TOV, The Sabbath, and Integrated Health

I recently taught a module on Integrated Health in the Texas Health Presbyterian Nursing Program. In our society, "Health" has come to mean the absence of disease. I see people who exercise, pardon me, "religiously." They eat right, take vitamins and herbal concoctions and that is wonderful. But, something seems to be missing in many cases, and I believe it is feeding, nourishing and nurturing their spirits.

We live a "McXistance" -- we run from work to, school, to childcare, to projects, to networking, to home, and even to the gym. When do we slow down or when do we find a moment "to be still?" Doing the same thing every day, all the time without a boundary leads to a complete breakdown of our humanity and spirituality. Are we not worthy of what in Hebrew is called, "Shalom?"

 Shalom means more than Peace, or Hello/Goodbye –

Shalom means Completeness, Wholeness and Well-being.

While being a "ME" is so important, let's remember that humans are communal creatures. Even with all the isolating technology, we are marked by our interdependence on one another. Real human strength comes from the existence of a "WE!"

The Hebrew word TOV (Good, Life Protecting) occurs 7 times in Genesis 1. The first time we find something that IS NOT TOV, is in the next story of Adam and Eve, where we learn -- it is not TOV for humans to be alone. There is strength, meaning and purpose that comes from being with others. It can uplift us and help recharge our spirits.

The last part of the material in the module was called, "Keeping Sabbath," an article written by a Christian minister. He talked about the fact that in the last 30 years, Sunday has been eroded to being like every other day. The result, he said, is a dangerously fatigued nation. I never quite got the prohibition of work on Shabbat. All rabbis in pulpits "work" on Shabbat and the Holidays. Ministers, priests and pastors have to do the same. After a while, I realized that it's not necessarily the day, but making "Sacred Time," a time and a shrine, to decompress, to study, to eat a satisfying meal, to be grateful, to review all our Blessings and to share these things with others. Shabbat is a “ME” and a “WE” thing!

I always encourage people to create a "spiritual life" for themselves. It is part of Integrated Health to care for mind, body and spirit. In teaching the TOV Standard and TOV Values, “keeping a Shabbat (Sabbath)" has great significance. Many religious authorities argue "their" way is the only way to keep Shabbat. I never pay attention to them anyway, because I live in the real world. Notice I said keeping "A Shabbat." That can mean a lot of things to different people. In the story of TOV in Genesis, a period of Time is a Living Creature. The Creator Blessed a period of time like the Creator only Blessed living creatures. It had a special function unlike any other period of time.

The Shabbat was also a sacred place, entered by those wherever they are, even in the midst of darkness. Shabbat, is a sacred time and sacred space when we cease our normal activities, gather together, acknowledge the Creator (God, The Force, Our Highest Self, Whatever...) view our blessings, feed one another's souls with the Highest Wisdom, rest and recharge.

One day is not too much to ask, for the renewal of mind, body and spirit. Just a day to let your Creator (however you may understand that) speak to your spirit and allow you to take in the wonder of life!

Do TOV - Choose Life! 

Rabbi Jeffrey Leynor

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