The head of the Reform movement, Rabbi Eric Yoffie, has called for an increase in Sabbath observance among Reform Jews—bringing back Shabbos, whether you will. But not quite the Shabbos we know and cherish. “It will mean… approaching Shabbat with the creativity that has always distinguished Reform Judaism,” the Jerusalem Post quoted Yoffie as saying in a speech at the movement’s convention (given last Saturday, ironically). “It will mean emphasizing the ‘Thou shalts’ of Shabbat candles and Kiddush, rest and study, prayer and community—rather than the ‘Thou shalt nots.’”

Is the Reform push for Shabbos a positive or negative development? I think we should support any return to observance by our Jewish brothers and sisters. Even a tiny, uneven step can help move one in the right direction. Isn’t that what we would say to a prospective ba’al teshuvah at our Shabbos table?

But it’s so very unlucky that the Reform movement fails to understand the beauty of Shabbos just as G-d made it, the way the proscriptions free us from our weekday preoccupations and manufacture room, psychologically speaking, for the holiness that the prescriptions bring.

In the same address, Yoffie urged every temple to institute a study program about Islam to further Jewish-Muslim understanding. Such a curriculum would no doubt glorify Islam and whitewash its hostile messages. Sadly, whether Yoffie succeeds, Reform

Jews will end up knowing more about Islam than they do about Judaism.

Meanwhile, Shimon Peres recently promised to keep a loner Shabbos, in response to a ask by France’s chief rabbi. I’m not certain whether he actually did it, but his pledge to do so sounded more like a publicity move to me. He even invited Muslims and Christians to join in the ritual. The only direction Peres is moving (besides hopefully toward retirement) is toward the nearest television camera. But who knows…there has to be a pintele yid in there somewhere.

Original post by Ziona Greenwald

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