"I am sure G-d understands and forgives you."
Hmm...good to know but I wasn't quite looking for G-d's understanding here. Or forgiveness for that matter. But I do appreciate the concern.
Sorry. Getting ahead of myself again.
Let me back up.
We are leaving early this morning for Roanoke. Zahava, our youngest daughter is graduating from college. A pretty wonderful accomplishment and, perhaps, the most important of what we hope will be many milestones in her life.
Want to take a wild guess when her graduation is scheduled?
You're good.
Yep. Shabbat.
Background. I am a Jewish Sabbath observer. I do not for example drive, watch television, or work on the Shabbat and practice the day as many traditional Jews do. There are different ways Jews celebrate Shabbat in our faith but I choose to keep it holy as observed by those in Traditional Judaism. I have also never regretted the decision I made in 1978 to begin to celebrate Shabbat this way. Never regretted it once. Oh, I have missed more than my fair share of critical New York Mets playoff games on Friday night and Saturday (and G-d knows they don't come around too often). I missed my one best shot at meeting my idol Stan Lee a few years ago when he was appearing, of course, on a Saturday (To quote Stan The Man: 'Nuff Said). Oh, and looking back I still remember that early Spiderman book I was bidding on but the auction ended late Friday night. Of course, I was outbid. Never did find a copy in that condition for such a price again.
What kind of a comic book fanboy am I?
Hey, sorry. I love my Shabbat.
Shabbat is not just an "obligation" to me. It is a gift. An amazing and remarkable gift. For the restless spirit, Shabbat refreshes the soul. For the person who has everything, Shabbat gives one meaningful time to pause, remember the blessings one has, and contemplate on what those treasures mean in one's life. For the weary travelers on the road known as human existence, Shabbat is a powerful weekly reminder that G-d walks with us and we need never journey this world alone. The gift of Shabbat comes every Friday night at sunset and I cherish and rejoice in its spiritual glow until Saturday night at sundown, when the divine gift of Shabbat is reluctantly packed away for next week.
More so this year than for past graduations, I found it fascinating to hear folks offering me the Jewish equivalent of absolution:
"G-d will forgive you if you attend Zahava's graduation".
Thanks, but I was going anyway.
And with surprisingly little angst or gulit.
Not looking for G-d's understanding either. In fact, as in past years, we will still try as a family to enjoy Shabbat as best as possible but tomorrow I am opening up another of G-d's gifts.
The gift of seeing a child we have raised reach a special moment in her life . With complete and utter joy, I am going to unwrap that gift tomorrow.
On this, I guess I hold a very unorthodox view. I have never been a person who kept the Shabbat laws out of a fear of punishment or observed for future reward. I have always kept Shabbat out of a yearning for G-d and a joy for the way it is traditionally practiced. I long for the Shabbat each week to draw closer to the L-rd because it awakens a beauty I cannot adequately describe in my life. The Sabbath is not a laundry list of "Thou Shalt Nots" and it is not just a day of restricting travel, avoiding certain activities and operating under difficult guidelines. Ask anyone who traditionally observes it and they will tell you that Shabbat is the joy of breaking the cycle of mundane human behavior, creating a unique time of rest and glorious contemplation. It is a time to slow down and embrace the peace that only a weekly spiritual "oasis in time" can create in one's life.
It is a divine gift.
And so is tomorrow's moment with Zahava.
You might say tomorrow is an embarrassment of riches for me.
I would love to open both gifts tomorrow but it won't be easy. Admittedly, one gift has priority for me and for it to be enjoyed, the other will remain largely unopened.
G-d will understand? G-d will forgive?
Interesting way of looking at my "dilemma". I see it more as a celebration of the treasures I have and how blessed I am by G-d. For the gift of rest and gift of parenthood. Tomorrow, my prayer will be more along the lines of:
"Thank you, dear G-d, for all You have given me. I celebrate Your many gifts today, both opened and unopened. Praised be Your name and blessed is Your kindness."
