Trusting in Hashem and Taking Time Off

The High Holy Days are stressful for many people because they have to take so much time off from work. If they work full-time, this means using up vacation days, and if they work for themselves, this means not making money for long stretches of time. 

Jews believe that the source of all our success comes from Hashem. We are supposed to work hard and put in our hishtadlut, our effort, but we are also not supposed to push ourselves so much that we have trouble fulfilling other mitzvot like learning Torah, observing Shabbat and taking care of our families and ourselves. We aren’t supposed to suffer when making a living. We are supposed to do as much as we can to the best of our ability and leave the rest up to Hashem. 

As someone who has been self-employed for most of my career, I find taking time off to be incredibly difficult. At those points in my life when I did work full-time, I felt uncomfortable requesting so many days off every fall. When I became more observant, I heard that it was a custom to take off for chol hamoed, the intermediate festive days during Sukkot, as well. I thought, “You’ve got to be kidding me.” 

However, now I have a different perspective on it, due to recent events that occurred in my life. 

This past summer was very challenging. My husband Daniel and I got robbed at the beginning of May, and that same day, I contracted strep throat and stayed in bed for 48 hours straight. The strep came back three times that month. 

A few weeks after the robbery, Daniel’s beloved grandmother died. Daniel went to Scotland with our oldest daughter to attend his grandmother’s funeral and spend time with his family. We booked a ticket for them to stay for a week. But while he was over there, he got an ear infection and couldn’t fly home … for five weeks. My youngest daughter and I were all alone during that time, and I missed my husband and oldest daughter like crazy.

July was spent catching up on everything we missed doing together, and it was also the Three Weeks. I didn’t listen to music or celebrate any special occasions. I reflected on the destruction of the Temples and had a challenging Tisha b’Av because I’m a terrible faster. 

By the time August rolled around, I was so burnt out that I pleaded to Daniel to go on a road trip with our kids and dogs. Still recovering from the ear infection, he was hesitant, but he agreed. 

I told everyone I worked with that I was going to be out of the office. I packed up our belongings and booked us a nice hotel. And when the Sunday we were supposed to leave finally arrived, the hurricane struck Los Angeles. Daniel wanted to cancel our trip, but I insisted that we go. We drove seven hours in the rain, but we made it.

For four glorious days, I switched out of work mode. I didn’t reply to my emails or write or edit anything. I relaxed with my family and felt the happiest I have in ages.

For four glorious days, I switched out of work mode. I didn’t reply to my emails or write or edit anything. I relaxed with my family and felt the happiest I have in ages. I also tried not to be anxious about work, praying that this time off would be restorative. 

When I got back into the office the day after our trip, my inbox was flooded with requests. I was busier than ever. I thanked Hashem for giving me the time off without losing any work. In fact, He sent more my way because I took care of myself. Taking time off during the holidays, or year-round, and putting your life into Hashem’s hands isn’t easy. But it’s exactly what He wants us to do. 

If this time of year is challenging, say to yourself, “Hashem knows what’s best for me. If I take time off, I’m trusting that it will work out better for me in the end.”

And I promise you: it will.

Do you have thoughts about taking time off from work? Email me! Kylieol@JewishJournal.com.

Kylie Ora Lobell is the Community Editor of the Jewish Journal.