Why is it important for Jewish people to observe shabbat?
Answer Dear Peter, An Orthodox rabbi would answer your question by reminding you that it is a commandment to observe Shabbat and is, therefore, non-negotiable. Beyond that, I must tell you that if Shabbat had not been given to us as a gift, someone would have to invent it for me. Shabbat nurtures me. I used to say that any Jew who doesn’t welcome Shabbat must not be working hard enough on the other six days of the week to appreciate it. All things in nature need time of to restm renew and regenerate themselves. Plants go dormant. Some animals hibernate. All animals sleep when they are tired. They don’t deprive themselves of what their bodies are telling themselves they need. If we don’t take time out for a change of pace we become less creative, less productive and much less healthy, both physically and emotionally. A traditional Shabbat combines worship, rest, visiting with family and/or friends and Torah study. Torah nurtures us. There are important lessons, stories that ground us in
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