Although the rest that constitutes Sabbath is actually intended to be a respite from the thirty-nine categories of prohibited activities, my family takes advantage of the day’s quiet, too. Among bouts of praying and of hosting guests for festive meals, we relax.My children understand such unwinding as consisting of roaming our neighborhood, wandering around the rooms of our home or exploring the chambers of their friends’ residences. My husband actualizes his break from the ordinary by investing in learning time and in sleeping time. As for me, I try dutifully to retire on schedule Friday nights, and to stay awake until the hour of my study session Saturday afternoons. My peace is drawn from naps on the sofa. During the hours after our last evening guests leave, as well as during the hours between Sabbath lunch and my afternoon class, I doze.There remains something remarkable about being able to flatten myself on the couch, the one directly under our window which overlooks Jerusalem, rather than having to expend energy to trudge to a proper bed. Perhaps on Friday nights I am compelled by the Holy City’s twinkling lights. Perhaps on Saturday afternoons I am inspired by the lavish paintings with which G-d colors Jerusalem’s sky. Perhaps at any hour I am eased by the personal heightening concomitant to the day. Regardless, on Sabbath, I embrace our settee.There are at least three reasons why I allow myself weekly to experience such ease. First, "The Boss" told us that holy Sabbath is both good and necessary. Second, ritualized behavior helps me separate spiritual from mundane goings on. Third, I need the resultant nurturing.While the Jewish people always partner with Ha Kodesh Baruch Hu, our marriage is most pronounced on Sabbath. During the Day of Rest, we reach for Hashem by pausing from commonplace activities. Calming ourselves enables us to renew our alliance with our Our Father.Accordingly, when I cling to our livingroom divan, I telegraph that we Jews need to pay attention to and to live by G-d’s teachings. Six days a week I am a frenetic adult. On Sabbath, in contrast by slowing down, I demonstrate my heed of the commandments.