Residential Shabbat

I spent my first Shabbat in Jerusalem as a resident this week. I thought it would be terrible because most of my friends left the city for Shabbat. Some parts were better than others but for the most part. It turned out great.

I worked with Taglit on Friday morning. I finished about 2pm so after I got home and took a shower and a nap (the nap was a necessity), there wasn’t a lot of time to go shopping for Shabbat. That being said, I had no food for Shabbat. That part sucked. I decided to go to the Kotel for the beginning of Shabbat and hoped that someone would invite me for Kiddush. I got dressed in a modest outfit, a white skirt, black quarter-length sweater and flats. I walked 20 minutes to the Kotel and enjoyed a bit of prayer by the wall.

I prayed for two of my family members who were diagnosed with skin cancer in the last week and said Amidah. Afterward I just walked around, smiled and enjoyed the view. I hoped someone would strike up a conversation with me but no. Literally… NO ONE talked to me. So at about 10pm I walked home without an invite and no dinner. It was sad.

I woke up the next morning at 8am (I slept in) and decided to clean the apartment a bit and then go to the park (Gan Saker). I made it to the park at about noon. I worked out for about an hour, then changed into more modest clothes, as I was planning on walking down to the Kotel again. Instead, I got invited to a picnic with a bunch of Americans that was happening right next to my workout spot.

It was a lovely picnic and I met some really nice people. I also got the 411 on all of the local happenings. In the evening I got home, took a shower, and went to bed early. It was a really nice Shabbat. Even if it didn’t go quite as planned. It reminded me of why I started keeping Shabbat in the first place. It was peaceful, just the way it should be.

Next week… I think another picnic Saturday morning would make a great idea.