JBFCS: Rita J. Kaplan Jewish Connections Programs

Rita J. Kaplan Jewish Connections Programs of the Jewish Board of Family and Children's Services

November 2009

Shabbat and Healing

This Shabbat, our programs are hosting two of our largest events of the year, the JACS Spiritual Weekend Retreat and the Bikur Cholim Coordinating Council’s Annual Conference. To honor this weekend, we are sharing this month with you an excerpt from our publication, The Outstretched Arm. This edition is addresses Shabbat and Healing.

What do these commandments suggest about the healing dimensions of Shabbat?
Shamor V’Zachor / Remember and Observe

Toasting Recovery Through Shabbat

The Talmud (toward the end of Pesachim) teaches "Remember "Remember (the Shabbat) over wine," the halachic source for Kiddush. But what if you are an alcoholic and your recovery requires that wine be abjured? While obviously one can fulfill the mitzvah with grape juice, how can one fulfill the spirit of "Remembering Shabbat over wine?"

When I attended this past winter’s JACS retreat, I heard the heart wrenching stories of people struggling with various addictions, the terrible effects on their families. And I heard how they found Jewish spiritual strength guiding their recovery.

For me, the most poignant moment was during the inspired dancing after Havdalah. About halfway through I broke down in tears. I have led celebratory Havdalahs before but this was different. These wonderful individuals, using the wisdom of the Torah and the 12-step movement, were somehow able to overcome the horrors they had experienced and celebrate Shabbat and life. They were truly able to Remember the Shabbat, but not with wine. And let us remember those among us who are in recovery!

Rabbi Joseph S. Ozarowski, DMin., Chaplain
Jewish Healing Network of Chicago, JFCS

Caregiving: Doing and Not Doing

The Rabbis interpret shamor and zachor to represent the two faces of Shabbat. Zachor/Remember represents the things we actively do to make Shabbat, like lighting candles, saying Kiddush or resting. Shamor/Keep represents what we don’t do and as a result, Shabbat comes into being, such as not working or not using money. In the same way, shamor and zachor represent the two faces of caregiving. Zachor/Remember represents the things we actively do as caregivers — driving, giving medicine, making appointments, personal care, etc….Shamor/Keep represents what we don’t do — not running away, not taking out our frustration on those closest to us or not swearing under our breadth — and as a result, our love, our reason for caregiving is manifest.

Holy One of Blessings, you showed your love for us by giving us Shabbat, both ‘shamor’ and ‘zachor.’ May You bless all of us who are caregivers with strength to show our love for those we care for by finding the balance between what we do and what we don’t do.

Malka Young, LICS, Director, Healing Partners
JFS/Metrowest, Framingham, MA

These "Spirituality Notes" are excerpts from our monthly E-newsletter. Articles are © JBFCS Rita J. Kaplan Jewish Connections Programs and may be reprinted free of charge as long as this credit line is included.

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