Sabbatical

Sabbatical or a sabbatical (from Latin: sabbaticus, from Greek: sabbatikos (σαββατικός), from Hebrew: shabbat (שבת) (i.e., Sabbath), literally a "ceasing") is a rest from work, or a break, often lasting from two months to a year. The concept of sabbatical has a source in shmita, described in several places in the Bible. For example, in Leviticus 25, there is a commandment to desist from working the fields during the seventh year. Strictly speaking, this means a sabbatical would last one year.

History

The main Bible passage for sabbatical concepts is Genesis 2:2-3, in which God rested (literally, "ceased" from his labour) after creating the universe, and it is applied to people (Jew and Gentile, slave and free) and even to beasts of burden in one of the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:8-11, reaffirmed in Deuteronomy 5:12-15). All agriculture was stopped during these periods, so even the land itself was given a Sabbath.

In recent times, "sabbatical" has come to mean any extended absence in the career of an individual in order to achieve something. In the modern sense, one takes sabbatical typically to fulfill some goal, e.g., writing a book or travelling extensively for research. Some universities and other institutional employers of scientists, physicians, and academics offer the opportunity to qualify for paid sabbatical as an employee benefit, called sabbatical leave. Some companies offer unpaid sabbatical for people wanting to take career breaks; this is a growing trend in the United Kingdom, with 20% of companies having a career break policy, and a further 10% considering introducing one.

Scott Woods

Scott Woods (born January 25, 1971) is an American author and poet from Columbus, Ohio.

Woods is the former president of Poetry Slam Inc. and co-founded the poetry series, Writers Block. He authors a monthly Internet column and has published several books. He is employed at the Columbus Metropolitan Library. Since 2006 Woods has conducted an annual, 24-hour, solo poetry reading. In 2013 he published the book We Over Here Now on Brick Cave Books. His work appeared on National Public Radio (NPR) in 2003 and 2005. He was profiled in the 2006 edition of the book: Contemporary Black Biography: Profiles from the International Black Community.

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