The Sabbath World: Glimpses of a Different Order of Time

As an Episcopalian studying Biblical Hebrew I have come to love the Quiet Spiritual mood of a Friday Evening Jewish Shabbat. We call it“Shalom in Our Home”. It is a Sacred Cathedral in time.Ms. Shulevitz gives us not just the Spiritual side of the Sabbath but her practical, personal side of her own Jewish Sabbath journey. The author also engages the History of the Christian Sabbath-and the tensions between those for and against.The book is so impeccably researched it could serve as an academic resource though to the benefit of everyone her writing style is very approachable and always engaging.Thank you to the author -as book also serves as a contribution to Jewish-Christian Dialogue.

This was a difficult book to read; but the data woven in-between the author's personal narrative was valuable. In years past I lived many months in New Zealand and experienced Sundays where businesses did close down, and people did slow down after a hectic week consisting of six days of hard work and worries.In today's world we are endlessly wired 7x24s without any time to ourselves, and never disconnected from external demands on our attention, energy and commitment. For a lot of people the protection of a Sabbath day looks compelling: A day to pray, be with family, reflect and dream.The biblical traditions of Sabbath may hold a bit of wisdom that could save many of us from wearing down. Perhapsit is a wise decision to turn off all electronics on Sundays, or perhaps for the whole weekend.Yes, it is a hard book to read, but is is a worthwhile subject to re-examine, as the bible and history both suggest.

This book was recommended to me but the commentaries led me to think it would be dry and historical. On the contrary, the author skillfully opened my awareness to Sabbath roots and the rich gift Sabbath offers us today. Much needed in our fast-paced society! Down to earth. Highly recommended for anyone seeking a meaningful life.

I am not Jewish; I'm LDS (Mormon). Sabbath worship is part of our tradition, too, but not in any developed form, and I wanted an engaging work that would help me think about this topic in new ways. "The Sabbath World" did exactly that. Shulevitz does an excellent job combining Jewish (and Christian) theology, memoir, philosophy, and religious history in a fascinating book that helps show where our ideas of the Sabbath come from (for both Jews and Christians) and what role it might play in a modern society. She has a sharp mind and clear prose, but most of all, the book demonstrates the type of careful thinking that comes from living and reflecting on one's faith. Highly recommended.

I feel like she lost her point of the book at some parts, but it was good. The author is Jewish and i feel she is a bit bias towards christians, but whatever. i almost feel she also has a lot of negatives towards sabbath rituals and even superior religous people like priests and rabbis. aside from that, its a very healthy book to read if your wanted a glimpse into the sabbath world.

I heard Judith Shulevitz interviewed on Public Radio and was struck by a fresh definition of the Sabbath. I may not have her exact words, but what I remember is that she described the Sabbath as a time to refrain from trying to control the course of our lives, but rather let time happen to us. So I read the book and was blessed. I am an ordained Episcopal Priest, and learned a lot about my own religion as well as Judaism. Author Shulevitz offers a loving and educated presence through the book. I am thinking about organizing some groups to share this book.

This book does not give any valuable insights into how to keep the Sabbath day holy. It is a purely intellectual exercise. Only through a spiritual approach can anyone appreciate the true meaning of the Sabbath and why it is a holy day--not a holiday. I was extremely disappointed in this book. I would not recommend this book to anyone who is sincerely interested in keeping the Sabbath the way God intended. I definitely not recommend it for any religious book group. There are better books elsewhere like Keeping the Sabbath Wholly.

If you wanted mostly theology or philosophy, you'll be disappointed. If you wanted a decisive conclusion, you'll be disappointed. On the other hand, the historical information was very good. And I was glad a liberal Jewish author didn't take cheap shots on Christians, but was qenerally quite positive and realistic. I learned a lot about Jewish and Christian shabbat practices- which was one reason for buying the book. What I expected from the author- and didn't get- was a stronger ending that answered the question "where do I go from here?" I sympathized with her struggles with shabbat, I do to,as a Christian Sunday keeper, that is. I know more, but I still don't have a lot of direction for truly honoring and keeping shabbat. Don't think I didn't like the book. I do. I could overlook the author's definite liberal slant both theologically and politically. All in all, well said and long overdue. But again, where do go from here?

A meditation on the Sabbath and on our times by a thoughtful and skilled writer who struggles with the ambiguous nature of our technologically driven lives.