The Sabbath (Paperback)

by Abraham Joshua Heschel (Author), Susannah Heschel (Introduction)
Key Phrases: technical civilization, ancient rabbis, Rabbi Shimeon, Rabbi Judah ben Ilai

Editorial Reviews

Review
"Clearly Heschel's most beloved book, The Sabbath is much more than a book about the Sabbath. It is, rather, our century's most illuminating study of the dynamics of Jewish ritual living." --Dr. Neil Gillman, author of Sacred Fragments

"Timeless. Read it, and be ready to be changed."--The Reverend Richard John Neuhaus, editor in chief of First Things

"Heschel's The Sabbath is easily the primary text for all subsequent American Jewish spirituality."--Rabbi Lawrence Kushner, author of God Was in This Place
-- Review --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"Heschel's The Sabbath is easily the primary text for all subsequent American Jewish Spirituality." --Rabbi Lawrence Kushner, author of God Was In This Place

"Clearly Heschel's most beloved book, The Sabbath is much more than a book about the Sabbath. It is, rather, our century's most illuminating study of the dynamics of Jewish ritual living." --Dr. Neil Gillman, author of Sacred Fragments

"Timeless. Read it, and be ready to be changed." --The Revered Richard John Neuhaus, editor in chief of First Things

See all Editorial Reviews

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Product Details Paperback: 126 pages Publisher: Farrar Straus Giroux (July 28, 2005) Language: English ISBN-10: 0374529752 ISBN-13: 978-0374529758 Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.4 x 0.5 inches Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies) Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (43 customer reviews) Amazon.com Sales Rank: #9,165 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books) Popular in these categories: (What's this?) #1 in  Books > Religion & Spirituality > Authors, A-Z > ( H ) > Heschel, Abraham Joshua #2 in  Books > Religion & Spirituality > Judaism > Jewish Life #72 in  Books > Religion & Spirituality > Bible & Other Sacred Texts

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Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
technical civilization, ancient rabbis

Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Rabbi Shimeon, Rabbi Judah ben Ilai

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Citations (learn more)

This book cites 8 books:

• The Legends of the Jews: From Joshua to Esther by Louis Ginzberg in Back Matter (1), Back Matter (2), and Back Matter (3)
• Myths of the Origin of Fire by Sir James George Frazer in Back Matter
• Who Is Man? by Abraham Heschel in Front Matter
• Our Knowledge of the External World by Bertrand Russell in Back Matter
• Our Knowledge of the External World: As a Field for Scientific Method in Philosophy by Bertrand Russell in Back Matter

See all 8 books this book cites

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Books on Related Topics (learn more)

Between God and Man by Abraham Heschel

Discusses:

• inner liberty
• technical civilization
• ancient rabbis

Between God and Man by Abraham Heschel Discusses: inner liberty technical civilization ancient rabbis Loading...

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Customer Reviews

43 Reviews 5 star:  (38) 4 star:  (2) 3 star:  (2) 2 star:    (0) 1 star:  (1)           Average Customer Review 4.8 out of 5 stars (43 customer reviews)		Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews 99 of 102 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars A must-have classic about "sacred time", July 23, 2000 By  Rabbi Yonassan Gershom (Minnesota, USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)       This review is from: The Sabbath (Hardcover) Perhaps no aspect of Jewish religious observance has been so poorly understood by the outside world as the Sabbath. Gentile expressions such as "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath" have tended to give the impression that the Jewish Sabbath is something oppressive. Not so, says Rabbi Heschel. The Sabbath, when understood properly, is a gift of freedom. In this now-classic book, first published in 1951, Heschel shows how the Sabbath is a "palace in time," a carefully structured retreat from the hustle and bustle of the marketplace. The laws of the Sabbath are the spiritual architecture with which the "palace in time" is built. Once you understand the blueprint for that palace, then all of the restrictions and to-do things on the Sabbath make sense. Heschel was the first Jewish theologian (as far as I know) to explain how traditional Jews live more in sacred time than in sacred space. While other religions have devoted their energy to building physical temples and cathedrals in sacred places, Jews have erected sanctuaries in the form of sacred days. Time, like physical space, has a varied texture to it. Just as there are differences between mountains and oceans, so, too, are there are there differences between the Sabbath and the ordinary days of the week. The Sabbath is more than just a secular "day off." It's a specific creation made by God in the very dawn of Creation. The Sabbath is as real as the physical things we see and touch everyday in the natural world. But in order to experience the specialness of the Sabbath, one must step inside the structure of its special rules and observances -- to enter the "palace in time." This book is beautifully-written in poetic prose that will inspire both Jews and non-Jews. It goes in and out of print with various publsihers, so, if it is not available on Amazon right now, track down a used copy or borrow it from the library. You will be very glad you did! s 44 of 44 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful, October 16, 1999 By  Alan Schwartzstein (Dane County, Wisconsin) - See all my reviews This review is from: The Sabbath (Paperback) Quite simply, this is one of the most beautiful, inspiring books I have ever read. Abraham Joshua Heschel, in a very short, accessible, clear manner, spells out the meaning of the Sabbath. I have been Jewish all my life, but realize now that I never truly understood Sabbath. The lessons in this book, which takes very little time to read, come back to me now every Friday night when I sit down with my family to say Shabbat prayers. It also has changed my approach to life the rest of the week, as Mr. Heschel explains the blessing of work and rest, and the place for each in life. Followers of other religions (certainly Christians) who have a day of rest will appreciate and benefit from the message of this book as much as Jewish individuals. 37 of 38 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent introduction to the spirituality of the Sabbath, November 27, 2001 By  A. Doug Floyd "pilgrim" (Louisville, TN United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)       This review is from: The Sabbath (Paperback) I never fully grasped the significance of Sabbath-keeping until reading this book. Heschel introduces several key ideas about the nature of time and how the Sabbath sancitfies time. I am a Christian minister and found this to be an excellent resource, so I would recommend this to anyone who is seeking to understand the important of rest and rhythm in life.		Ad feedback   Most Recent Customer Reviews 1.0 out of 5 stars Poetic Prose To be honest, I didn't enjoy this book. In fact, I only continued reading it because my wife gave it to me. Read more Published 5 days ago by Jared P. Haller 5.0 out of 5 stars Not Just For Jews I am not Jewish but have always contended that God hallowed the seventh day when he finished creation - there were no Jews on earth when He did that. Read more Published 17 days ago by JGA 5.0 out of 5 stars Profoundly moving Rabbi AJ Heschel's book, "The Sabbath" is a short, but densely profound book. Even if you know the abriged version, i.e. Read more Published 3 months ago by David J. Vargas 5.0 out of 5 stars The Sabbath and Sacred Time The Sabbath (2005) is a genuine gem of a book. It is written to help explain the value and importance of the Sabbath, but in the process becomes a universal touchstone for... Read more Published 4 months ago by G. Reiner 5.0 out of 5 stars Most significant and relevent thing I've ever read. Most inspiring book not only on judaism, but on spirituality in general. A must buy for anyone actively seeking a personal relationship with spiritual understanding. Published 5 months ago by S. Steele 4.0 out of 5 stars pretty deep A good book. Short and sweet, but you may have to read it twice if you want to get the deeper meaning. There's a lot to think about. Published 6 months ago by Lula Torintza 3.0 out of 5 stars Heschelian spirituality I liked this book, for several reasons. First, Heschel's a good writer and he put some things into words about the sabbath more beautifully than I've ever read... Read more Published 6 months ago by Bradley D Huebert 5.0 out of 5 stars Great Shabbat Reading Beautifully written, great for Shabbat reading. I read a section of the book every Shabbat to remind myself just what it's about. Published 10 months ago by Diana T. Nguyen 5.0 out of 5 stars To Face Sacred Moments Abraham Heschel is one of the most respected Jewish scholars of the 20th century and of an orthodox view friendly to Christian belief. Read more Published 20 months ago by David J. Alexander 5.0 out of 5 stars Approachable Philosophy Heschel wrote this book for us all. His metaphorical descriptions of the Holy Day are vivid and tangible. This book is more entry level than others he has written. Read more Published on June 2, 2007 by Brian K. Holder Search Customer Reviews Only search this product's reviews

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Product Details

• Paperback: 126 pages
• Publisher: Farrar Straus Giroux (July 28, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0374529752
• ISBN-13: 978-0374529758
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (43 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #9,165 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #1 in	Books > Religion & Spirituality > Authors, A-Z > ( H ) > Heschel, Abraham Joshua
  #2 in	Books > Religion & Spirituality > Judaism > Jewish Life
  #72 in	Books > Religion & Spirituality > Bible & Other Sacred Texts

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

99 of 102 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must-have classic about "sacred time", July 23, 2000

By	Rabbi Yonassan Gershom (Minnesota, USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

This review is from: The Sabbath (Hardcover)

Perhaps no aspect of Jewish religious observance has been so poorly understood by the outside world as the Sabbath. Gentile expressions such as "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath" have tended to give the impression that the Jewish Sabbath is something oppressive. Not so, says Rabbi Heschel. The Sabbath, when understood properly, is a gift of freedom.

In this now-classic book, first published in 1951, Heschel shows how the Sabbath is a "palace in time," a carefully structured retreat from the hustle and bustle of the marketplace. The laws of the Sabbath are the spiritual architecture with which the "palace in time" is built. Once you understand the blueprint for that palace, then all of the restrictions and to-do things on the Sabbath make sense.

Heschel was the first Jewish theologian (as far as I know) to explain how traditional Jews live more in sacred time than in sacred space. While other religions have devoted their energy to building physical temples and cathedrals in sacred places, Jews have erected sanctuaries in the form of sacred days. Time, like physical space, has a varied texture to it. Just as there are differences between mountains and oceans, so, too, are there are there differences between the Sabbath and the ordinary days of the week. The Sabbath is more than just a secular "day off." It's a specific creation made by God in the very dawn of Creation. The Sabbath is as real as the physical things we see and touch everyday in the natural world. But in order to experience the specialness of the Sabbath, one must step inside the structure of its special rules and observances -- to enter the "palace in time."

This book is beautifully-written in poetic prose that will inspire both Jews and non-Jews. It goes in and out of print with various publsihers, so, if it is not available on Amazon right now, track down a used copy or borrow it from the library. You will be very glad you did! s

44 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful, October 16, 1999

By	Alan Schwartzstein (Dane County, Wisconsin) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Sabbath (Paperback)

Quite simply, this is one of the most beautiful, inspiring books I have ever read. Abraham Joshua Heschel, in a very short, accessible, clear manner, spells out the meaning of the Sabbath. I have been Jewish all my life, but realize now that I never truly understood Sabbath. The lessons in this book, which takes very little time to read, come back to me now every Friday night when I sit down with my family to say Shabbat prayers. It also has changed my approach to life the rest of the week, as Mr. Heschel explains the blessing of work and rest, and the place for each in life. Followers of other religions (certainly Christians) who have a day of rest will appreciate and benefit from the message of this book as much as Jewish individuals.

37 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent introduction to the spirituality of the Sabbath, November 27, 2001

By	A. Doug Floyd "pilgrim" (Louisville, TN United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Sabbath (Paperback)

I never fully grasped the significance of Sabbath-keeping until reading this book. Heschel introduces several key ideas about the nature of time and how the Sabbath sancitfies time. I am a Christian minister and found this to be an excellent resource, so I would recommend this to anyone who is seeking to understand the important of rest and rhythm in life.