THE REAL SPIRIT OF SHABBAS/ AND DON'T WORRY I'M SAFE

So this past weekend I wound up going to a shabbaton, and the theme of the shabbaton was Judaism and judaism in Israel. on friday we had mostly introductions. but that was nothing compared to what we had friday night. Jerusalem one of the most holiest cities in the world / Israel especially for the Jews. As I said before there's just a totally different feel to the city when you are there especially on shabbas. So friday night they offered us our choice of places for shabbat services, and I honestly couldn't have thought more of a appropriate choice than going to the kottel. hehe yes I know I've pretty much been to the kottel god knows how many times in the past 2 weeks but seriously it's only fitting. it was an amazing sight to see! a swarm of well mostly orthodox jews, and some birthright participants tossed in. it was a sight that is just breath taking! to hear hundreds of Jews Wailing in prayer and dovaning in unison almost was amazing to hear the different tunes and different sounds of prayer is just a beautiful sound.

        I myself found my way to the back corner where a group of soldiers were singing and dancing and what not! so i decided to join them! I started dancing and the energy exuming from these soldiers in prayer and well just nigunim ( jewish songs) is just amazing! I've never been so moved in prayer and in the spirituality of shabbat than I did that night at that moment. its something i've been searching for in my life for a long time. just being there with the soldiers dovaning was special and an honor. and i look around and to see more jews singing and dancing and praying its like non-other. the spirit of the jewish religion and tradition of shabbat was every where and was strong that night. it's amazing and hard to explain.

      Later that night was even more interesting of a experience. through out the weekend they introduced us to the various sects of the religion minus the secular and Charedi side of it but thats ok. Friday night they invited a orthodox man to come in and lead us and teach us about what is a "Tish" ( or singing around a table) again nigunim. whats a tish you may ask? well a tish is a hassidic event where they gather around a table and sing nigunim, tell stories and drink. soo thats what we did. granted people mostly had a just shot (dont worry i didnt drink) hehe! but it was deffinitley an experience that i'll never forget.

        So a few little things. As you all know I was in Jerusalem for most of the week and chag the last two weeks. During that time I have seen the bomb squad called in and take care of business almost every time i went this past week. But don't worry people everything is fine they did what they had to do, and i would like to thank the Israeli bomb squad for dealing with things efficiantly and keeping us safe. however something that hit more close to home and i'm sorry for making a certian someone nervous when this event happened. a few nights ago there was a couple of events that happened. one was there was an attack in the gaza strip where israeli airforce went in and blew up the houses of a few terrorists. also there was an assasination in near by (neighboring city) Lod of two people in the underground. I was up at the time of the attack along with one of my house mates and well we could hear the explosion from our house. please do not worry we are completely fine and safe! absolutely no one in our group was hurt we were all home and in the house.. does these events make me nervous as i'm sure hearing it here makes you nervous. yes it does but you can't let these things affect you at all, and you move on as much as possible as if nothing happened. but again do not worry I am perfectly fine! along with everyone else is here. aside from that we are now at the two week and counting mark. shocking i know how time is flying. and i'm slowly starting mentally preping to come home is it tough to do so especially after all i've gone through and done?!? yes. but i'll be ok.. I might be flipping out next week or so trying to get things done and ready buy i'm fighting through it all and hopefully do ok. well that's it for right now. hope everyone is doing well! and if i do not post a new post before next weekend I would like to wish everyone a happy and healthy new year!  psst mom 2 weeks! hehe oh shoot mom you didnt read that ( ok i'm just trying to get out of shoveling and dishes hehe). Love you all! till next time PEACE FROM THE MIDDLE EAST!