I am reading a classic book during my devotional time these days, called The Sabbath by Abraham Joshua Heschel. Heschel, who lived from 1907-1972,"was one of the most widely respected and loved religious leaders of the twentieth century. He was a Professor of Ethics and Mysticism at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America," according to the back cover of this little book, originally published in 1951.
I am captivated by the Jewish love of Sabbath and the rich, deep perspective Sabbath-keeping brings to the rest of life.
Allow me to share a few quotes:
"The meaning of the Sabbath is to celebrate time rather than space. Six days a week we live under the tyranny of things of space; on the Sabbath we try to become attuned to holiness in time. It is a day on which we are called upon to share in what is eternal 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.
"The Sabbath is a day for the sake of life.
"Labor is a craft, but perfect rest is an art. It is the result of an accord of body, mind and imagination. The seventh day is a palace in time which we build. It is made of soul, of joy and reticence.
"There is a word that is seldom said, a word for an emotion almost too deep to be expressed: the love of the Sabbath.
"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: we abstain primarily from any activity that aims at remaking or reshaping the things of space.
"The Sabbath itself is a sanctuary which we build, a sanctuary in time.
"The Sabbath must all be spent 'in charm, grace, peace, and great love...for on it even the wicked in hell find peace.' It is therefore, a double sin to show anger on the Sabbath. 'Ye shall kindle no fire throughout your habitations on the Sabbath day' (Exodus 35:3), is interpreted to mean: 'Ye shall kindle no fire of controversy nor the heat of anger.' Ye shall kindle no fire--not even the fire of righteous indignation.
"All week we may ponder and worry whether we are rich or poor, whether we succeed or fail in our occupations; whether we accomplish or fall short of reaching our goals. But who could feel distressed when gazing at spectral glimpses of eternity, except to feel startled at the vanity of being so distressed?
"The Sabbath is no time for personal anxiety or care, for any activity that might dampen the spirit of joy. The Sabbath is no time to remember sins, to confess, to repent or even to pray for relief of anything we might need. It is a day for praise, not a day for petitions. Fasting, mourning, demonstrations of grief are forbidden. The period of mourning is interrupted by the Sabbath. And if one visits the sick on the Sabbath, one should say: 'It is the Sabbath, one must not complain; you will soon be cured.' One must abstain from toil and strain on the seventh day, even from strain in the service of God.
"It is a sin to be sad on the Sabbath day.
"For the Sabbath is a day of harmony and peace, peace between man and man, peace within man, and peace with all things. On the seventh day man has no right to tamper with God's world, to change the state of physical things. It is a day of rest for man and animal alike.
"Six days shalt thou labor and do all thy work (Exodus 20:8). Is it possible for a human being to do all his work in six days? Does not our work always remain incomplete? What the verse means to convey is: Rest on the Sabbath as if all your work were done. Another interpretation: Rest even from the thought of labor."
"A pious man once took a stroll in his vineyard on the Sabbath. He saw a breach in the fence, and then determined to mend it when the Sabbath would be over At the expiration of the Sabbath he decided: since the thought of repairing the fence occurred to me on the Sabbath I shall never repair it."
(Excerpts from The Sabbath by Abraham Joshua Heschel, copyright 1951, Farra, Straus and Girous, New York, New York, pp. 10-41)
--Posted by Mama O.
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