This essay is inspired by a D'var Torah Rabbi Andrea London gave several weeks ago. Her D'var enabled me to rethink what Shabbat should mean to me.

Earth turns.

Day yields to night.

We turn inward.

On Shabbat,

busy outward tasks

yield to higher purposes.

NOT HOW! BUT WHY!

Beyond doing,

daring to commit to The Primal Force.

Relax your body;

use your brain to connect.

Away from computers, the Internet.

Using the Torah.

ARTHUR ALTMAN is a retired dermatologist living in Evanston. He is busy writing poems and short stories for his creative writing workshop at OLLI.

Each Friday during 5775, we are featuring writings from you, our congregants, sharing reflections on Shabbat. We hope you will be inspired to share your reflections with the community. If you are interested in contributing to this project, please contact Stacey Zisook Robinson.

This Shabbat at Beth Emet

Friday, April 17
6:30 p.m. (5:45 p.m. Reception)

Kabbalat Shabbat in the Sanctuary including a D'var Torah by Rabbi Andrea London.

Saturday, April 18
9:00 a.m. Tot Shabbat in the Weiner Room

9:30 a.m. Alex Feldman Bar Mitzvah with Kahal in the Sancturay

9:30 a.m. Shabbat Minyan in Room 208

10:30 a.m. Special Needs Family Shabbat Service in the Weiner Room

Visit us online at

www.bethemet.org