I'm looking forward to the Sabbath, but I've got a fair amount of things to do before then because, honestly, taking a day of rest can be a lot of work. It takes thought and preparation to arrive at the seventh day with your immediate needs provided for. Making sure your fridge is stocked, the clothes you need for the day are washed, and clearing your schedule is work. It's easy for Friday afternoons to become a whirlwind of stress and the the frantic pace of trying to get everything done. The to-do list overflows into the seventh day and many of us find ourselves working to get everything done, even on the Sabbath. When you're striving for perfection it's easy to enter Shabbat feeling exhausted and anxious. However, this is not what our Creator had in mind when he gave us the joy of a day of rest. Sabbath is not a reward for checking off our to-do list. He does not say to rest if we have everything done. He just says to rest. The first Sabbath we see in Scripture was taken by YHWH himself. On the sixth day YHWH ended his work that he had made; and rested on the seventh day from all his work that he he made. -Genesis 2:2 I find it interesting that YHWH still had quite a bit of things to do. In six days he formed most of Creation, but he had yet to make Adam and Eve. We can look further into his schedule to know that he would be making clothes for them very soon, and that he needed to give Noah instructions for the ark, break down the tower of Babel, appear to Abraham, free the Israelites from slavery, give them Torah, guide them as the pillar of cloud/fire, speak through the prophets, send Yahsuha into the world, and on and on. YHWH wasn't resting because he was finished working. I think we have certain expectations for what a day of rest looks like: sunny and peaceful, delcious meals waiting for us in the fridge, a pristine home, and the to-do list so checked off that not a single chore crosses our minds. While that sounds lovely we are going to become frustrated and disappointed if we look at Shabbat as something we do once we've completed all our work. No matter how much you've accomplished this week there will be plenty to do next. Sabbath rest is not negotiable. It's not a reward for getting everything done. We don't rest because we have finished working. We rest so that we can keep working. It's okay to rest even if the kitchen is a mess. It's okay to rest even if you have a big paper due on Monday. It's okay to rest when there remains work to be done. "The Shabbat was made for man, and not man for Shabbat." -Mark 2:27 In other words - Shabbat was made for you to rest, not for you to get everything perfect for. The Messiah's statement here reminds us that there aren't complicated rules to the Sabbath. He does not require that we light candles or bake challah bread. He does not ask that our homes be immaculate or that everything be in order. He tells us that he made Shabbat for us so that we could rest, no matter how hectic the rest of the week was or will be. "Six days you shall labor, and do all your work: but the seventh day is the Shabbat of YHWH your Elohim." -Exodus 20:9-10 This Shabbat give yourself permission to rest. Even if there's still stuff to do. Even if you don't' feel ready. Give yourself permission because YHWH does. More on the Sabbath: Six Reasons Believers Should Keep the Sabbath Why I'm Still Keeping the Sabbath What to Do on the Sabbath

Isaiah 56:2: Happy is the person who does this and grasps this, who keeps Shabbat and does not profane it, and keeps himself from doing evil. YHWH's Shabbat was created as a day of rest and a day of happiness. Rest and happiness. Don't those go together? Don't we look forwards to breaks and vacations? Shabbat is peace for our bodies and souls. YHWH knew before creation the importance of rest for our health and happiness. Shouldn't we trust Him enough to rest on this day so that He will fill us with joy? Shabbat is not a day of complex rules; it is not hard to keep. It is a day to be joyful! At sundown tonight Shabbat starts; keep it and you will find joy and peace. Simcha and shalom.

This spectacular, sculptural Shabbat Shalom challah board uses Laura’s signature elements of contrasting polished and matte metal and gently curved waves of steel engraved with the words Shabbat Shalom (in Hebrew). Instead of using the traditional silversmith's technique of soldering in order to join pieces together, Laura has perfected a technique using hidden magnets. The high quality, shiny, stainless steel pieces are hand curved into waves. Both the waves and the steel salt dish are attached to the base by hidden neodymium magnets. The wooden board is also detachable if you prefer to rip and not cut your challah. Perfect as a Sabbath gift for any Jewish home. Materials: Anodized aluminum, stainless steel, birch wooden board, neodymium magnets. Size: 28 cm x 41 cm  (11 inch x 16.5 inch)  This item ships from Israel. Express shipping is not available. Allow 10-15 business days to arrive.

Someone had to do it, and that someone was me, evidently. I think I used the wrong font after the Keep Calm and Cholent On ... I should fix ...

Flour-dusted counter tops, delectable treats iced and baked in all shapes and sizes- all in the name of Christmas.  For all those who look forward to their annual cookie swap, or for anyone who loves a good holiday treat, this print will have visions of baked goodies dancing in your head!