The Dude Testament

21. Shomer Shabbos!

As we’ve pointed out, the Dude generally values rest above activity. Walter, as an observant convert to Judaism, also believes in the sanctity of rest—the Jews, after all, invented the Sabbath. But how enjoyable and salutary can rest be when it’s forced and only comes once a week? Rest is restorative; it’s a drug that keeps our bodies and minds limber. Like physical medicine, if it’s administered at the wrong time, it can’t effectively treat the disease of dis-ease.

As opposed to Shomer Shabbos, Duder Shabbos is practiced far more regularly. At least once a day, if not more, a true follower of the Dude will set aside time to say “Fuck it” and do fuck all. Whether that entails meditating on the rug, or hanging out in the bath listening to whale sounds, or just enjoying the occasional acid flashback, it is imperative that we find time to fill with emptiness. It is at our own peril that we fail to recognize our need for nothing.

As if putting his super Duder power to the test once again, the Dude doesn’t take long to get the stress to stop talking. Shut the fuck up, stressy! It is in the very next scene that we find him relaxing in the bath with a meditation tape of whale sounds playing in the background and melting candles flickering about the rim of the tub. He languidly finishes off a flaming roach of soothing dope.

The universe seems to reward him in his efforts to cool down by sending a message through his answering machine—his stolen car has been recovered! “Far out,” the Dude coos, until a crashing noise from the other room indicates that a whole new goon squad has broken in unwelcomed to his pad.