'Carmageddon' is a Time to Slow Down

The 405 Freeway is closing. Unlike the toll ways in other states, this freeway is "free."

The 405 is like an artery within Los Angeles, a lifeline that unites West Los Angeles and communities below it with the San Fernando Valley and communities above it.  And there are all the other communities east and west that are connected by the 405.

Observe that local governments, companies both large and small, hospitals, educational institutions and many people are planning all sorts of contingencies because of the "impossible road conditions" predicted. Many people have canceled their plans to visit to Los Angeles, even for real important events like family weddings, because of the "chaos" everyone is expecting.

About a quarter of a century ago, the Olympics came to Los Angeles. There were widespread predictions of doom and gloom. We would have runaway crime and traffic gridlock. In fact, that two or three week period in the summer of 1984 was euphoric and quiet for Los Angeles. Crime dropped precipitously, and traffic problems disappeared.

In keeping with the theme "there is a lesson in everything" the 405 closure, especially because of its broad impact, must have a message that we can all appreciate.

For starters, I consider myself among the "lucky ones” who is somewhat in another world, of sorts. I'm talking about the one day a week— the Sabbath—that I get to completely detach myself from corporal worries.

Beginning at sundown on Fridays, the Sabbath is welcomed in by the woman of the household with the lighting of candles and it culminates, until Saturdays after dark. During this time there is a complete shift from our daily lifestyles.

In my youth, I was taught how on this day, my focus is to be on the very first question asked to Adam in the Garden of Eden, “Where are you?”—Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi (1745-1812), the first Chabad. Rebbe explained that this is a perpetual question asked to all of mankind: Where are you? Do you know why you have been put on this world? Are you aware of the gifts that you have been given? Are you aware of the important role you were given in making this world a beautiful garden?

The Sabbath is the day when we address the big question: Who I am as a person? This is no easy task. That is because often when we meet someone, we ask, "What do you do?"  We mistakenly define people by their profession or occupation.

In a world where family time often means a family together at one table while texting someone on the outside,  many people cannot even imagine being able to shut down everything—the cell phone, the computer, all the tech stuff—for 25 hours, but that's what we do. Instead of the usual, we stay focused on family, meditation, prayer and study.

Some things are just too hard to describe. I remember my friends asking me how it felt when I first became a dad and all I could do was smile from ear to ear and feel joy in my heart. The Sabbath day is another phenomenon difficult to describe. This observance profoundly shapes the coming week into a reality defined uniquely beyond description.

Regardless of the multiple differences in our upbringing and philosophy, the 405 closure is handing us an opportunity that should be pursued. Many people have planned to stay put and not go to work. To some, this is inconvenient, annoying and even a matter of great concern. But there is an incredible opportunity here. For those who don't get a chance to experience a stop in the seemingly unstoppable cycle of what has become their life, here is an opportunity to just "slow down."

We all benefit from slowing down the engines and spending time with what is really important; our family, meditation and just time off.

When I think about the Shabbat frame of mind, I am reminded of an art piece I saw displayed at a home here in Malibu:  “Good Morning, This Is G-d!: I will be handling all your problems today. I will not need your help, so have a good day. I love you!

As humans, we thrive most when we serve not only our mind but our spirit, as we pursue both knowledge and purpose. The closure of the 405 provides us with the opportunity to shift our attention from the mundane, so we can focus on higher thinking. For Jewish people this is what the observance of Sabbath about, but the lessons and beauty from “Sabbath thinking” are universal.