Thoughts on Rest for God’s To Do List
The Epstein Family

When Shelby asked us to write this month’s discussion of God’s To Do List chapter, “Rest”, I initially said to myself, “Uh oh, resting is not our forte, even on Shabbat!” But then, I got to thinking that a) we’re not alone in trying to balance a busy secular world and a meaningful Jewish life, and b) our family does rest on Shabbat, although to the untrained eye, it may not seem so.

During the week we, like many other families, race here and there, up route 29 and back several times a day. In truth, we love what we do during the week. Fred and I enjoy our work, Jay and Craig love their schools and their after school activities. Even so, when Friday comes, a collective sigh of relief comes to our family. Ahhh, Shabbat is coming.

Often, our Shabbat rest begins during services on Friday evenings—prayer and music, d’var and oneg, ideas to reflect on, melodies to carry home. From there, Shabbat rest takes many forms:

Shabbat rest is a quiet sunrise walk in Chautauqua, New York. The mist rising off the lake, the gentle lap of the water against the shore, and the distant tinker of cups and utensils in the Atheneum hotel kitchen as they prepared for breakfast allow for reflection, appreciation, and enjoyment of something truly beautiful.

Shabbat rest is sleep. As our children get older, we’re noticing that everybody sleeps in on Saturday mornings. This is the only morning of the week that we are afforded such a luxury. And what a luxury it is!

Shabbat rest is making (and eating) chocolate chip pancakes. Sure, I throw in wheat germ and whole wheat flour (when I think I can get away with it), but what’s most important is the handfuls and handfuls of melted chocolate in every bite.

Shabbat rest is spending time with family. Lighting the candles, saying the motzi, and enjoying Shabbat dinner together truly is something special. I think we all appreciate the time together. On Shabbat, we take long walks with the dogs. Jay and Craig spend much of the day together playing games, building forts in the woods, listening to music.

Shabbat rest comes after “Challah b’shesh!” In Jerusalem last year, we shopped at the Mahane Yehuda at about noon on Friday. It was bustling and incredible! Bakers selling challah for less and less as the afternoon went on. Mounds of nuts and delicious halvah. Fruits, cheeses, fish! The busyness of the market finally yielded to a quiet Shabbat dinner in our hotel room and a lovely, full-tummy Shabbat rest.

The enlightenment of reflection is motivation to learn more. For the next two months, our family will reflect more closely on what it means to rest and perhaps we’ll try a suggestion or two from God’s To Do List. How about you?