Sabbath: Ancient Practice Meets Modern World

In his new film SABBATH, award-winning filmmaker Martin Doblmeier explores the religious, secular, psychological, and sociological implications of a weekly day of rest for a “profoundly burned-out world.” The wide-ranging two-hour documentary delves into the history and practice of an ancient concept that is rooted in the biblical story of creation. 

Released to PBS stations nationwide this summer, the film has become a catalyst for a growing wave of events across the United States focused on re-examining the ancient practice of a weekly 24-hour “time out” and its relevance for contemporary life. 

A free screening is being presented at The Community Library on Thursday, Nov. 2 at 5:30 pm and will be followed by a brief round of small group discussions for those who are interested. This event is co-sponsored by four local organizations: The Church of Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Hailey, Light on the Mountains Center for Spiritual Living, Sun Valley Seventh-day Adventist Church, and Wood River Jewish Community (WRJC).  

After taking the lead in organizing free community screenings of several documentaries—Power of Forgiveness, Come Before Winter (Dietrich Bonhoeffer), and Spiritual Audacity (Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel), the Sun Valley Seventh-day Adventist Church (SDA) in Hailey wanted to continue with a presentation of the Sabbath film. 

Pastor Stephen McCandless of the SDA church explains his enthusiasm for the movie’s subject. “Sabbath was originally established as a celebration of creation, new life, and the enjoyment of a pristine environment for humanity to flourish. It was gifted to the entire human race as a time of restoration and empowerment to face the coming week. This documentary engages us in a fresh conversation of the history and value of the Sabbath rest.”

On Sept. 30, The New Yorker published a review of the film in an essay by Casey Cep titled “The Quiet Revolution of the Sabbath.” Cep notes that Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch, who appears in the film, appreciates the “revolutionary concept” of a religious or political authority requiring work, instead of rest. She also cites Duke University’s professor Norman Wirzba explaining “Sabbath isn’t simply a pious teaching. What’s at issue is the very meaning of life.”

"I believe that most of us are looking for permission to stop what seems like an endless workload. We long to take a breath and give ourselves permission to stop. This Sabbath film explores this longing in ways that speak to many whether they approach it from a religious/spiritual or secular perspective," observes Rev. John Moreland, Light on the Mountains.  

Doblmeier and the Journey Films team traveled coast-to-coast exploring Sabbath beliefs and practice, meeting authors – both secular and religious, monks, theologians, clergy, farmers, physicians, and practitioners young and more senior. He shows the profound beauty of the practice across traditions, the principles of justice that undergird it, and the potential it offers for healing the world.

“This noteworthy documentary addresses key teachings of Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel —from Heschel’s marching with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to championing "Tikkun Olam", Hebrew—for repairing the world,” says Jeff Rose, CEO of Wood River Jewish Community. “In a valley where so many of us work hard, play big, and appreciate the environment and community in which we live, the Sabbath is a special day of rest and reflection in the Jewish community. This film is not to be missed.” 

Beyond the historical religious practices of Sabbath-keeping, Doblmeier examines the connections found between the Sabbath and the environment, the Sabbath and equality, the Sabbath and health, the Sabbath and compassion, and the Sabbath and community.. 

John Hall, head elder of the Sun Valley Seventh-day Adventist Church, is eager to share the Sabbath film with the Wood River Valley community. “Sabbath is a keystone of faith. To be able to share how Sabbath rest transforms and blesses one’s life is a special privilege.”

The documentary reviews the fascinating history of Sabbath, from its biblical origins to the present day. Sunday closing laws, preventing stores and other commercial enterprises from operating on the Sabbath, go back to the early founding of America. Those “Blue Laws” were supported in the early 20th century by the nascent labor union movement, “a surprisingly religious story that does converge around Sabbath,” according to American religious historian Thomas Kidd. Closing laws (which did not extend to those who celebrate Sabbath on Saturday), are largely gone, but still exist in towns such as Bergen, New Jersey, where the mayor says that Sunday closures allow the town “one day when we can catch our breath and relax." 

Heather Wesley, Communications Director for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Hailey, encourages everyone to “view the film and consider the significance of dedicating one day a week to rest, reflection and spiritual renewal. We hope it will inspire individuals and families of all backgrounds to find greater joy and unity in observing a day of rest.”