* Translated by Janine Muller Sherr
I had the opportunity of spending Shabbat in Jerusalem with 100 Israelis, most of whom were observing Shabbat for the first time. The organization *"Kesher Yehudi"* has been pairing Charedi and Secular Israelis for Torah study for many years now, but recently there has been an increasing demand for them to arrange Shabbatot for those who would like to experience Shabbat.
Here are some comments I heard over the course of this special Shabbat of unity and holiness, a Shabbat filled with hugs, tears, song, and deep conversations.
- Irit* said: "For the first hour of Shabbat I kept looking for my cell phone and panicking that it wasn't on me. Then I remembered that it was shut off. But after such a magical twenty-four hour period, I enjoyed being unplugged from my phone so much that I didn't want it to end. I just didn't feel like turning it on again."
- Zion told us on Shabbat morning that he couldn't fall asleep Friday night. He said: "This was the first time that I experienced a Kabbalat Shabbat, a Shabbat meal, and lectures and discussions, one after the other. After so many hours of holiness, I felt like my soul was lit up and that I had reached such spiritual heights that I couldn't fall asleep." Shabbat-observant participants had to admit that they were envious of him. I felt the same way myself.
- Rabbanit Tzili Schneider, founder and CEO of Kesher Yehudi, told me after Shabbat that this longing for Shabbat has become a widespread phenomenon. The Jewish people are returning to their roots and to Shabbat observance. She offered a practical tip for Jews today: "Don't regret what you haven't done in the past. Be satisfied with what you are doing now. Commit yourself to making progress gradually, with guidance from others who will accompany you on your journey. The main thing is to rejoice over every small step you take and every element of Shabbat that you incorporate into your life."
She explained that even those who already observe Shabbat should always be trying to enhance and deepen their Shabbat experience. She encourage all of us to ask ourselves: How can I add more Shabbat to my life?
Shavua tov, and in just another six days - Shabbat Shalom!
