For Your Consideration - Rabbi Mark Dov Shapiro

        The Church may be taking the lead. Or perhaps it’s just that the Church has finally caught up with us!

        I’m referring to the several announcements I’ve received from interfaith sources announcing a major project for our Christian friends. They’re calling it “Take Back Your Time,” and they’ve designated Sunday, October 24 as “Take Back Your Time Day.”

        Here are some excerpts from one church brochure, “God took seven days to create a perfect balance, including time for rest. But our society is out of balance. Americans work an average of nine full weeks more per year than do European workers. So now we propose that it’s time to take back your time. Commit a consistent time every week for simple, restorative activities. No scheduled activities, no buying or selling, no intrusive technology. Reclaim time. Rest body and mind. Recreate balance.”

        If it sounds good, it should. If it sounds revolutionary, it shouldn’t.

        What they’re talking about is what we Jews have been calling Shabbat for over 30 centuries. It’s just that we, like our Christian friends, seem to have lost the time to make the time. And my suspicion is that we haven’t gained all that much with the time we’ve given over to work or errands. We’re just more tired.

        Hence, my suggestion. Let’s use our interfaith friends’ wisdom. Every seven days it’s there for each of us: Shabbat. Recreate balance. Renew yourself. Take Back Your Time.