July 20: Sensational Shabbat in Safed (Alex Good)

July 20, 2013

Blog Author: Alex Good

A Shabbat in Israel can be spent and observed in many ways and places across the beautiful country. Spending Shabbat in Safed, one of the holiest cities in Israel and filled with some of the richest Jewish history and culture was an extremely enlightening, beautiful and meaningful experience.

Mount Meron, the burial place of the famous Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai along with the beautiful landscape of the Gallilee was the first thing I saw upon opening my eyes shabbat morning and looking out the window. Hard boiled eggs, fruits, vegetables and cakes were served for breakfast before we began a program regarding Jewish identity on a balcony that overlooked the streets of Safed. The group was divided up, given 20 cards with different aspects of Judaism and had to narrow the cards down based on what makes up ones Jewish life as well as what will allow Judaism to continue down the road. This activity provoked incredible discussion and allowed me to really understand what aspects of Judaism have kept it from not falling off the map and what must be done in order to continue Jewish life in the years to come. Shabbat lunch followed with cholent, shnitzel, fish, challah and hummus.

On Shabbat afternoon we took a walking tour of the streets of Safed learning the ideas of Hasidim and Kabbalah as we visited special landmarks and synagogues along the way. For example, we visited the famous Shuls of the Haari, Rabbi Abohav and Rabbi Yosef Karo. To conclude shabbat we conducted a beautiful havdallah ceremony where we learned how each of our five senses are used. Finally, we went to Rosh Pina for dinner before heading back to the hotel for an early morning wake-up. The Shabbat that we had in Safed was like something I have never experienced before. Smelling, feeling and hearing all the aspects of Shabbat was something that I will remember for each and every Shabbat to come.