Live wire. Stand up comedian. Entertainer. But also — engaging and insightful. These were some of the descriptors used for the guest speaker at The Jewish Experience’s 360-strong Shabbat dinner last Friday.
The Shabbat Project has to be one of the most innovative yet simple ideas introduced in the past years. Started in 2013 by South Africa’s Chief Rabbi, Warren Goldstein, the idea was this: come together to celebrate Shabbat. Deceptively simple.
Five years on, the Shabbat Project is an unequivocal success, giving the opportunity to Jews everywhere to participate in a global phenomenon. It creates connections across continents and communities.
Points of connection — that was the theme of Rabbi Gavriel Friedman’s dynamic talk. Brilliantly channeling Michael Caine, Destiny’s Child and Celine Dion among others, Rav Gav emphasized that to appreciate Judaism, and Shabbat in particular, we need to see Shabbat as an opportunity to connect to G-d, rather than a set of rules.
The metaphor he used was an interpersonal relationship: When things are great, the rules do not hinder but actually propel us. When the relationship is struggling, the rules — restrictions — become front and center.
A day of rest in the 24/7 world we live in is an opportunity indeed, whether it is to connect with G-d, family, friends or even oneself — or all of the above.
As I reflected on Rav Gav’s powerful message, I realized that The Jewish Experience needs to bring him back for part two: How do we reach the place where see only the points of connections, beyond the rules?
Shana Goldberg may be reached at [email protected]
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