Shabbat Reflection

2591 Words6 Pages

In almost every country of the world, Jewish communities are sadly getting reduced because of assimilation, being forced to close their synagogues to become museums, and losing their culture all together. Panama, thank God, is going in the opposite direction. According to Pew Research Center, a growing numbers of American Jews are secular, they are inter-marrying more, and the children are not being raised with Jewish education. Why is Panama the exception? Why is Panama one of the few growing communities? What makes us different? When Rabbi Sion Levy first arrived to Panama, he could not believe his eyes. He had left the security of the Jerusalem walls, his teachers and Rabbis, to come to a place where all he knew was an alien concept to …show more content…

Starting every Friday night, for 25 hours, Jews are forbidden ride cars, use electronic devices, use money, cook, and many other things. Those who do not observe Shabbat might think of it as a day filled with stringent restrictions, or as a day full of prayer like is the Christian Sabbath. But for those who do observe it, Shabbat is a precious gift from God, a day of bliss impatiently awaited throughout the week, a day when we can disconnect from our weekday worries and dedicate ourselves to more important things such as G-d and our families. Most Jewish families eat the Shabbat meal together. Imagine having Thanksgiving, with all the delicious meals and spending quality time with your close relatives, but instead of once a year, you get to do it every week! Shabbat is a time to connect with the family and G-d, a day of rest and peace. I wish i could explain the magical feeling there is at a Shabbat table. Everybody singing Hebrew songs, the smell of the delicious food on the table, and the sensation of relief, freedom from your everyday tasks, all this while surrounded by those you love most. that is something that cannot be topped. I have yet to experience something as satisfying as a Shabbat dinner. Here in Panama, we are blessed to have most of the community keep the Shabbat, which unites us in a way that nothing ever

Open Document