Summary: Rabbi Ismar Schorsch, Chancellor of the Jewish Theological Seminary, talks with host Larry Josephson about the Jewish Sabbath in celebration of Earth Day.
Agnostic that I am, I found this an interesting, though restless-making hour. Which is ironic, since Shabbbat is all about slowing down. Rabbi Ismar Schorsch does a fine job of explaining the meaning and some of the rituals of Shabbat, both the practical and the poetic. A day dedicated to "stopping the clock," focusing on family, community, gratitude, and matters of spirit is so appealing. A day in which one behaves as a steward of the earth, refraining from the use of machines, not "tinkering or tampering," to again quote the good rabbi, going easy on the use of fossil fuels and energy, all good and valuable concepts to ponder. Shabbat as the heart of Judaism; Shabbat as a way to "manage the challenge of having too much," in host Larry Josephson's words. I appreciate learning all this about the meaning of Shabbat.
What made me restless was the repetition of the concepts. Very similar points made over and over. One thing if I'm studying Judaism, another if I'm a casually curious listener. Some beautiful music included, but its use sometimes frustrating -- small snippets in the first half, slightly longer stretches in the second. I'd just begin to feel the music when it would cease. And I wondered which was secular, which sacred. Fine editing and production quality, but for this listener less talk and more music would have made the difference in the number of stars.
NB: credits at 53:53, music at 54:12-54:36, more credits to 55:04 at which point music cuts out somewhat abruptly.
Comments for Shabbat: Conserving the World - An Earth Day Special
Produced by Rabbi Ismar Schorsch, Chancellor of the Jewish Theological Seminary, talks with host Larry Josephson
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Sydney Lewis
Posted on March 27, 2007 at 12:20 PM | Permalink
Review of Shabbat: Conserving the World - An Earth Day Special
Agnostic that I am, I found this an interesting, though restless-making hour. Which is ironic, since Shabbbat is all about slowing down. Rabbi Ismar Schorsch does a fine job of explaining the meaning and some of the rituals of Shabbat, both the practical and the poetic. A day dedicated to "stopping the clock," focusing on family, community, gratitude, and matters of spirit is so appealing. A day in which one behaves as a steward of the earth, refraining from the use of machines, not "tinkering or tampering," to again quote the good rabbi, going easy on the use of fossil fuels and energy, all good and valuable concepts to ponder. Shabbat as the heart of Judaism; Shabbat as a way to "manage the challenge of having too much," in host Larry Josephson's words. I appreciate learning all this about the meaning of Shabbat.
What made me restless was the repetition of the concepts. Very similar points made over and over. One thing if I'm studying Judaism, another if I'm a casually curious listener. Some beautiful music included, but its use sometimes frustrating -- small snippets in the first half, slightly longer stretches in the second. I'd just begin to feel the music when it would cease. And I wondered which was secular, which sacred. Fine editing and production quality, but for this listener less talk and more music would have made the difference in the number of stars.
NB: credits at 53:53, music at 54:12-54:36, more credits to 55:04 at which point music cuts out somewhat abruptly.