Heaven on Earth
September 3, 2012 - 5:00 am“I rejoiced with those who said to me,
‘Let us go to the house of the LORD.’” — Psalm 122:1
If you were to imagine heaven on earth, what would it look like? A tropical paradise? A mountaintop hide-away? A place where all your favorite people are gathered? A place that is stress-free — no disease, no disasters, no disappointments?
What about a place where it is always the Sabbath?
In the Jewish faith, that is exactly how heaven — or the world to come — is described. Life in heaven is described as a time when it is always Sabbath, a time when the beauty and tranquility of Shabbat (Hebrew for Sabbath) are constantly felt. In other words, Jews believe that the observance of Shabbat enables us to experience a taste of that world to come and gives us a glimpse of that ideal state of creation experienced by Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.
The concept of Sabbath is so central to the Jewish faith and life. More Jewish literature — legal, mystical, and homiletic — has been written on this topic than on any other. It is described by the rabbis as shekulah kineged kol hamitzvot, “of equal import to all the rest of the commandments put together.” Those who observe the Sabbath are regarded as if they have observed the entire Torah.
Everything we do points to Shabbat. It is a day that rejuvenates our spirits, replenishes our strength, and revitalizes us so that we can face another week. But it has a deeper meaning as the epitome of sanctified living. The Sabbath is observed not for the sake of the rest of the week, but rather, the rest of the week is the prologue for the arrival of Shabbat. We live each day in anticipation of the Sabbath.
What would it look like if you fashioned your week in anticipation of spending time with God? If you carved out time each week when — truly — no work was done, phones were turned off, the TV was silent? How might this refresh and rejuvenate you? How might it change your relationship with God?
As the Jewish philosopher Abraham Heschel wrote, the Sabbath is “an island in time.”
Sounds a bit like heaven on earth, doesn’t it?
Rabbi Eckstein,I read your devotionals at least everyday.After reading “Heaven on earth”,I plan on reading more.Thank you for the daily word from our father in Heaven.
Another great article today. Keep them coming. Everyday I am up lifted by your daily devotionals. it’s the only thing, besides my family, that keeps the hoelessness and despair away. Thank you very much. God bless you and Israel.
Dearest Rabbi,
Heaven on Earth to me is where-ever the spirit of God dwells. I have observed and studied Shabbat and it is most sacred.
To live in the presence of God and his Son Jesus Christ, is the righteous desire of my soul.
Nothing is most satisfying than to go to the house of Jehovah Shalom to have soul nurishment, abudant blessing and coming closer to the will of God. Truly, King David had felt that sense of belongingness to Elohim,s heart. Sabbath, therefore, is for every believer, a unique time than all other times in the week. You listen to God at this period of time, and you speak from your heart to El Shaddai, during this period of time. The Jewish Sabbath of the Bible, is the Heavenly Sabbath of Christians in general. By all accounts, I agree to your description of the Sabbath in its totality, because it is presented in the way I see it always. God bless you!
I have Abraham Heschel’s little book on Shabbat. It’s time to read it again. Shabbat is a foreshadowing of eternal life and rest. How lovely that God wants fellowship with us.