The Gift of Rest: "Sabbath Afternoon" & "Sabbath Rest on the Street"

In this episode, Rabbi Soloveichik examines the meaning of rest on the Sabbath through Moritz Daniel Oppenheim's paintings "Sabbath Afternoon" and "Sabbath Rest on the Street." Connecting Oppenheim's work with the ideas of Rabbi Norman Lamm, Maria Poggi Johnson, and Senator Joseph Lieberman, Rabbi Soloveichik reveals the true meaning of Sabbath rest: not just refraining from work, but also awakening the soul. Oppenheim's paintings capture this idea aptly. Rabbi Soloveichik also connects this point to modern life, highlighting how the Jewish Sabbath offers a timeless antidote to the distractions of the digital age.​