Shabbat
“The meaning of the Sabbath is to celebrate time rather than space. Six days a week we live under the tyranny of things of space; on the Sabbath we try to become attuned to holiness in time. It is a day on which we are called upon to share in what is eternal in time, to turn from the results of creation to the mystery of creation; from the world of creation to the creation of the world.”
Abraham Heschel, I Asked for Wonder, p. 59
Excellent explanation.
The most fascinating thing about the creation is the very first introduction to the creation process:
Gen 1: 3And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. 4And God saw the light, that it was
good: and God divided the light from the darkness. 5And God called the light Day, and the darkness
he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.
This does not refer to the creation of the sun (day 4). This explanation of the purpose of Shabbat reminds me of that purpose of this creation, which was not to focus on it but rather on that mystery or eternal purpose what I call time or everlasting life. And for this reason God most probably first introduced Himself the Eternal Light before commencing. Then to round off His creation God called His creation back to this first introduction into the creation and intent thereof and said remember this and keep it Holy. So Shabbat and the keeping thereof is not only the first eternal commandment but also the reminder that this creation has a purpose and when we miss that purpose we will always be guided by our own convictions.
Thank you for sharing and reminding me that it is not the creation that matters but that very first introduction that brings meaning and purpose to the creation.
“One of the most distinguished words in the Bible is the word kadosh, holy; a word which more than any other is representative of the mystery and majesty of the divine. Now what was the first holy object in the history of the world? Was it a mountain? Was it an altar? It is, indeed, a unique occasion at which the distinguished word kadosh is used for the first time: in the Book of Genesis at the end of the story of creation. How extremely significant is the fact that it is applied to time: “And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy.” There is no reference in the record of creation to any object in space that would be endowed with the quality of holiness.” Heschel – The Sabbath: It’s meaning for Modern Man
I do not know how I managed to live the first 50 years of my life not knowing Sabbath!