In the Judeo-Christian tradition, the Sabbath is a day of rest during the week. Our guest in this episode, Judith Shulevitz, is a journalist and literary critic who has thought deeply about what the secular world can learn about meaningful rest from the practice of the Sabbath. In her book The Sabbath World: Glimpses of a Different Order of Time, she explores how, despite our culture of workaholism, we can still discover the restorative joy of rest, reflection, and family. Shulevitz is also a regular contributor to the New York Times and the Atlantic, and is the chief science writer of the New Republic. Over the course of our conversation, we discuss the origins of the Sabbath, the ideals this tradition can bring back for the individual and community, and how clinicians can create space for purposeful rest amid their busy lives.

In this episode, you will hear about:

• What drew Shulevitz towards re-engaging with her Jewish faith as an adult - 2:50
• What observing the Sabbath looks like in a traditional Jewish household - 5:20
• An exploration of the idea of a “secular Sabbath” and what it could mean for the modern world - 10:33
• The relentless culture of medical residency training and the factors contributing to it - 13:00
• How medical training affects physicians’ sense of community - 36:37
• Shulevitz’ advice to those with very busy schedules on how to make space for purposeful rest in their lives - 38:52
• Reflections on the need for physicians to process the extremes of emotion and suffering they encounter - 47:36
• Why it is critical to be present in the real world during times of rest - 50:45

Judith Shulevitz is the author of The Sabbath World: Glimpses of a Different Order of Time.

You can follow Judith Shulevitz on Twitter @JudithShulevitz.

Visit our website www.TheDoctorsArt.com where you can find transcripts of all episodes.