A review by dngoldman
The Sabbath World: Glimpses of a Different Order of Time by Judith Shulevitz

challenging hopeful informative reflective medium-paced

4.0


The Sabbath World: Glimpses of a Different Order of Time by Judith Shulevitz is an insightful review of the historical meaning of the Sabbath and its significance today. The author explores the specific customs of the Sabbath observed by Jews and Christians throughout the ages, as well as the social and political forces that shaped those customs.


Shulevitz's unique perspective on the Sabbath informs her analysis and provides valuable insight into the significance of the Sabbath in contemporary society. The result is a fascinating and at times poignant mix of history, psychology, philosophy, and religion. While the book is engaging, it can sometimes feel a little scattershot, making it difficult to see the through-line of the entire book or even a single chapter. Nevertheless, there are a few major themes that stand out.

  1. When we observe the Sabbath, we are doing more than creating a "cathedral in time" as Herschel poetically put it. We are creating time in social space. The Sabbath cannot be observed alone, but must be done in a group with shared values and customs. The Sabbath has introspective elements, but it is not purely an emotional or spiritual activity.
  2. The Sabbath is a philosophical statement that adds meaning to work, while also protecting us from the mechanization of daily life.
  3. Attitudes toward the Sabbath, ranging from rejection to strict enforcement, can be seen through a Marxist lens. They were shaped by what capitalist society needed them to be - strict when the value of work and the workday needed to be emphasized, and relaxed when Ford realized that workers needed time to shop.
  4. Rest is an active part of creation, not simply the absence of work.
  5. There is little physical evidence for the Sabbath outside of the Bible. The Sabbath cannot be compared with similar institutions in the cultures that surrounded the land that became Israel and Judah, as it appears to have been an invention of the inhabitants of those two nations.
  6. Christians initially rejected the Sabbath, but the Luther revolution provided people with direct access to the Bible. The Pilgrims left England for religious freedom, which included the observance of the Sabbath.