True Sabbath Isn’t Narcissism Disguised as Self-Care (Kelsey Osgood)

In a world of distractions, hyperactivity, and burnout, many of us yearn for rest from our work and our devices. To find this rest, many have turned to the Jewish practice of shabbat or sabbath, ceasing at least some of their regular activity during one day of the week.

Kelsey Osgood, a graduate of Colombia University and Goucher College, is a writer and practicing Orthodox Jew. In this episode, Dru and Kelsey discuss her recent article, "Why Your 'Digital Shabbat' Will Fail." Kelsey argues that resting in religious community, rather than as an individual—and not merely for personal reasons, but because God requires it—is a practice that, though difficult, is deeply beneficial.

Show notes:

• 0:00 Preparing for Shabbat
• 5:35 Discussing Kelsey's recent article
• 9:00 Two major problems with an individual "digital shabbat"
• 12:56 Narcissism disguised as self-care
• 14:19 Can individual Christians practice shabbat?
• 19:28 The discomfort of practicing Judaism
• 22:47 The benefits of practicing shabbat

Show notes by Micah Long

Credits for the music used in TBM podcast can be found at: hebraicthought.org/credits.