I am a Sabbatarian. [In a flexible modern non-traditional way. Lol. No Sabbath elevator hangups, just church, contemplation and prayer. I love my prayer group!] I look on the bright side. Covid-19 is forcing a pause.
At the height of 2000 many Rabbi’s were wondering if the Internet was even kosher? I wondered too. Where is the “six day work, one day off” model in the digital world. Was it now obsolete?
Could I build a startup and still observe Shabbat/Sabbath? It bothered me to the point of a near breakdown.
B&H Photo Video had the answer. Sure you could view product, but we are not shipping till Saturday night! Their witness was evident, their Sabbatarian values were preserved. Their sales did not suffer. Their employees legitmately get time off. Won’t work for everyone, but it solved my internal conundrum.
Its no wonder (that politics aside), companies like Chick-a-Fil and B&H do extremely well. Makes me wonder if to save the enviroment we should all cut back.
As you individually prepare for the nation’s shutdown do so prayerfully and with restraint. A lot of people are scared and for good reason. Some need help -like seniors too afraid to go outside to get food. Now is the time for humanity to shine. Dust off that phone list and call everyone over 50. [That includes me. I just got my AARP card]. Pray with them. Reassure them. Mail them a love box and a card. Cards…. remember those.
Take a breath (not near anyone) and contemplate life, your future and what really matters. The Bible says: “The Sabbath was made for man”.
Maybe this disaster was somehow “made” for us — to take a pause. At least it will make us stop hurting the planet for a minute. I see nothing but good emerging from this crisis — The love shown to hospital workers in Italy through song. The donations from China Red Cross. Jack Ma’s donations. Let’s begin that spirit.