Trip to Isreal Days 6 and 7
Nov. 7th, 2011 12:24 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ahkaShabbat, Days 6 and 7
On Friday we were preparing for Shabbat. In the morning we had a lecture about power of candle lighting and women’s prayers. Then we made CHalah bread and learned cool ways to braid it. During the process we prayed all together for people who need health or something that a miracle is needed for. The power of 150+ women praying is a huge power. I hope it will help my friend beat cancer and another friend to finally have a baby.
Here are several clips of the Chalah baking tricks:
After that we were let go to the market -- Shuk. Market was fun and I got a lot of presents such as beautiful scarves, necklace, chocolate, bracelets, and soccer jersey for Mishka, and yummy spices.
Then we run to the hotel to change and get back to the old city into the Aish building for Shabbat. With all of the walking, my feet were burning.
After the candle lighting, we all went to the Kotel (Western Wall). It was truly amazing experience! I can’t even describe my emotions about what was going on there on Shabbat evening! There were a lot of people dancing and singing together. The atmosphere was magical! The whole Jerusalem was celebrating. Everyone was dressed up beautifully, yet modestly, we were dancing and singing with tourists from other countries, with the girl soldiers, with our group and many many other people who wanted to join us. The songs sounded so beautiful, I had tears in my eyes most of the time and wished that I could understand the meaning of the songs.
Ira and I left our group for some time to get closer to the Kotel again. It was the third amazing experience at the Wall!
After dancing and singing, we went back to the Aish building and had an amazing Shabbat meal with Rabbi explaining the details about Shabbat celebration and food. The food was delicious and the room was beautifully decorated for us. I was in heaven!!!
After we finished with dinner, we went back to the hotel. I decided to keep kosher Shabbat, without work such as turning the lights on/off, tearing off toilet paper, and not doing many other things that we were told people should not be doing on the day of rest. It was very special for me because it was my first ever real and 100% authentic Shabbat in Jerusalem next to the Kotel!!! I know that when I get back home, it may not happen for a long long time. The only thing that was hard for me to stay away was not to write in my journal. I couldn’t fall asleep because I had so much on my mind and I couldn’t write it down.
Next morning we had more interesting lectures and we headed back to the old city. This time we were invited over Aba and Pamela Claman’s house where they had Israeli soldiers spend Shabbat with them. Their house in the old city fit over 200 people for this party. Their home is very beautiful!!! From their roof top we could see the Temple Mount. They had an interesting program for us. We spoke with the soldiers, and we ended the Shabbat with Havdalah. It was absolutely beautiful and touching again. I was amazed at Pamela’s hospitality, she made sure that all 200 guests got a piece spice to smell as part of the process.
After Shabbat was over, all stores opened and city got totally different energy. We went shopping again…
As most of the nights, we got to the hotel around midnight. We were tired but happy.
Read about Day 8
On Friday we were preparing for Shabbat. In the morning we had a lecture about power of candle lighting and women’s prayers. Then we made CHalah bread and learned cool ways to braid it. During the process we prayed all together for people who need health or something that a miracle is needed for. The power of 150+ women praying is a huge power. I hope it will help my friend beat cancer and another friend to finally have a baby.
Here are several clips of the Chalah baking tricks:
After that we were let go to the market -- Shuk. Market was fun and I got a lot of presents such as beautiful scarves, necklace, chocolate, bracelets, and soccer jersey for Mishka, and yummy spices.
Then we run to the hotel to change and get back to the old city into the Aish building for Shabbat. With all of the walking, my feet were burning.
After the candle lighting, we all went to the Kotel (Western Wall). It was truly amazing experience! I can’t even describe my emotions about what was going on there on Shabbat evening! There were a lot of people dancing and singing together. The atmosphere was magical! The whole Jerusalem was celebrating. Everyone was dressed up beautifully, yet modestly, we were dancing and singing with tourists from other countries, with the girl soldiers, with our group and many many other people who wanted to join us. The songs sounded so beautiful, I had tears in my eyes most of the time and wished that I could understand the meaning of the songs.
Ira and I left our group for some time to get closer to the Kotel again. It was the third amazing experience at the Wall!
After dancing and singing, we went back to the Aish building and had an amazing Shabbat meal with Rabbi explaining the details about Shabbat celebration and food. The food was delicious and the room was beautifully decorated for us. I was in heaven!!!
After we finished with dinner, we went back to the hotel. I decided to keep kosher Shabbat, without work such as turning the lights on/off, tearing off toilet paper, and not doing many other things that we were told people should not be doing on the day of rest. It was very special for me because it was my first ever real and 100% authentic Shabbat in Jerusalem next to the Kotel!!! I know that when I get back home, it may not happen for a long long time. The only thing that was hard for me to stay away was not to write in my journal. I couldn’t fall asleep because I had so much on my mind and I couldn’t write it down.
Next morning we had more interesting lectures and we headed back to the old city. This time we were invited over Aba and Pamela Claman’s house where they had Israeli soldiers spend Shabbat with them. Their house in the old city fit over 200 people for this party. Their home is very beautiful!!! From their roof top we could see the Temple Mount. They had an interesting program for us. We spoke with the soldiers, and we ended the Shabbat with Havdalah. It was absolutely beautiful and touching again. I was amazed at Pamela’s hospitality, she made sure that all 200 guests got a piece spice to smell as part of the process.
After Shabbat was over, all stores opened and city got totally different energy. We went shopping again…
As most of the nights, we got to the hotel around midnight. We were tired but happy.
Read about Day 8
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2011-11-08 05:30 am (UTC)If you ever decide that you want to be more observant, feel free to ask me questions. I wasn't always religious, and I know how long it takes to build up knowledge and confidence in what you're doing. Just take baby steps, because every little thing counts even if you can't do 100% perfectly.
no subject
Date: 2011-11-08 06:36 pm (UTC)I am actually back from the trip. We stayed at the King Solomon.
I wrote while on the trip but didn't have internet access, so I am posting now, day by day.
Are your parents observant?
I gunner uppity bloodier wadding Independence.
Date: 2012-07-03 12:27 am (UTC)