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- A 3000-Year-Old Secret for Modern Stress Relief
I have bee seeing the word ‘Tradicalize” trend lately. I think it’s a pejorative way of acknowledging that more and more people are returning to tradition in light of the wacky way of the world.
Sunday service attendance is up almost 20% at the church I belong to in Westlake Village, CA. People are leaving California in droves and heading to places where they believe they will find more traditional values.
I have to say, I have been trending toward tradition for some time now. I had a serious bout of depression a few years back and nearly gave up. I’ll write about this too in some coming articles.
But for now, let me provide you with some of the things I’ve discovered and implemented in my life that helped me escape the dark cloud of depression.
The Greatest Solution for Stress Relief Is 3000 Years Old
3000 years ago, God gave the Jews the tradition of Shabbat. Many have hailed it as the ultimate form of stress relief and time management ever devised.
A man once asked his Rabbi, “what is the penalty for the sin of missing Shabbat?” The Rabbi, thought about and replied, “you missed the Shabbat.”
The concept of the modern workweek, was created in the 19th century, aimed to maximize the output of factory workers. It was an economic decision, not one designed for human well-being.
In contrast, the 40-hour week, popularized by the Ford Motor Company in 1926, sought to boost productivity but did not consider the holistic needs of the individual.
Yet, this is our model today. We wake up and go to bed to work the 8-hour workday. We feel guilty when we don't put in 40 hours. And many of us entrepreneurs double that.
Shabbat was established with profound insight into human nature.
Our ancestors understood that to maintain balance, health, and well-being, individuals needed a day of rest, reflection, and rejuvenation.
Shabbat provides this by offering a pause from daily life, an opportunity to reconnect with family, community, and spirituality, and a time to reflect on the deeper meanings and values that enrich our lives.
Shabbat is once a week. For Jews it's Sundown Friday to Sundown Saturday. For me, it's Sunday morning to Monday morning. Not when it's convenient, or there is no work call, or soccer practice, or vacation, or dinner reservation.
Every week.
I am not Jewish, so I have some flexibility in how I practice Shabbat. Football? Sure, as a family. Or if the Buffalo Bills are in the playoffs. Phones? Only if the call is a family member of friend I'm catching up with or helping with a problem.
Workout, for me yes. Hiking, being outdoors. Reading the Bible, discussing life.
Church. Always.
I modify Shabbat rules slightly, but I am careful not to stray too far from the strict Jewish way of Shabbat.
The basic fundamentals of Shabbat, the Jewish day of rest, include several key practices and principles:
1. Rest from Work: Engaging in any form of labor that is considered work is prohibited. This includes activities like writing, cooking, and using electronic devices.
2. Prayer and Synagogue Attendance: Special prayers are added to the regular prayer services, including the Kabbalat Shabbat on Friday evening to welcome the Sabbath, and additional readings and songs in the synagogue.
3. Three Festive Meals: It's customary to have three meals during Shabbat: Friday night dinner, Saturday lunch, and a third meal in the late afternoon.
4. Lighting of Candles: Candles are lit by the woman of the household before sunset on Friday evening to usher in the Sabbath. This act is accompanied by a blessing.
5. Havdalah: A ceremony called Havdalah marks the end of Shabbat and the beginning of the new week. It involves blessings over wine, spices, and a special candle.
6. Family and Community Time: Shabbat is a time to disconnect from the weekly routine and spend quality time with family, friends, and community members, often sharing meals and engaging in relaxed, meaningful conversations.
7. Spiritual Reflection and Study: Many observe the day by dedicating time to study religious texts, reflect on spiritual matters, and engage in personal and communal religious study.
Further Reading:
If you are curious, the detailed rules regarding the observance of Shabbat are extensively delineated in the Talmud, specifically in the tractate called Shabbat, which is part of the larger collection known as the Mishnah and Gemara.
In the Christian Bible:
Genesis 2:1-3 - Describes God's rest on the seventh day after the creation of the world, setting the precedent for Shabbat.
Exodus 20:8-11 - As part of the Ten Commandments, it commands to remember and keep the Sabbath day holy, outlining the basic premise of rest and sanctity.
Exodus 31:12-17 - Emphasizes the importance of observing the Sabbath as a sign of the covenant between God and the Israelites, detailing the consequences of desecration and the blessings of observance.
Deuteronomy 5:12-15 - Reiterates the commandment to observe the Sabbath, reminding the Israelites to remember their slavery in Egypt and to appreciate their freedom through the observance of Shabbat.
The benefits of such a practice are timeless, encompassing mental, physical, and social well-being.
It's a day to unwind, contemplate, and enjoy the serene pleasure of life's simplicities, which modern society often overlooks in its relentless pursuit of productivity and efficiency.
In the world of tech, social media and AI, we often look for sophisticated solutions to enhance our quality of life. Yet, it's our age-old traditions, like Shabbat, that have already solved the problem of living well.
These practices remind us that sometimes, looking back and embracing our heritage is the key to finding peace and balance in our lives.
Our ancestors might not have had all the technological advancements we possess today, but they had a profound understanding of the human soul's needs.
I will continue to bring you more ways to Tradicalize.
Mike P