By Rabbi Eli Friedman
Sometimes, life throws you a stop sign.
You’re moving, it’s all “Go, go, go!” and then—STOP.
Why does Hashem do this to us?
Why must we stop working on Shabbat? Why do the holidays— Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Shmini Atzeret, and Simchat Torah—bring nearly a month of pauses? Why must we sleep when we can accomplish more? And why do healthy, hardworking people sometimes face challenges that slow them down for months or years?
What does Hashem gain by stopping us when we could be making progress?
Here are some clues.
Clue #1: He does it to Himself, too. The first six days of creation were the most productive in history. From nothing, Hashem created a magnificent, unfathomable universe. One might expect Him to keep going. Instead, He stopped. It was Shabbat.
Clue #2: He reminds us to stop three times daily. During the Amidah, we stand with our feet together, remaining still. Morning, afternoon, and evening, we receive the same message: Sometimes, we must simply stand in place.
There are times when we must move, move, move—and equally important times when we must stop.
There is a journey, and there are destinations. When you reach your destination, you must stop. Otherwise, you risk running past the very place the journey was meant to take you.
Hashem guides our footsteps, like mission control directing astronauts toward a vital destination. We may strain at the reins, eager to gallop onward, but Hashem knows where our greatest achievements await us. Sometimes, He slows us down because we have arrived.
When that stop order comes, our most meaningful moments may await us right here, right now. Rather than fighting the delay, we must uncover the treasures beneath our motionless feet.
Whether it’s Shabbat, the holidays, a need for rest, or a life event that brings everything to a standstill, remember: There is meaning in the interruption. Perhaps you aren’t moving forward because you’ve reached an important destination. Even Hashem stopped at Shabbat. If He can pause and rest, surely, we can, too.
When it’s time to stop, cherish those hours. Don’t keep checking your watch, waiting to run again. Relax and dig for the treasure where you stand.
Think about your life, your family, and your bond with Hashem. Reflect on your past and dream about your future. Use this stillness to shape your attitude for the year ahead.
When life cruises—Baruch Hashem. When life crawls—Baruch Hashem. And when everything stands still— Baruch Hashem.
Every “go” comes from Hashem, and every “stop” does, too. When He says go, go with all your might. When He says stop, stop with all your heart. Trust that something special awaits you here, right now.
We may love the race and its drama, but we must also appreciate the silence, balancing our need for speed with the wisdom of slowing down.
Run, walk, or stand—it can always be a moving experience.