Creating a space for the sacred in a secular world: Shabbat dinners as a vehicle for collective effervescence, social connection, and meaning

Abstract

Scholars have long argued that religious rituals are essential for maintaining society, bringing meaning to life and increasing connections via the collective effervescence that they engender. A world in which fewer people attend religious services does not mean that people no longer benefit from the important outcomes associated with religious rituals. The current research examined whether people experience collective effervescence and positive outcomes in home-based rituals—specifically, Shabbat dinners facilitated by a Jewish organization that provides resources for home-based Shabbat dinners. Survey data was collected on almost 1000 attendees of the Shabbat dinners. The results suggest that (a) Shabbat dinners include both components of collective effervescence (a sensation of sacredness and connection to others); (b) “transcendence” collective effervescence was related to religiosity and meaningfulness, whereas “connectedness”collective effervescence was related to belonging and satisfaction; and (c) using instructional resources predicted increased meaning via religiosity and increased satisfaction via belonging. The authors conclude that home-based rituals can provide valuable outcomes in a world in which people are less likely to attend religious services.