No one quite expected the President of the United States to call upon Jews to observe Shabbos. But he did! In his proclamation in honor of Jewish American Heritage Month, President Trump wrote:
In special honor of 250 glorious years of American independence and on the weekend of Rededicate 250 — a national jubilee of prayer, praise, and thanksgiving — Jewish Americans are encouraged to observe a national Sabbath. From sundown on May 15 to nightfall on May 16, friends, families, and communities of all backgrounds may come together in gratitude for our great Nation. This day will recognize the sacred Jewish tradition of setting aside time for rest, reflection, and gratitude to the Almighty… I further call on all Americans to celebrate their faith and freedom throughout this year, during this month, and especially on Shabbat to celebrate our 250th year.
Thirteen years ago, South Africa’s Chief Rabbi Warren Goldstein launched a “Shabbos Project” for all Jews in South Africa to come together on one particular Shabbos, even if it was not their weekly practice. The result was so successful that he took the project global a year later.
Just last week, I was privileged to join Rabbi Efy and Penina Flamm for a Friday night meal along with several dozen of his students, from his classes and programs at Towson University. [Full disclosure: their son and my daughter are to be married next month.] The energy and enthusiasm in the room made it immediately obvious why students keep returning, week after week.
There is a unique energy to Shabbos that those who observe it weekly almost take for granted. But it is so profound that even those who do not regard it as a religious obligation see it as a treat. Notably, the late Charlie Kirk took on a form of Sabbath observance.
We really should not be surprised. Our Sages teach (Shabbos 10b) that Hashem said to Moshe: “I have a precious gift in my treasury—and its name is Shabbos. I wish to give it to Israel; go and tell them.” Shabbos isn’t a burden or a limitation, but a treasure!
Because of the President’s Proclamation, numerous programs have popped up for Shabbos programs, and it’s not too late to find one in your area. You should give it a try—even the President says you should!
Photo Credit: Gage Skidmore on Wikimedia Commons with CC BY-SA 2.0 license.
