How do we find balance in a world that never stops? My episode on the Torah with Rabbi Miriam Berger touches on Shabbat as a time to stop and reflect, while this article explores how it can be a tool for digital detox.
The Need for Rest: A Timeless Concept
Over 3,000 years ago, the Torah introduced a revolutionary idea: a full day of rest, uninterrupted by work or worldly concerns. The commandment to observe Shabbat (Exodus 20:8-11) was more than a religious obligation, it declared that rest is sacred, and that life’s purpose extends beyond productivity.
Today, as digital demands blur work-life boundaries, Shabbat feels more relevant than ever. While hustle culture dominates, research shows true productivity stems from intentional rest. A 2025 study in Computers in Human Behaviour found that digital detox interventions significantly reduce smartphone addiction and improve well-being. Could this ancient tradition be the missing key to modern self-care?
The Torah’s Blueprint for Boundaries
The Torah describes Shabbat as a time to pause and savour life. But rest isn’t just physical, it’s stepping away from distractions and being present. “Shabbat is a mitzvah that is commanded to us,” says Chaya Kozlovsky, Co-director, Chabad of Mumbai. “We keep it because when Hashem, God, created the world, He created it in six days and on the seventh day, He rested.”
Rabbi Miriam Berger adds, “Shabbat was the digital detox before we had anything digital. You were forced into stopping, creating, and being able to say: I need to recharge sometimes.”
Beyond religious circles, the concept of a tech-free day is gaining traction. Digital detox retreats and mindfulness movements highlight what psychology confirms, structured breaks improve mental well-being. A recent study found that a two-week digital detox enhances sustained attention and reverses years of cognitive decline.
Mental Health and the Power of Ritual Rest
Structured rest, like Shabbat, reduces stress, boosts focus, and enhances emotional resilience. Neuroscientists argue that our brains need downtime to process information and restore creativity.
“There are plenty of stories of people whose mental health or relationships improved when they took one day a week, 24 hours, to completely detox from digital devices,” says Kozlovsky. “No laptops, no phones, just reconnecting with the people that matter.”
The Shabbat table, filled with conversation instead of scrolling, fosters deeper connections. Modern therapy techniques mirror this, advocating for mindfulness as an antidote to burnout.
“Each festival or each moment aids that. Shabbat, the Sabbath, comes around every week and really is the ultimate kind of time to stop and reflect,” says Berger. “You were forced into that kind of stopping, creating, stopping doing and being able to say, ‘I need to recharge sometimes, I can’t always be making it happen.’”
Shabbat’s Relevance in a Digital Age
Shabbat’s principles, limiting work, unplugging, and prioritizing relationships, mirror today’s wellness trends. “The rest we do on Shabbat isn’t about inactivity,” says Kozlovsky. “We still pray, gather for meals, and connect, but we step away from material distractions that pull us away from ourselves and loved ones.”
This isn’t about rejecting technology but using it intentionally. Shabbat provides a structured pause, prompting us to ask: What truly matters? In a society that glorifies busyness, perhaps the most radical act of self-care is simply to stop.
A Weekly Reset for the Mind, Body, and Soul
Shabbat teaches a powerful lesson: we are not defined by productivity. Rest is not a luxury but a necessity for a balanced life.
As tech-free movements grow and burnout rates rise, Shabbat’s relevance becomes clearer. Whether one observes it religiously or adopts its principles, the message remains, sometimes, the best thing we can do is unplug, rest, and be present.
A Practice Rooted in Ancient Wisdom, More Relevant Than Ever
How often do we pause to reflect on what truly matters? The Torah’s wisdom reminds us that real productivity isn’t constant output but knowing when to pause. Shabbat isn’t a restriction it’s a freedom. A chance to reclaim ourselves from the digital world, nurture relationships, and find clarity in stillness.
Perhaps, by embracing this weekly pause, we not only reconnect with tradition but also rediscover the balance we’ve been searching for all along.
