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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Calm (emotionally) (09/13/07)
These two words were more or less strange words to us 20 years ago, but since then, they have been ringing like music in our ears!
From the moment we set our first steps in learning the Hebrew language, we discovered that this is in particular the expression among the Jewish people to wish each other a peaceful Sabbath. Every Friday, before the Sabbath begins, and during the Sabbath itself, you will hear or say “Shabbat Shalom!”

Sabbath, the day of rest, stems from the Hebrew word “Shabbat” to repose, to desist, and was commanded by God to his people.
The word “Shalom” means: safe, well, health, peace and is of course also a Hebrew word.
What a wonderful combination do these two words make!

But not until we came to live in Israel, and in particular the capital city of Israel, Jerusalem, did we learn to appreciate fully the meaning of these words.
Literally, every Friday afternoon we experience a calmness coming over this city; the traffic slows down and towards the end of the afternoon there is hardly traffic, no more buses and you can hear the birds.

Mothers light the two Sabbath candles before the Sabbath begins in order to welcome the day of rest. Fathers and their sons go to the synagogue; at home everything is ready for a festive and peaceful dinner.
The meal begins only when the family is complete again. The children are blessed and afterwards the wine and the bread are passed around; life slows down around the delicious meal.

My wife and I often have friends over on Friday evening, and we too enjoy this little ceremony and feel blessed to live among these people of God.
Sabbath morning again, you see and feel an exceptional calm Jerusalem, hardly any cars on the road but you see many well dressed families walking to their local synagogue. The prayers and songs coming through the often open windows is a pleasure to listen at.

This coming weekend, we will even more experience an unsurpassable calmness, because this year the Day of Atonement falls exactly on Sabbath. Then even non-religious Jews come to a stand still. Many of them will even fast 25 hours and pray and go to the synagogue.
That Friday Evening and Sabbath, the streets will be crowded with people. The children are allowed to play on the main streets because no traffic is allowed on this most solemn day of the Jewish Year.

Shabbat Shalom!
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Member Comments
Member
Date
Valerie Miller
09/21/07
I enjoyed your descriptive and informative writing. I could almost "feel" the sweet calmness that comes over the city on Friday nights! Very nice.
Beth LaBuff
09/27/07
I enjoyed these thoughts and learned something from you. I like your description of the city streets on Friday too. Your peaceful title is very good for this.
David Butler
10/10/07
Your title caught my attention since I'm fascinated with languages. I recognised the word "Shalom" of course, but their is much in the ancient Hebrew language, culture and history that stirs me. This article certainly did that too.
Informative and interesting, and you show a heart for the Jewish people. Are you into the Messianic message as well?