Yesterday (on the Sabbath), I read a wonderful book entitled The Sabbath, by Abraham Joshua Heschel. Heschel is almost poetic in his writing, yet makes a strong point regarding his viewpoint of the Sabbath.

The Sabbath is 101 pages long, plus there are a few pages of prologue and notes, and it is an extremely compelling 101 pages. Heschel shows us how the Sabbath is an aspect of “sacred time”, and not “sacred space”. He demonstrates within the history of the Sabbath, how Jews have built a foundation of “sacred days”, and how time is sanctified through the Sabbath. Time is an extremely important element in Judaism, from seasons to agriculture, to holidays and rituals, time is the force behind everything, from sunrise to sunset, days to weeks, weeks to months months to the year.

Jews have traditionally used time to denote everything essential. The Sabbath is the seventh day of creation, and is no different in the time continuum, as far as being a part of it. It is the “day of rest”, but so much more than that. There is a physical essence to time, much like physicality in space. Heschel demonstrates that physical essence to the Sabbath quite masterfully. His perspective shows how we must not only rest and refrain, on the Sabbath, but also step inside “the palace in time”, in order to understand all the rules and restrictions regarding the Sabbath. We must retreat into the architecture of the seventh day, and allow the Sabbath to spiritually fulfill us.

According to Heschel’s, perspective, “sacred space” is all matter and materialism, and includes matter such as physical architectural structures, transportation, mountains, rivers, the things we view and lay our hands on in our daily lives. “Sacred time” is so much more than that, and although we might not be able to physically see it, it surrounds us eternally. This is what the seventh day of creation is all about. A day that was created specifically by G-d in order for us to have spiritual illumination within a sanctified “palace”. It is not only a day in which we stop working and rest, but a day created for moving inward to a place of peace, where we are cognizant and realize that our very being is eternal within time.

“We cannot solve the problem of time through the conquest of space, through either pyramids or fame. We can only solve the problem of time through sanctification of time. To men alone time is elusive; to men with God time is eternity in disguise.”

I found The Sabbath to be a profound book, a compelling book, and one that offers so much to ponder within its short length. Heschel offers the reader a unique and extremely strong perspective that they can cling to, and one that can bring them spiritual fulfillment. The Sabbath is an extraordinary book, a beautiful and spiritual book, a book that is lyrical, poetic, and a book in which Abraham Joshua Heschel leads the reader towards a spiritual wholeness. His vivid descriptions are a metaphor for “sacred time”, and how it is incorporated within “the palace of time”. The Sabbath is a masterpiece, written by a masterful author. It has brought new meaning to my idea of what the Sabbath is, what it entails, and has enhanced my spiritual cognizance of what defines the Sabbath. I highly recommend it to everyone, whether they are Jewish or not.
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Sunday April 5, 2009 – 11th of Nisan, 5769