Embracing the Sanctuary in Time | Shabbat Through an Autistic Lens
As the week winds down and we stand on the threshold of Shabbat, my thoughts often turn to the teachings of one of history’s finest theologians, Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel. His seminal work, The Sabbath, offers profound insights that resonate deeply with me as a member of the autistic community. Heschel describes Shabbat as a 'sanctuary in time', a concept that I find particularly meaningful.
In our modern, 'technical civilization', where the pace of life is relentless and often overwhelming, the concept of Shabbat as a time for rest and disconnection becomes ever more essential. For those of us in the autistic community, this day takes on an additional layer of significance. We navigate a world that is frequently inundated with sensory and social stimuli that can be exhausting and overwhelming. Shabbat offers us a respite from this constant bombardment.
Shabbat is not merely about refraining from physical labor. It's about spiritual and emotional renewal. It's a day to step back from the everyday demands, to disconnect from the cacophony of daily life, and to reconnect with our inner selves in a more profound and peaceful way. This day provides a moment of quiet reflection, a chance to recalibrate and recharge in a manner that honors our unique sensory and emotional needs.
For us in the #ActuallyAutistic community, Shabbat becomes more than a religious observance; it's a vital sanctuary. It's a time when we can celebrate our need for a different kind of engagement with the world. On Shabbat, we have the opportunity to embrace our unique rhythms and ways of experiencing life, away from the expectations and pressures of the outside world.
As we enter into Shabbat each week, let's cherish this sacred time. Let's allow ourselves the space to breathe, to be, and to experience the world in a way that is authentic and true to our nature. Shabbat offers us a chance to find peace and rejuvenation, to pause and appreciate the beauty of simply being.
Shabbat Shalom to all my autistic friends, Jewish and non-Jewish. Shabbat is a day for ALL. May this day bring you the peace and renewal you deserve.
