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The Sabbath (Abraham Heschel) Notes

Note: These notes are not complete yet.

Introduction

Daughter's experience of Sabbath:

Writing is forbidden on the Sabbath.
Sabbath was Nostalgic experience, at least partly.
(Traditional) Sabbath Service - All in Hebrew - Men and Women divided.
Informal Lunch - joking, lighthearted
Weekly nap

Siddur - Jewish prayer book
Havdalah - prayer that concludes the Sabbath
Book "The Sabbath" originally published in 1951. Abraham Heschel couldn't speak English that well. This was at a time when Jewishness was embarrassing and Jews were assimilating.
According to Abraham, the Sabbath is a means of keeping civilization and inner liberty from the material world.
Holiness of Sabbath preceeded the holiness of Israel.
Sabbath renews the Soul.
Avoid work: No lighting fires, politics, war-talk, Holocaust-talk, etc. A time to rest the body *and soul*. Considered a Sin ("Missing the Mark") to be sad on Sabbath.
"Kiss of God" - dying in your sleep.
Dying on Sabbath is a gift, "merited by piety".

Prologue

Judaism is a religion of Time rather than Space.
Time appears as if it wasn't real because it is thingless and insubstantial.
We typically make time "subservient to space".
"The Bible is more concerned with time than with space." - Dimensions of time: generations, events, narrative
Judaism aims at the "sanctification of time". A holiness in time.
The first time the word "holy" (Heb. Gadosh) is used in Genesis was for the Sabbath day: "And God blessed the Seventh day and made it holy" (Genesis 2:3).
The Jewish Calendar is based on the life of Nature - Space. The Sabbath and the 7-day week is independent of Nature/Space.

1. Sabbath - Sanctity of Time (by God) - first, takes priority

2. At Sinai - Sanctity of Humankind

3. Tabernacle - Sanctity of Space (by Moses) - last

Part 1, Chapter 1: A Palace in Time

The Sabbath day is for the sake of life, not for enhancing efficiency of work. Weekdays (work) is for the sake of the Sabbath.
God rested, blassed, and hallowed the Seventh day.
Sabbath made of soul, joy, and reticence. A "palace in time"
"The likeness of God can be found in time, which is eternity in disguise"
"The love of the Sabbath is the love of man for what he and God have in common"
The Sabbath is "an opportunity to mend our tattered lives, to collect rather than to dissipate time."
Sabbath is a day for both Soul and Body - Comfort and Pleasure.
Menuha - Final creation by God on 7th day; "rest", withdrawal from work and exertion, freedom from toil, strain, or activity of any kind - politive - happiness, stillness, peace, harmony. In later times, became a synonym for life in the world to come, eternal life.

Part 1, Chapter 2: Beyond Civilization

The Sabbath is not a depreciation but an affirmation of labor. We are commanded to keep the Sabbath *and* to labor on other days.
Double Sin to show anger on Sabbath - Interpretation of Exodus 35:3 ("Kindle no fire")
Sabbath isn't for personal anxiety or care, or any activity that might dampen the Spirit of Joy. It isn't a time to remember sins or repent or confess or even to pray for relief or anything we might need.
Sabbath is for praise, not a day for petitions.
Forbidden: Fasting, Mourning, Demonstrations of grief, being sad
Must rest even from the *thought* of labor.