Welcoming the Sabbath

Our first day in Israel began on a Friday evening, the beginning of the traditional Jewish Shabbat (Sabbath, which begins on Friday evening and continues until sundown on Saturday).  And now, our last two days here have been a Sabbath (Saturday) and a Sunday.  Tomorrow is a travel day.  I like the symmetry of that.

In the traditional Jewish home, the Sabbath is welcomed with a ceremony called the Kiddush, from the word which means to sanctify or make holy – from Genesis, “Remember the Sabbath, and keep it holy.”  The ceremony begins with a short reading from Genesis which is followed by a prayer of thanksgiving to God for giving us the Sabbath.  In addition to that, four more things happen:

1.      Lighting of the two Sabbath candles, with a prayer of thanksgiving;

2.      Lifting a cup of wine, with a prayer of thanksgiving;

3.      Washing of the hands, with a prayer of thanksgiving;

4.      Breaking and sharing of the bread, again with a prayer of thanksgiving.

For this week’s Erev Shabbat I learned part of the traditional Jewish Kiddush in Hebrew.  Dina came over and joined us for a simple meal and celebration.  I already knew part of the Kiddush, and studied up a little more so that I would know the essentials.  Dina and Linda were patient with my use of the Hebrew language which I haven’t studied a lot since seminary, and we had a marvelous time, gathered in the presence of God to give thanks for God’s mercy and grace and to welcome the Sabbath.  Here are the prayers over the bread and wine:

 “Baruch atah adonai elohenu melech ha-olam,”

(Blessed art thou, O Lord our God, King of the Universe)

“Borei p’riy ha-gafen”

(Who creates the fruit of the vine)

“Baruch atah adonai elohenu melech ha-olam,”

(Blessed art thou, O Lord our God, King of the Universe)

“ha-motsi lechem min ha-aretz”

(Who brings forth bread from the Earth).

Now today was Sunday and we went to worship with the Franciscans at the St. John of the Desert Monastery on whose property we are living.  Our new friends Johan and Barbara were there, along with Dina.  It was good to worship nearby with our “host church” before we left.  After worship Barbara and Johan invited us over to their house for coffee.  It was a fun and relaxing time of fellowship and hospitality which also gave us the chance to say Adieu for now.  We got to meet their beautiful Rhodesian Ridgeback dogs and to hear Johan engage in conversation with nesting doves nearby.  The dog seemed to be quite entertained by Johan’s talent as well.

Now we are packed up and are profoundly thankful for the many blessings of our journey.  Before we left the States, a good friend hoped this for our trip, that it would be “renewing, amazing, restful and full of unexpected blessing.”  It has been that and more.  I’ve even lost a little weight!  The secret: a simple diet and lots of exercise.  Go figure.  I hope I can take that habit home to the States with me!

Shalom