Rabbi Shapiro's October 2008 Bulletin Message

For Your Consideration
Rabbi Mark Dov Shapiro

You’re on an airplane - probably squeezed into a narrow seat…the engines roaring in your ears. But truth to tell, it’s not that bothersome. Some people are sleeping; some are talking with the passenger beside them. Other people are reading. It’s almost peaceful.

And then the plane lands.

Within seconds, people pull out their phones, BlackBerries, and all manner of electronic devices. The moment the plane comes to a stop you hear the machines coming to life. 10…20…30 people hook up to the outside world almost frantically beginning to talk, make an appointment or do business.

I’m picturing this scene because I’ve been thinking a lot about the frenzy that characterizes our lives. We are connected to our world and our schedules these days with barely any room for ourselves. That is why I am very interested in exploring Judaism’s oldest antidote to exhaustion. It’s called Shabbat.

On Yom Kippur, I hope you will join me in thinking creatively about the way we live our lives. At that time, I am going to introduce a theme for our community entitled – Take Back Your Time: Rediscover Shabbat. I guarantee this will not be the “usual” message from the bimah. I’ve actually worked with several groups of Sinai congregants over the summer to develop new ideas about our use of time. At the suggestion of these congregants, we are even including a copy of my Yom Kippur sermon from last year that dealt with Shabbat. We invite you to read that 2007 sermon in preparation for my 2008 sermon.

When the plane touches down at Sinai on Yom Kippur, let’s revisit Shabbat and our busy lives. I believe we have some important work to do. It’s time for us to “take back our time and rediscover Shabbat.”

Prior Bulletin Messages from the Rabbi are available on this site.