Foodie Lit
Charlie Kirk. Stop in The Name Of God
You’ve seen it. Friends together in cafés on their phones. Parents walking with children on their phones. Children in class on devices in silence. Families at dinner, the television on, devices in hand. We are face to face, not talking, not sharing, not getting to know each other.
Charlie Kirk felt this disconnect even in his own life. He did not invent a solution but turned to the oldest continuous religious celebration in human history: the Jewish Sabbath.
Charlie astounded many when he announced he was going to observe the Sabbath. From Friday evening at sunset until Saturday night when three stars appear, Charlie put away his cell phone, computer and work, had a special dinner and time with his family. For a busy public person, this was difficult, unusual and ultimately life affirming.
Stop in the Name of God explains why this young, incredibly influential conservative Christian thinker began to observe the Sabbath, Shabbat in Hebrew. Not Jewish, Charlie realized Shabbat changed his life, anchoring each week with a sacred spiritual space.
Charlie deeply loved the Jewish people and Israel and believed in their continued sacred place in the world. Throughout this well written book, one recognizes his respect and support for Jews and Israel. Charlie used Jewish and Christian thinkers in his study of Shabbat, recognizing the roots of Christianity in Judaism and their many commonalities.
The Fourth Commandment makes time holy. Charlie commented, “It is the only command given to all of creation—man, woman, child, slave, foreigner and beast. The frequency of its invocation in Scripture underscores its foundational role in the covenantal imagination of Israel.” The late Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, beloved Chief Rabbi of the United Kingdon, held the Sabbath was the most radical concept in the Torah, declaring the equality and dignity of all human beings. It is an affirmation of each human being’s worthiness, unique in the ancient world.
Charlie saw Shabbat as an antidote to the younger generation’s use of screen time and its devastating consequences. Young people spend an alarming amount of time on devices: 13 to 18-year-olds 8 1/2 hours outside of school; 8 to 12-years-old 5 1/2 hours outside of school. (Common Sense Media 2022 census). These younger generations have had a sharp increase in anxiety, depression and suicide. Simultaneously, there has been a lowering of reading and math scores across US schools. Research indicates that excessive smartphone usage coincides with mental health decline. Prolonged time on social media and devices predicts depressive symptoms.
Shabbat regulates time away from technology, resting brains and bodies. Charlie declared that Shabbat isn’t a luxury—it’s essential.
Four years before his death, Charlie began celebrating the Sabbath. The impetus was two-fold. Pastor David Englehart, on the Turning Point board, saw that Charlie was frazzled with his busy schedule and convinced him to take on this observance. His good friend, Dennis Prager, an influential Jewish thinker to whom Charlie dedicated this book, also convinced Charlie that observing Shabbat kept his sanity.
A busy Jewish attorney and mother, told me, “It’s a beautiful practice with meaningful observances. In our busy always-on world, it is nice to be able to unplug and be present, regardless of one’s faith.” Jews who observe the Sabbath share meals, prayers and important time with family, friends and community. Sharing this time with others lessens feelings of isolation and loneliness. .
For Charlie and his wife, Erika, observing the Sabbath became necessary for a balanced, healthy and meaningful life. The traditional greeting, Shabbat Shalom, שבת שלום, shares a hope for peace, wholeness and worth in our fractured world.
Shabbat Shalom, Charlie.
Chicken is often served on Shabbat. And this Middle Eastern spiced version is sure to please anyone sharing the table, without cell phones or devices!
