I have the privilege of being part of a WhatsApp group with people who are just beginning to observe Shabbat. The questions there are numerous and moving. How do you prepare, what's permitted and what's forbidden, what tips and advice does everyone have, and this week - most of the questions there revolve around one topic: In Israel, this is the first Shabbat since we changed the clock (daylight savings).
So I had planned to write here about this week's Torah portion, Parashat Lech Lecha, but in light of all the questions and preparations, perhaps before everything else it's important to simply say: In Israel and throughout the world, pay attention in advance to when Shabbat begins and also ends. In Israel this week, Shabbat starts at around four o'clock. It's an especially short Friday, candle lighting is very early compared to last week, and first of all, you need to remember this practically speaking.
Then, wherever you are in the world, you also need to organize in advance and prepare, in order to welcome Shabbat calmly and without stress. To prepare the home and the food, and also the soul and the family, for the day that is not the "weekend" but rather the heart of the week.
Shabbat is approaching, so we'll keep it short... (: Think about who else needs this reminder. Shabbat Shalom!
