bedroom are in order, and finish up dinner. I always try to hop in the shower to refresh myself after a rushed day of preparation. Then, as the sun sinks on the horizon, we greet the Sabbath day with the lighting of candles, prayer and song and spend the evening lingering over dinner, visiting with one another, and sometimes playing games.
Honestly, I’m pretty worn out by Friday night and bed calls early.
I love Saturday mornings knowing that I have a day ahead of me that nothing is required but to be still and know the Father. I consciously invite His shalom into our home. In the Bible, the word shalom is most commonly used to refer to a state of affairs- one of well being, tranquility, prosperity, and security, circumstances unblemished by any sort of defect. Shalom is a blessing, a manifestation of divine grace. I also take time to read the Torah portion for the week and discuss it with any of the kids who settle in to bed with me.
Sabbath is a day of quiet, of study, and of thanksgiving. We may wander the neighborhood on a family walk. I sometimes play in the garden. If I feel like resting, I rest.
TRADITIONAL AFTERNOON SABBATH PRAYER
Beauty of grandeur, a crown of victory, a day of rest and holiness… a rest in love and generosity, a true and genuine rest, a rest that leads to peace and serenity, a tranquility and security, a perfect rest with which Thou art pleased.
A friend recently said that, “Sabbath has taught me that where there is a law or commandment there is blessing. I no longer see the law as a burden but as a safe-haven.” I have to agree. A few years ago, when I first began studying the Torah, I felt a bit overwhelmed and discouraged. So many rules. So many things to learn and remember. How would I possibly be able to set aside 24 hours to give to the Father? We are a busy family with many obligations and invitations to juggle. After six days of work we needed the seventh to catch up.
But I was wrong.
The seventh day is the armistice in man’s cruel struggle for existence, a truce in all conflicts, personal and social, peace between man and man, man and nature, peace within a man; a day in which handling money is a desecration, on which man avows his independence of that which is the world’s chief idol.
The seventh day is the exodus from tension, the liberation of man from his own muddiness, the installation of a man as a sovereign in the world of time.
In the tempestuous ocean of time and toil there are islands of stillness where man may enter a harbor and reclaim his dignity. The island is the seventh day, the Sabbath, a day of detachment from things, instruments and practical affairs as well as attachment to the Spirit.
Heschel
The same friend said something that I’ve thought about again and again. “My experience has been that there IS something supernatural about rest on Sabbath. For me, Shabbat comes with a sense of being covered, as though Adonai has stopped the world for His Sabbath-keepers to rest without falling behind.” Which truly is what it feels like to me as well. It’s been my experience over the last year that I am more refreshed, more capable, more disciplined, and more energetic because of my day of rest.
When I began to consider keeping the Sabbath, I realized it would require a huge mind and heart shift, as well as a practical shift in our calendar. Little by little we stopped obligating ourselves to sports or clubs or parties that were held on Saturdays. I stopped offering Saturdays as available for portraits sessions. Did we occasionally feel left out? yes. But the benefits of Sabbath keeping far outweigh the fleeting delight of a game or event.
I realize that Sabbath observance is counter cultural. I know it can incite a number of difficulties and even ridicule or judgement. But I also call to mind the biblical instruction found in Romans 12:2: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Also “The Israelite people shall keep the Sabbath, observing the Sabbath throughout the ages as a covenant for all time: it shall be a sign for all time between Me and the people of Israel” (Exodus 31:16-17). Sabbath keeping is not only beneficial for renewing our mind, body, and spirit, but is a sign of the covenant I’ve made with Adonai, my Creator and Father. What a good and perfect gift is His Sabbath! So when faced with a difficult decision to participate in an event on Sabbath, remembering these scriptures helps me find peace in declining. What I see as God’s will trumps the worldly invitation. The fruits of keeping the Sabbath holy are abundant.
Traditional Sabbath prayer found in Heschel’s book on the Sabbath: “Embrace us with a tent of Thy peace.”
I love this imagery.
Do you observe Sabbath?