Wherever you are in the world, Shabbat is a way to stay connected with your religion and keep yourself balanced amongst the stresses of the working week. This is especially true in Israel, where locals and tourists alike come together to honour Shabbat with weekends filled with good food, friends, family and worship.
In fact, for anyone involved in the Jewish faith, Israel should certainly be on the bucket list of one of the places you have to visit. Not only is it a perfect opportunity to connect with your religion, but it is also a unique culture with plenty of places and events that are unlike anything in the world.
If you are visiting, or are planning to visit Israel in the future, then here are three things you need to experience to make the most out of your time there.
Visit The Western Wall In The Old City Of Jerusalem
The western wall (also known as the Kotel) is one of the most religious sites in the world for Jewish people. With thousands of tourists visiting every year, the wall is used to house and listen to prayers, with people either reciting their prayers or placing written notes into the cracks.
Built in 20 BCE, during the construction of the second temple, the wall has survived and stood for hundreds of years. Even when the Romans destroyed the temple in 70 CE, the support wall still stood, with a further two levels discovered below the ground in 1967. Today, it is a must see for anyone visiting Israel, with a number of gatherings taking place during the Shabbat to honour the religion and mark the beginning of the holiday.
Try An Authentic Shabbat Meal
Of course, one of the most important things about Shabbat are the meals which are prepared on Friday evening, Saturday lunchtime and late Saturday afternoon. If you have any connections, then it is always polite to accept dinner invitations, especially as you will get to see the tradition of Shabbat dinners first hand, including the lighting of the candles, the blessings over the red wine and the beautiful treat that is challah bread.
If you do not have any connections in Israel, then do not fear. Despite most businesses being closed, there are still restaurants and diners in Tel Aviv that remain open, all of which will be offering Shabbat meals to guests. In fact, during Shabbat, most restaurants and shopping centres remain open in the city, which make it an ideal spot for anyone looking to eat Shabbat meals or pick up beautiful Israeli Judaica gifts for their friends and family back home.
Relax On The Beach And Soak In The Atmosphere
Located on the Mediterranean coast, the beaches in Israel are the perfect, scenic spots to sit back and unwind. During Shabbat, many locals will gather at the beaches for sunbathing, surfing, or even Matkot, which is an Israeli version of beach ping pong.
If you are spending time during the day exploring the city, then finishing it off at the beach, where you can watch the blissful red sunset and soak in the lively atmosphere, will be one of the best and most memorable activities you do during your trip. Not to mention, they are some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. By the time Shabbat is over and the trip to Israel is done, you will find yourself dreaming of the sunsets and the sand, wishing you could spend Shabbat there all over again.
