We could not be experiencing Israel more authentic
We could not be experiencing Israel more authentically. We have enjoyed the pinnacle of each city we have been in. We went from a night celebrating our youth, energy, and 2016 in Tel Aviv to observing Shabbat in the cradle of holiness, Jerusalem. The word that comes to mind correctly or not is "Bashert" or destiny.
Consensus of the group on Friday indicated that many of us felt that Shabbat should be a day of self-reflection, necessary to people of any walk of life. That evening, a group of us discussed of we can truly rest on Shabbat if we have to go through the services and make all this extra effort not to work on Shabbat. How can we personally reflect and grow in we are spending time worrying about if we can use the light or not? What if my rest involves something defined as work? Can we logically make everyone rest on the same day and close down the entire city(as they do in Jerusalem)? Our closing conversation was the idea of an active rest. Our Taglit Shabbat embodied this idea.
We got to sleep in to 10:30, so already our day was starting out restful. We then ate some cake while sipping coffee we almost have figured out how to mix properly and tea. We then sat in the lobby entertaining each other with magic tricks, riddles, and card games. By the time lunch rolled around there were some unresolved brain teasers and promises of secrets to be later revealed.
After lunch we had an activity that I believes encompasses active rest. Divided into groups and discussed the importance of statements on Judaism. The rankings then were discussed among the wider group. It was a moment for us to personally reflect on how and to which parts of Judaism we connect. I personally believe that everyone can experience Judaism differently and that each of those experiences brings something special to our overall group.
Afterward Adam led us all in a meditation. We focused on connecting breath with body and thought and trying to literally encompass the world. If you could see the way Adam lights up when you mention meditation you'll understand why we spent 45 minutes trying to breathe in a being of light. We did Havdallah with another Birthright Israel group before heading out to dinner.
After returning from dinner we began a discussion for going to Yad Vashem and what word we thought about when we thought about the Holocaust. Throughout the day we spent time reflecting on ourselves and Judaism trying to embrace the pause, moment of rest that Shabbat is supposed to offer in the week. As it says in Genesis, after every day of creation God "saw that it was good". Buy on the last day that he was able to enjoy the whole beauty of the world.
