For those of us who went to Hebrew school, I’m going to make a bold assumption that we know how to celebrate Shabbat — lighting the candles, kiddush, a great meal, some studying, services, a nap, an opportunity to earn double mitzvah points (married couples only), and of course no work.
Yet our educational process has failed explain its purpose in this modern-day world. Of course, we all recognize that, since it took God only six days to make our planet and all that is needed for human life and he rested on the seventh day, the discussion should end there. But it doesn’t.
The real purpose of Shabbat should have been summarized in our Hebrew schools in one simple word: connect.
We connect with our spirituality, family, friends, good food, inner selves, life lessons, emotional and physical pleasures, history, education, heritage, tradition, God, hope —every seven days.
We also disconnect from all the stress, pressure, lunacy, enemies, competitors, and troubles that populate nearly every moment of the week.
Of course the celebration of Shabbat conjures up some deep questions as to why we do this every seven days. The answer is quite simple, as we learn it took God six days to make the heavens and the earth and on the seventh day he rested — therefore, we do the same.
The kiddush itself allows us to connect with this magnificent accomplishment. But let’s just assume for a moment that all this is not true, which would mean every human being would be working seven days a week. History connects us with this fact and reveals that, only after the Jewish people were told to take one day off a week, workers and the rest of the world went to their powers that be and said if it’s good for the Jews we want it too. Did they teach that to you in Hebrew school?
Data also reveals that those who attend a spiritual service of any type at least once a week could potentially add seven years to their life expectancy.
One might say: I have dinner with my family every night, so what’s so special about Shabbat dinner? That is true. But are you really connecting, or are you looking at your cellphone, knowing there are other household responsibilities that everybody has after dinner? Are you shoveling down leftovers or something made in a hurry? At a Shabbat meal everyone connects over song and conversation, sharing the joy in celebrating Shabbat. Columbia University studies indicate that, when families have such a meal, the children tend to grow up to be more responsible and more successful than those who don’t.
But fear not: An education through the weekly Torah parsha, which is interpreted by a rabbi on Shabbat, connects us all to insights and how to live a more fulfilling, peaceful life. The rabbi uses real-time examples experienced by our historical role models in our texts and all the analysis and interpretation that followed their adventures.
We have all heard of music therapy, a treatment that is becoming more common and that results in a more positive outlook on life. Every Shabbat we connect with the wonderful opportunity to be part of a singing concert when the cantor leads us and everyone joins in with uplifting passion.
When services are completed and spouses display public affection through kissing even without instructions from the clergy, all join together for a marvelous kiddish. They socially connect with others who share the same interest and background and schmooze for an hour or more without having to prepare or pay for a meal or refill of coffee! Studies reveal that, the more one socializes with a close group of friends, the healthier lifestyle they have and the more they increase their life expectancy.
It’s a shame that our educational process does not cover this and strictly focuses on what to do. It is my fervent hope that we now understand and connect with the purpose of Shabbat!
Andy Greenberg is a 25-year Conservative Jewish educator of grades 3-12 and a lecturer for adults of all ages.
