B”H
I am not fascinated with the lives of the royals. Not anymore. As a child and teen, however, I vicariously followed their weddings, babies and scandals captured by the paparazzis. Back then, it wasn’t just the British royals we followed. It was the Spanish ones, too, and their marriages with their royal cousins from Denmark and the Netherlands.
While I have no interest in exploring the royals’ lives, today, I do inquire about the lives of my podcast guests: Jewish women. Not because I’m into gossip, but rather because I’m extracting life lessons for my listeners (and myself, frankly). Among other things, I often ask them what is their favorite mitzvah. Not surprisingly, one of the top contenders is Shabbat.
Recently, someone reverted the question back at me, and I immediately said,
“My favorite mitzvah? Shabbat! Anything and everything around Shabbat – candle lighting, the meals, the guests, the rest, the quiet and the, sometimes, not so quiet. Shabbat – how did I ever live without it?”
Soon after that incident, I asked my 13-year-old son, “What is your favorite mitzvah?” and without skipping a beat, he said, “Shabbat!” Surprised, I asked, “Really?” He said, “Yah, for sure!”
“What about Shabbat?” I pushed, curious to see Shabbat from a child’s perspective. He said, “Ma, what do you mean? Everything!”
Then, I went to my 11-year-old daughter with the same question. She also answered, “Shabbat.” “But, what about Shabbat?” With a confused look, she said, “Everything.” I walked away quite in awe of my children.
When I was their age, I had no appreciation for the “Sabbath Queen,” as our sages characterize the day. But, I do remember the first time my curiosity was piqued. I was 18 years old, studying at The Hebrew University in Jerusalem. One day, we had a guest speaker in class. She was elegant, eloquent, regal. She was a Holocaust survivor. I can’t tell you what she said about her experience. Whether intentional or not, she didn’t teach me about the Holocaust. She taught me about Shabbat.
The only thing that I remember from her visit is what she called a “grand celebration.” She described how she’s so blessed to have a grand celebration to attend every week. She gets together with her family, and they’re all dressed in their finest. And, they celebrate life! She described the beautifully set table, the food, the flowers, the wine, the conversation – a grand party. Every. single week. Shabbat.
I thought to myself: “Where do I sign up!?”
It took a number of years before I got with the program, but I eventually started observing Shabbat. What I thought would be a gradual transition actually happened overnight. After the first Shabbat that I spent at a friend’s house, where the family observed all of Shabbat, I never went back to my pre-Shabbat days. It’s been many years since, and I can say that Shabbat observance has been one of the best decisions of my life. It’s hard to put into words the extent of the love I have for this special day. Again, how could I have ever lived without it?
This may be more tainted by the hours fantasizing about the royals as a kid, than by our sages’ characterization of Shabbat as Malka, Queen. But, allow me to introduce this idea: luxury.
I don’t just mean the china, the food, the wine, the flowers. But, I also mean taking a break from the grind of the week. Saying “No” to the demands of your boss or clients:
“No. Sorry, can’t do it. Got a celebration to go to. I’ll be reading my child a book, and then taking a walk with my husband, and hey, I might even take a nap …”
Who can do that, exactly? Who has such luxury? The royals? Maybe. I guess that’s what we are, royalty. Because we do it! Judaism affords us the luxury of living like royalty, at least once a week!
I don’t know about you, but that’s something I can get on board with! They don’t call me the Jewish Latin Princess for nothing!
This piece first appeared on The Jewish Herald Voice, Aug. 15, 2019
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