The desire to let go of the stresses of today's world has made the Sabbath more popular than ever, states Mykoff in his introduction to this spiritual guidebook to Shabbat awareness. "Shabbat offers us a vision of the world not as it is but as it has the potential to be"—a taste of seventh heaven, he says. The keys to unlocking its mysteries are the mitzvot
(commandments) that create "togetherness and connection" and enable us to draw closer to God. Based on the teachings of Hasidic master Rebbe Nachman of Breslov (1772–1810) and his disciple Reb Noson, the book is divided into five sections: "On the Way In" (preparing for Shabbat and letting go of the week) ; Shabbat Night (ascent into holiness); Shabbat morning (expanding awareness); Shabbat afternoon (wholeness and harmony) and "On the Way Out" (carrying Shabbat holiness into the everyday). Mykoff takes readers step by step into Shabbat observance, focusing on fascinating details like the Friday activity of trimming nails: "being dead matter, the nails symbolize our lifelessness—those parts of our body that have stopped growing spiritually." Everything matters on Shabbat, from setting the table and sleeping to reciting specific prayers, reading from the Torah and sharing meals. Mykoff's writing mimics the calm of Shabbat, but one might have to be prepared for a mystical focus to truly benefit from its call to mindfulness. (June)
