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Shabbat Shalom: A Renewed Encounter With the Sabbath
The late, esteemed Rabbi Peli explores the Sabbath and explains why it is the source of Jewish inspiration Every generation must interpret the Sabbath anew. Now, Professor Pinchas Peli, acclaimed columnist for the Jerusalem Post, and the author of Torah A Renewed Encounter with the Scripture, brings the light of our time to the institution that has kept Israel as much as Israel has kept it. Tell me what your Sabbath is like, Rabbi Peli wrote in the preface, and I will tell you who you are and what kind of person you are. In twenty three concise chapters, this book adds layer upon layer of meaning and interpretation, exploring the Sabbath through the basic sources of Jewish inspiration, and adding depth to our appreciation of this sacred space in time. It is a treasure chest of learning opportunities for adult studies, confirmation classes, and all who wish to increase their knowledge and understanding of Judaisim.
- GenresJudaism
256 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1988
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
June 22, 2008
I loved this book! Reading it--to me--felt like winning the lottery--even though I hadn't bought a ticket....What a welcome, delicious, delightful SURPRISE!!
That's because I discovered (only?) here how/why observing the Sabbath might indeed be the jewel in Judaism's crown. I just didn't know it yet. Only by reading Rabbi Peli's book was I able to recognize--and harvest--this sabbath diamond in the rough.
I converted to (Reform) Judaism as an adult--for several reasons (including my falling in love w/ a Jewess, getting married, and wanting to start a Jewish family w/ her....). There were other things that attracted me to Judaism, however, well beyond my wife-to-be alone.
I loved seders at her family's house, for instance, observing the High Holidays each fall, bar mitzvah rituals, Sukkhot, Purim, etc.
For whatever reason(s), I just hadn't paid equal attention to the potential spiritual significance of the sabbath. Maybe that's because I'm too Americanized? Too much of a Reform Jew? I understand that the Sabbath is an enormous deal to observant (or orthodox) Jews, citizens of Israel, etc.
Not until reading Peli's meditation(s), however, did I understand the possible significance of the sabbath to me. Fortunately (i.e. for my family & me) I do now! Many of the sacred rituals or Jewish practices cited above come only once a year (or even just once a lifetime).
But the sabbath bride comes once a week! She has appeared in my life weekly for more than 20 years now--I just didn't necessarily notice!
A caveat: several of my (temple) book group colleagues expressed frustration etc. that Peli's book made them feel like their own observances of Shabbat might be deficient in some way. I can see how/why some Reform Jews might feel this way. For most of us don't make the Sabbath the virtual CENTERPIECE & HIGHLIGHT of our weeks.
From now on, however, I'm resolving to do a better job of observing, honoring, guarding, protecting, and marking off the sabbath in my own life and home. So THANKS, Rabbi Peli, for showing--and teaching--me about this invaluable gift.
It only counts and works, of course, as long as one consciously receives it. One can't observe shabbat on autopilot. After reading this short, sweet, compelling volume, I doubt I'll continue merely to go through the motions in observing shabbat--or not--again....!
That's because I discovered (only?) here how/why observing the Sabbath might indeed be the jewel in Judaism's crown. I just didn't know it yet. Only by reading Rabbi Peli's book was I able to recognize--and harvest--this sabbath diamond in the rough.
I converted to (Reform) Judaism as an adult--for several reasons (including my falling in love w/ a Jewess, getting married, and wanting to start a Jewish family w/ her....). There were other things that attracted me to Judaism, however, well beyond my wife-to-be alone.
I loved seders at her family's house, for instance, observing the High Holidays each fall, bar mitzvah rituals, Sukkhot, Purim, etc.
For whatever reason(s), I just hadn't paid equal attention to the potential spiritual significance of the sabbath. Maybe that's because I'm too Americanized? Too much of a Reform Jew? I understand that the Sabbath is an enormous deal to observant (or orthodox) Jews, citizens of Israel, etc.
Not until reading Peli's meditation(s), however, did I understand the possible significance of the sabbath to me. Fortunately (i.e. for my family & me) I do now! Many of the sacred rituals or Jewish practices cited above come only once a year (or even just once a lifetime).
But the sabbath bride comes once a week! She has appeared in my life weekly for more than 20 years now--I just didn't necessarily notice!
A caveat: several of my (temple) book group colleagues expressed frustration etc. that Peli's book made them feel like their own observances of Shabbat might be deficient in some way. I can see how/why some Reform Jews might feel this way. For most of us don't make the Sabbath the virtual CENTERPIECE & HIGHLIGHT of our weeks.
From now on, however, I'm resolving to do a better job of observing, honoring, guarding, protecting, and marking off the sabbath in my own life and home. So THANKS, Rabbi Peli, for showing--and teaching--me about this invaluable gift.
It only counts and works, of course, as long as one consciously receives it. One can't observe shabbat on autopilot. After reading this short, sweet, compelling volume, I doubt I'll continue merely to go through the motions in observing shabbat--or not--again....!
February 23, 2015
I wouldn't mind having this one on my permanent shelf as there is so much in it. Some of the early chapters got on my nerves, but the further into the book I got, the more I liked it. It is full of citations, and I would really like to go back and look at the citations and read those as well. It's a great book to read one chapter every Sabbath, and think on it and mull it over.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews