Shabbat

I don't quite know how to put it but in Israel, Shabbat is a thing.  If you're not living in a large city with lots of observant Jews or if you haven't been exposed to that community, it might not make sense.  But Shabbat isn't just sundown Friday to sundown Saturday.  Shabbat is a state of mind.  It's preparation.  It's making dinner.  It's doing lots to spend 24 hours in contemplation.

Most of you know me (Josh) pretty well and know that this isn't really me.  I'm happy to take some time to slow down and relax, but I don't do well with unstructured time.  I need things to do.  Shabbat here is going to test me and make me slow down.

How?  Well, everything is closed, starting around 3pm on Fridays.  And nothing reopens until sundown on Saturday or on Sunday.  It's just the way of things.  You have to plan in advance to make sure that you have food for dinner on Friday and all day Saturday.  If you wait until 2pm on Friday -- as I discovered today -- most of the stores have mostly empty shelves.  I was going to make oven roasted chicken and cous cous today only to discover that both stores I visited had chicken breasts only.  So plan B developed quickly -- sea bream for Jan and me; four cheese tortellini for the girls.  And bravo to Gabi for tasting the fish and asking for more.

(photo credit: Helen Levy)

I do have to say, the best part of the shopping experience today was seeing fresh challah everywhere.  Can't wait to try more of them each week.

שבת שלום to everyone.  May you all have a relaxing weekend.