> Floating Takes Faith
Excerpt: Floating Takes Faith

In a discussion of Shabbat, Adin Steinsaltz writes that we must do no work on the Sabbath—not even work on our souls. Yet we know that our souls are supposed to be elevated on Shabbat, that we should reach higher on Shabbat than we do during the week. How can that be if for the entire day we do not strive spiritually?

I remember when I was learning to swim. The hardest part was floating. Swimming is about propulsion: One must kick, stroke, move. But floating asks us to be still, to trust in the buoyancy of the water. Swimming is work; floating takes faith.

In the ocean it is sometimes necessary to swim, but the swimmer goes beneath the wave while the floater rides its crest. Similarly, the one who works on himself or herself all week should aim to float on Shabbat. Floating will carry you higher than the often strenuous effort of the week.

On Shabbat we are to consider the week's tasks complete: Shabbat asks us to trust the wave of God's world.
This Shabbat, do not work on the world or on yourself. Save that for the other six days, and when Shabbat comes, float.


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