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Over 20 years ago I was leading Shabbat services in Tallahassee and someone asked the rabbi, “What’s the theme of this week’s Shabbat service?” Rabbi Romberg (who will also be a visiting scholar this month) quipped, “It’s fire prevention Shabbat. We are replacing the kippot with firefighter hats and we'll all be drinking from a hose at the oneg!”

While the quick retort was quite hilarious, the question had really struck a nerve. Why did the service need to have a theme? We at Temple Sinai have many Shabbatot that lift up important issues and people – Repro Shabbat, Pride Shabbat, Refugee Shabbat, Shabbat honoring various leaders in our community, all impactful ways to enhance our Shabbat experience and bring an added dimension to our time together. But at the center of it all, it is just Shabbat. No theme is needed for it to be meaningful.

I don’t mean “just” to be a letdown. Those “just Shabbats” are actually my favorite ones. These are the Shabbatot when we can lean into the poetry of our liturgy, dare to linger in communal singing, receive a poignant message, and revel in the gift of the sacred pause. I love seeing our regular service goers who have figured out the magic of Shabbat, the routine that creates such a beautiful rhythm to our lives.

Coming to services, of course, is not the only way to observe Shabbat (although I highly recommend trying it for a few weeks in a row to see how it feels). Spending meaningful time with family and friends, sharing a meal together, and getting outside to appreciate the majesty of our natural world, are all ways to lift up this uniquely Jewish gift.

No matter what kind of week I’ve had, Shabbat always saves the day. It forces me to be present, to find joy and express gratitude (especially in those challenging weeks), to engage socially and spiritually, and to connect meaningfully with other humans – the greatest blessing of being in community.

So, this week it’s “Just Shabbat.” The best theme of all.

Shabbat Shalom,

Beth