observing Shabbat
March 20, 2020
I try to observe Shabbat every week. I like the word ‘observe' because it can be passive or active. Some Fridays or Saturdays I simply think to myself, oh, it’s Shabbat and with that acknowledgement I continue my day. Today my roommate, her parents, and I ate a heavy mid afternoon meal of steak, whipped potatoes, spinach and salad. Before we began eating I took a moment to share what has resonated with me about Shabbat.
Shabbat is a moment in the week to connect, be grateful, celebrate a meal out of the many we eat and be reminded to take care of ourselves. Taking care of ourselves can mean engaging with our spiritual life in whatever way is meaningful to us. It can mean self care in the form of a nap, reading a book, cleaning out a closet, taking a walk, or making a much needed date with friends. It can mean taking a moment to be grateful for all the things we take for granted, which I think many of us are doing right now. The fact that we have shelter, food to eat, friends or family to call or (hopefully) people that we like sharing space with. We can be grateful for not being in extreme economic uncertainty. We can be grateful for the technology that allows us to work or connect remotely.
This isn’t really how Shabbat is ’supposed’ to be done. I’m playing fast and loose with it, picking and choosing, reinterpreting as it’s most useful and meaningful to me. But I’m doing something and, in my own way, keeping the tradition alive and sharing it with others. My non-jewish friends have been especially receptive and appreciative. I describe Shabbat as ‘a good idea’ and it is. To rest, connect, be grateful, touch into whatever spiritual believe or practice we have, intentionally enjoy a meal, rest if we need to. These are all good things, things that our everyday lives haven’t necessarily naturally included, but perhaps will now.
No matter what tradition you were raised in or observe, I encourage everyone to take this time to think about what these concepts mean to you and how engaging with them, how having a reminder to every week or even month, can benefit you.