Good Shabbos!

I haven’t observed Shabbat for a long time. Out of the habit and something I never really did with intention. But it’s kind of amazing, especially when you do it as a family or in a community. On one side there’s the relief of downshifting and leaving work and the modern world aside. On the other there’s a positive joyous engagement in family meals, walks, prayer, recreational reading. One makes room for the other.

I know a few folks who observe a secular Sabbath, unplugging, no screens (aside from books), no phones, no cars. Offline. They add in board games, exercise, and one of them gets all foodie cooking up a storm.

Leonard Nimoy used to go further, not speaking on Saturdays. Relaxed his voice but also helped him listen and limited the conversations he’d engage in.

In San Francisco there used to be a Buddhist temple next to a Modern Orthodox synagogue. They did a bit of crossover. Jewish meditation. and Zen Shabbat services. Tried the prayer-as-meditation and it’s appealing to me. Never tried the Zen Shabbat.

So that’s me.

P.S. I should caution that newbies often have strong reactions to unplugging for Shabbos. Some are withdrawal symptoms. Like: your hands automatically reach for your phone 150 times a day (300 if you’re a teenager); and that reflex doesn’t automatically turn off. So moments of extreme frustration, sometimes anger, at the interruption. Same with a dozen other habits. Also moments of disquiet as the time/attention that went to connected life leaves a vacuum and you’re still getting used to filling it with new things.