I am sure that in religious Jewish circles, the "correct" answer to the question of favorite day of the week is the holy Shabbat. The Sabbath certainly is a precious day, filled with good food, dedicated time with friends and family, time to read actual paper books, time for communing with oneself and with one's God. But I am not quite at the madraiga to put Shabbat first.
My very favorite day of the week is Friday, yom shishi (the sixth day) in Hebrew. Our Torah seems to skillfully combine the best of all human worlds for me on this day. While it's about preparing for our holiest day of the week, everything I love about being a physical human being is put toward this important task.
I will make a caveat here, for the sake of readers with small children. When I was a full-time mommy, I do not think that Erev Shabbat was my favorite day. It was a day when I had to feed lots of people who all wanted (or hated) different things, and who were intent on making messes faster than I could clean them up. My great goal on Friday was to NOT deserve going to Hell some time during the day for screaming at those of Hashem's precious children in my care. I usually failed. But this post is about Retired me, not Mommy me.
It would be untrue to say that I love cleaning. It's pretty far down on my list of fun activities. But what I do love is making everything mesudar -- organized, in its place, tidy -- for Shabbat. It gives me pleasure to wash all of the dishes and put them away, clearing the counters and tables, making them ready for their next "performance." I love to see the floor clean after a good sweeping and mopping, knowing that by candle-lighting time, it will say to me if not to the world that Ruti has it together.
Cooking for Shabbat is also a fulfilling activity for me. I get to take raw stuff created by God and put it together in new and interesting ways, the height of creative work (even above writing and painting and playing music) for me. And I know that each dish will say "I love you and care about what you like" to someone in my family.
There are special errands and rituals for Friday: my walk to collect the mail and the Torah Tidbits weekly magazine; recycling all of the various detritus of the week; shopping for the last minute items. The exchange of "boker tov" and "boker ohr" and "Shabbat shalom" with everyone I pass simply puts the frame around a lovely and purposeful walk throughout my yishuv.
There is a peace in this day that exists in no other: the peace of creating, while knowing that it is in the service of the day designated as the holiest day of the week.
I give myself and all of us the blessing that we can find the harmony of creativity in the service of something higher. I further bless young friends and family with little ones and demanding jobs that they will enjoy their days -- even the crazy ones! -- for long, healthy years, and that they will remember that there are wonderful things to look forward to, even after the kids have grown up and moved away.
What's your favorite day of the week, and why?
Glossary:
Madraiga: level
Erev Shabbat: Friday, the day leading up to the Sabbath
Boker tov: good morning
Boker ohr: literally "morning light," used as a response to boker tov
Yishuv: community, small town
Here's a note sent to me via email from a friend who is not sure how to comment. It was too inspiring not to share!
ReplyDeleteGreat question! Truth be told, my favorite day varies. In my 60s now, and still working in a field I love, my days are varied and rich. Like my children, each one takes on a quality and expression all its own. I am so very grateful that I am connected to my days and still here to celebrate the potential of each and every one of them!
Shabbat Shalom!
Love, Joani
Rather than say my favorite day, I'll tell you my favorite part of the day--when I say Modeh Ani every morning. For me, that's a precious opportunity to connect to Hashem and thank Him for the gift of life and the promise of a new day. I start each day with love, if even for just a few minutes. It makes me so happy. Hoping your Shabbat was beautiful and your shavua TOV!
ReplyDeleteLove, Shalomis
Thank you for responding, dear Shalomis! I also love the Modah Ani prayer. There are so many things for which to be grateful! Shabbat was indeed lovely. I hope that yours was, too, and that you will have a truly fulfilling week.
DeleteI wouldn't call it my "favorite" but there's something special about Yom Rishon...starting a new week, spiritually rejuvenated from Shabbos and physically rested (usually!). Ready to take on whatever Hashem sends our way. Must admit that I kind of missed that in-between day when we lived in Israel - but I would give it up again in a snap to be back Home. Love and SHAVUA TOV!
ReplyDeleteAh, I love your response, Sharon. Yes, it is very special to start a fresh week after a rejuvenating Shabbat. Looking forward to seeing you back Home, when you can get here!
DeleteSorry to be so conventional, but Shabbos is definitely my favorite. Lovely seudahs with wonderful friends and family. Friday night dinner by candlelight. Morning dovening at 6:30... by a little after eight I'm making kiddush either at shul or at home - herring and crackers (and a l'chaim if there's a kiddush at shul) - my 9 o'clock chavrusa (halacha), followed by a nap, lunch, minchah, my 2 o'clock chavrusa (Tallelei Chaim), and my 3:30 chavrusa (Likutei Moharan). As the day winds down to Seudat Shlishi, I am already feeling the waning of the menucha of the day. Even for a retired guy, Shabbos still has menucha.
ReplyDeleteLovely, Nisan. Nothing wrong with loving the holy Shabbat, and all it has to offer a world-weary neshama!
DeleteRuti, you so eloquently put into words so many of my thoughts that I don't seem to find the way to put them together. I'm not sure I have a favorite day but if I HAD to choose one, it's probably SHABBOS. I love not hearing anything from the "outside " world and being together with family and friends. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and encouraging me to think about mine. Have a wonderful week. May we share good news, always.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Sara, for reading, and for your lovely comments. Yes, I am also in love with hearing nothing outside but the voices of birds and children -- and the occasional family pet or feral cat. And spending true quality time with family is so very precious. Thank you again for "stopping by" the blog, and sharing your thoughts.
DeleteIn the siddurim I've used over the years, I've noticed something I think is special - no matter how the "Shiur shel Yom" section is arranged, the kapital for Friday always seems to be on a page of its own. To me, the siddur is saying "it's erev Shabbat . . . take your time at the makolet, buy something extra that's nice for Shabbat, relax a bit, get into the mood for Shabbat." I love hearing people wish each other a Shabbat Shalom on Fridays. Erev Shabbat here in E"Y is unlike erev Shabbat anywhere else in the world.
ReplyDeleteAh, I totally agree! It is hard to give this over to someone not living here -- but as nice as is Erev Shabbat anywhere in the world, there is something very special here. I went to my siddurim to check -- and you are right. I have to say that your words will now add an extra measure of mindfulness to my Friday morning davening. Thanks! And good to hear from you again, KVS!
Delete