The second increment of time I discussed in Singapore was the week. We see that G-d created man and woman on the sixth day. He then rested on the seventh day. Obviously, G-d was not “tired” from His creative work. So why did He rest and why specifically at that time? In order to spend time with His creation, specifically mankind!

One of the main reasons for the seventh day Shabbat is to commune and have fellowship with G-d. It is to be used to turn our hearts to Him in a unique way and not to do our daily work. In order to be successful in setting aside this time, we must plan and prepare. Living an intentional life is the only way to accomplish this.

All of this works to provide structure to our lives. In I Corinthians we read that “G-d is not a G-d of confusion but of peace.” We need to remember that peace has a connection to the fulfilment of G-d’s will. Certainly we will only know G-d’s will and follow it if we are communing with Him and deepening our relationship with Him.

For several years we lived in an ultra-Orthodox neighbourhood here in Israel. It was easy to tell as the week progressed that everyone was preparing for Shabbat. For Shabbat, Judaism has many rules. These rules, mostly based upon Scripture, dictate what is permissible and what is forbidden. Some of the forbidden actions include cooking, driving, turning electricity on and off, etc. One can see how forethought is necessary. One must grocery shop, cook, clean, do laundry, etc. in time to have everything completed before the Sabbath begins.

I am not telling you how to observe the Shabbat, but rather reminding you that G-d instituted the Shabbat for everyone and it would be beneficial to consider how we can use the Sabbath day to draw closer to the L-rd and commune with Him. This will refresh and renew us Spiritually.