It is truly amazing that we have a day every week set aside from the others for rest and rejuvenation. I am talking about the sabbath, of course. The English word “sabbath” descends from the Hebrew word “shabbat.” We Americans know the word as a noun (the seventh day of the week) but it started as a verb meaning “to rest” or, in this translation, “to cease from work.” You will recognize this from Genesis 2:3.
The sabbath has been different things to me at various stages of my life.
Up through my 20s, it was a day to play hard, an escape from school and work.
In my 30s, it became a day when I could focus more on my children, though that often included doing chores and errands to support the home in which their mom and I were raising them.
By the time I reached my 40s, shabbat had become a day that our family formally recognized as a special time. We always had a nice sit-down dinner together. I made a rule, when the boys were little, that there could be no fighting or arguing on the sabbath. It did not eliminate the disagreements but we got smiles out of the notion that Dad could decree amity. It made us all conscious of the day.
By my 50s, the sabbath had morphed into a day when Candy and I could unplug. With the kids out of the house, we could choose to shift chores and errands to other days of the week.
Now that I am in my 60s and retired, the sabbath has become a significant marker in my week. Surprisingly, it helps anchor time for me, reminding me where I am in the cycle of each week.
Do take a little detour and read the etymology of “sabbath” at the Online Etymology Dictionary.
Art:
I’m enjoying all of these observations very much…. “Good “ is around and within us constantly; like mailboxes (remember those things) we tend not to notice it unless there is some deliberate intent to the action.
Your takes on these everyday aspects of life are a reminder to actively seek the good in the people and the world around us, and in the events we usually consider to be “ordinary”.
In fact, when we think about it, the ordinary is always extraordinary, because it confirms the fact that we are alive and able to perceive existence in all its variations and wonders.
I love that: “it confirms the fact that we are alive and able to perceive existence in all its variations and wonders.”
Thanks, Dave
I have been a petrol head for most of my life, even before I could drive, so part of my Shabbat after morning worship, and lunch around noon, is relaxing with a Coffee in front of the Box, and watching the Motorsports show from around the world.
That is of course, unless the decision is to go out for a walk along the beach or up the hills behind our house where the views are great, and the sunsets are spectacular !!
Those sound like absolutely perfect ways to spend a shabbat!