Each religion has a set of concepts that characterize it, defining the doctrine’s foundations and the main principles. In Judaism, such principles include Sacred Time and Sacred Place. The first concept refers to Shabbat, 25-hour abstinence from any activity and several specific holidays. The second means the allotment of the corners of the field for the poor’s needs, i.e., creating some blissful place (Kukla, n.d.). However, from my perspective, the concept of Sacred Time is much more significant in Jewish culture and religion.
In contrast to the Sacred Place, Time in a broad sense is understood as a particular rite. Although this concept also includes various holidays, the first thing to be noted is Shabbat. This period has clear time boundaries, starting at sunset on Friday and ending at nightfall on Saturday (“Sacred Time,” n.d.). Besides, there is a unique custom of an evening family dinner to mark Shabbat. This religious tradition is very closely intertwined with the life of Jewish believers.
Shabbat occurs at the end of each week and is also characterized by rest and devotion of this time to prayer, food and sleep. Precisely because of the constant significance this concept has in believers’ lives, I consider Sacred Time to be more important for Jews. In contrast to the somewhat vague idea of the Sacred Place, the Shabbat is given a well-defined time and frequency.
Secondly, the time has a special sacredness due to its essence and symbolism. Space and place are entirely subordinated to the persons who can erect buildings and manipulate objects as they wish (Crosbie, n.d.). On the other hand, time is not available for controlling and manipulating. Its flow can neither be stopped nor reversed; it moves inexorably forward, subjugating a person’s life by its mere presence. While the environment can be changed at the will of man, in the inevitable passage of time, you can find a divine essence that is an eternity in disguise (Crosbie, n.d.). The only thing that a person can do over time is to put it into the service of God and share this time with others. Precisely because of the incomprehensibility of the passage of time and the need to obey it, from my point of view, Sacred Time is of greater importance as a concept in Judaism.
References
Crosbie, M. (n.d.). Sacred time, sacred space. Faith & Form. Web.
Kukla, R. E. R. (n.d.). Sacred time and space. Jewish Learning. Web.
Sacred Time. (n.d.). Patheos. Web.