Utility Crisis Is Perfect Time for a ‘Watt Shabbat’

One of Judaism’s greatest gifts to humanity is the concept of the Sabbath (Shabbat in Hebrew), when humans and their animals were commanded to cease working in imitation of God’s doing so after the six days of creation. A modified version of the practice could play a role both in easing the energy crisis and improving the quality of our lives.

The idea is for families and individuals to declare a “Watt Shabbat” for at least four hours on a Saturday, Sunday or other convenient time, when all manner of electrical appliances--TVs, radios, computers, Gameboys, CD players, microwaves, phones, even lights when feasible--are off-limits.

Obviously, individuals and families would adjust this modest proposal to suit their individual situations, for it’s the spirit and not electron legalism that counts.

Orthodox Jews already proscribe the use of electrical appliances on Shabbat. This is done as a rabbinical extension of the biblical ordinance not to light a fire on the Sabbath (Exodus 35:3). Other Jews and Christians have hallowed their respective Sabbaths in various ways over the centuries, especially by refraining from workaday activities and attending worship services. In many Muslim countries, Friday morning functions somewhat like a Sabbath, as Muslim faithful refrain from work in preparation for noon prayers in the masjid (mosque).

In Buddhist societies, every full moon is observed as a holiday when work ceases and the faithful visit their local temple to imitate the practices of Buddhist monks. Lesser holidays coincide with the coming of the new moon and the two quarter moons--48 “Sabbaths” in a lunar year.

So there is religious precedent for avoiding some mundane activities on the Sabbath, and these insights from the world’s religions can provide spiritual impetus for a conservation mind-set.

There are also profoundly humanistic reasons for rest, recreation and quiet reflection one day a week.

Practitioners of the Watt Shabbat would help conserve energy, make a small dent in global warming and save money. They would also become more aware of the urgent practical need for conservation during the remainder of the week.

Because the energy crisis probably will be with us for the next few years, long-term conservation measures are vital. We also would do well to reflect that the United States, with just under 5% of the world’s population, uses almost 27% of its energy. This is especially important to remember when we urge other nations to preserve rain forests, safeguard endangered species and cut air pollution.

The benefits of the Watt Shabbat to families and individuals are equally important. Husband and wife, partner and partner, parent and child, friend and friend might actually find the time free of electronic temptations to start communicating on a more regular basis.

Marriage counselors have long insisted that regular, in-depth conversation is indispensable to a healthy marriage. The same is true of the need for communication between parent and child to foster a healthy family.

Children might do more reading rather than watching so much television or playing so many addictive computer games. They might discard virtual computer sports for an actual game of catch, pickup basketball or in-line skating. There is, after all, no such thing as virtual fat, and the number of overweight children in the U.S. is increasing at an alarming rate.

Professionals might begin to realize that it isn’t really necessary to check office e-mail on weekends. In his recent book “God’s Name in Vain,” Stephen L. Carter sardonically remarks, “We are told in Genesis that God rested on the seventh day, but our work is evidently much more important than his.” Perhaps the sleep-deprived workers among us might even consider taking a nap during the Shabbat.

I’ve been trying to practice what I am proposing for the past couple of weeks. Yes, it takes some planning--of meals and activities, for example--and I haven’t achieved complete success yet. But it is doable, and the feeling of empowerment and of relative freedom from the electron is a good one.