Shabbat of a Lifetime

Last evening, June 15 
When the brochure suggested "Shabbat of a Lifetime" little did we know that the event would live up to the hype! It was a wonderful evening.

Our guide and host, Nathaniel (Nati) met us at the Joffa Gate and walked us through the narrow lanes of the Old City of Jerusalem to the site of the Small Kotel (Western Wall). Here we caught a glimpse of the meaning of Jerusalem as a city of  Peace as Nati unfolded tales from Judaism's rabbinic past to enlighten. We crossed a few more streets and alleys and through Security to the Western Wall where the Sabbath was about to begin. Religious Jews of multiple varieties arrived in droves to gather to welcome in Queen Sabbath as the sun set. We learned of the Chasidim, Modern Orthodox, Latvian, Sephardi, Ashkenazim, and a vast assortment of different forms of Judaism distinguishable by their dress and practices. We watched the Yeshiva Students dance and sing and saw Abba Abba, the multimillionaire philanthropist of the young recruits of the Israel Defense Forces who feeds 150 each Shabbat in his home. 

We boarded the bus (our host walked as not to violate the Sabbath) and we headed for his home where we were met by Michelle, Nati's wife. With her little children in tow, we entered their home and sat at tables set for all 37 of us, their family, and several friends. We moved through the prayers and multiple courses of food and drink of the Orthodox  Sabbath observance, singing along at some points, hearing the lovely voice of our host intone other prayers, including a moving recital of Proverbs 31 in Hebrew to his 8-month expectant wife and mother of 2 who prepared not only our food, but also that for another 120 guests in other homes!

We shared food, drink, song, prayer, and all the elements of an observant modern Orthodox Jewish family's Sabbath. We laughed and heard tales, and shared our own trip highlights. Our American cum Israeli hosts made it a night we will never forget-- neither the knowledge, insight, food, or happiness. It was a Shabbat Shalom.