First Things Podcast The Sabbath is Back! (ft. J. J. Kimche)
Dec 4, 2025
J. J. Kimche, a religious scholar specializing in Jewish thought, dives into the contemporary relevance of the Sabbath through John Levinson's insights. He explains how the Sabbath serves as a remedy for today's relentless work culture and contrasts it with modern mindfulness trends. Delving into biblical origins, Kimche reveals the Sabbath’s unique ability to disrupt time and create sacred meaning. He discusses its role in social memory and community rituals, emphasizing the profound atmosphere it creates, urging listeners to experience its significance firsthand.
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Sabbath As Antidote To Modern Overload
- The Sabbath reasserts a weekly sacred rhythm that counters constant modern work and device pressure.
- J. J. Kimche says carving regular time restores inner tranquility and communal connection.
Week As A Supernatural Rhythm
- The biblical Sabbath is a supernatural rhythm placed over natural cycles to reveal meaning beyond nature.
- Levinson and J. J. Kimche emphasize the week is divinely instituted with Sabbath as its crown.
Sabbath Connects Divine And Social Memory
- The Sabbath fuses vertical devotion to God with horizontal duties to fellow humans.
- Levinson shows it recalls creation and the Exodus, linking worship with social justice.
