Keeping Shabbat

Dear all, Thursday 10th was a day mostly of lectures, so not a lot to report there, however we did learn a lot about Shabbat, in order to prepare us for our trip to the synagogue on Friday evening. I was quite excited really, as I have always wanted to see what happens in a synagogue and have never had the chance...Hearing about the purpose of Shabbat though had a big impact on me. It seems that Shabbat is for the Jewish people what Sunday used to be for the Christians: a day of rest. The list of approved and forbidden work is not apparently as important as the reason for the work: ie if something is necessary, life-saving etc then it is approved, but if it takes you away from a day of reflection, rest and thankfulness, then it isn't. An over simplification, but sort of on the right path. Shabbat provides a day where you don't do any emails, work for your job or handle money. You DO spend time in prayer, with your family and basically chilling out...so I am all in favour.

The synagogue we visited was a Reform synagogue, meaning quite progressive and not officially recognised by the ultra-orthodox community. The Rabbi there visits Taize every year on his holidays, and has put the jewish prayers (many of them) to Taize tunes..It was a fantastic event. The room was full of families, and people who so obviously knew each other and cared for each other. I have found out since that they also had three or four separate groups of people visiting that night, and we were all made very welcome.

The prayer book was in Hebrew and also in English, so that we could follow along and sing to our hearts content. It was fabulous. The community all sat and sang, except for one particular moment when they get up to welcome in the Sabbath, and they turn and face the door of the synagogue and bow. Quite beautiful.