EY ZEH DIA
So! We started at the fortress of Belvoir, and learned that Belvoir means "beautiful view" which was extremely fitting. Let's take it back a couple of thousand years to a Europe in distress. Amid a lot of tension between the Pope and Kings, Pope Urban II delivered a speech in 1096 encouraging the Franks to go take Israel. His reasoning behind this push was (1) a blood libel or the Jews kidnapping and killing Christian children to use their blood for matzah and bread, (2) desecration of host or Jews stabbing the holy wafers that represent Jesus, and (3) the Jews poisoning wells. And so the crusaders or carriers of the cross were birthed, traveling to the holy Jewish cities to slaughter the masses. Belvoir was one of the crusaders fortresses. The large structure was made of dark stone and surrounded by a huge moat. These Tatnu massacres lasted from 1100-1300 until Saladin defeated the crusaders.
THEN, after a nice nappy and a cool view of the Kineret, we arrived at Tzfat a couple of hundred years later. In about 1550, Tzfat became a major center of development in Israel. We discussed the labor pangs of the messiah and preparing for him/her to come, with the main lesson surrounding Tzfat was about Kabblat Shabbat, the welcoming of the Sabbath. We learned about 3 major rabbis who contributed to the idea of Jewish mysticism in different ways. Firstly, Yosef Karo was a rabbi who wrote halacha in great detail, leaving the people with the ability to interpret for themselves (much unlike Rambam). Then we heard about Moshe Cordovera who discussed the philosophy behind the laws that Karo wrote, asking questions like what? how? why????? Lastly, we learned about Ha'ari Hakadosh or Rabbi Yitzchak Loria who brought both ways of the other rabbis together, and said we need to pull down the law and made kabblat shabbat. We saw beautiful synagogues and spaces in Tzfat that were full of color.
We learned a lot of interesting things that occurred over many years and shopped till we dropped (but, don't forget the cheese). AND SO I ASK YOU CHAVERIM: what came first? the chicken or the egg??
SIKE. My real questions are...
What is the importance of Kabblat Shabbat in your Shabbat experiences and why do you think that the tradition has lasted for so long?
Egg came first. From a bird that wasn't a chicken. For me, Kabbalat Shabbat is important because it gives a special meaning to Shabbat, and helps to separate it from the rest of the week. At summer camp, we have Kabbalat Shabbat, and I've always loved it. There's something really special about seeing the whole community in white, singing together at a clean camp. I'm not sure how to explain it, but it's beautiful. I think this has lasted so long because of that. It's special, and gives an atmosphere of joy and hope. Isn't that what Shabbat's about?
ReplyDeleteAwesome blog post! The importance of Kabbalat Shabbat to me is that it is a special day where we all rest and spend time together as a holy community or kehilla kodosha. Like Caroline, we celebrate Kabbalat Shabbat at camp and it's really a memorable, fun experience. I think the traditions lasted so long because people like it and choose to pass it on to their kids and because it makes people happy as well as brings them together.
ReplyDeleteAt camp, and here, I am obviously celebrating and honoring Kabalat Shabbat, which shows how his efforts in making it has lasted for so many years. I think the tradition lasted so long because it modernized Judaism and at the time, that was very necessary.
ReplyDeleteKabbalat Shabbat is special to me because of the feel that it gives shabbat. Kabbalat Shabbat is the start of a regenerative time for me where I am allowed to relax and recharge for the coming week. I think that it was lasted this much time because of it prepares the community really well for shabbat. It gets people in the mindset where they can connect with God and respect the rest time that they get.
ReplyDeleteKabbalat Shabbat is special to me because of the feel that it gives shabbat. Kabbalat Shabbat is the start of a regenerative time for me where I am allowed to relax and recharge for the coming week. I think that it was lasted this much time because of it prepares the community really well for shabbat. It gets people in the mindset where they can connect with God and respect the rest time that they get.
ReplyDeleteThe importance of Kabbalat Shabbat is the peaceful entering into Shabbat and the prayer with the community. Personally, all it does is remind me of the community found in NFTY NE. We emphasize the importance of spirituality and enjoy the services together. It now also reminds me of how great Nate is at leading services. As for why it has lasted, I would say just because people enjoy it. It is a new, positive experience every time you have services. People interpret it in their own ways, and keep doing it simply because it is something they want to do.
ReplyDeleteAfter being in Israel I have learned to love Kabbalat Shabbat. I love being able to welcome shabbat with my friends in a happy and joyful way with lots of singing. Being in Israel has taught me how important shabbat is and how we need this time to relax and unwind and I would not want to welcome this time with any other group of people.
ReplyDeleteBefore coming to Israel I never celebrated Shabbat. Having this experience now made me realize how important it is to take time out of your week to just relaxed and look back on your week. I believe this tradition of Shabbat has lasted because it is a very peaceful and happy time that brings everyone closer.
ReplyDeleteWe don't really have Kabbalat Shabbat at home, but I believe the importance of it is for everyone to be able to welcome Shabbat in an enjoyable and serene way. I think it is when everyone gets to take a little break and enjoy the time with their family and friends. That is also why I think the tradition has lasted so long, since everybody wants to spend time together in a happy and fun way.
ReplyDeleteI think Kabbalat Shabbat is important because it gives Shabbat a more special meaning, it lets you relax and be calm, not stressed over everything. I think this tradition will keep on going.
ReplyDeleteKabbalat Shabbat is important to me because I get a chance to rest and spend time with my family and friends. At my camp, everyone cleans their cabins, dresses up, goes to Shabbat services and has dinner together. I think it creates a sense of community and that is why it has lasted so long.
ReplyDeleteKabbalat Shabbat is what makes Shabbat at camp so special. In a way it forces us to relax and reflect on everything that we did that week, so in doing that it brings everyone closer. The tradition has lasted so long because it adds meaning to Shabbat, and everyone benefits from it.
ReplyDeleteObviously the egg came first. Kabbalat Shabbat like many other people have said, it has many memories tied to it. Ones of camp, NFTY, and just an overall sense over community.
ReplyDeletei think kabbalat shabbat is important because it gives you a chance to reflect on the past week, and start to think about the week ahead as well. it also gives us a chance to relax during the weekend and not stress as much.
ReplyDeleteI think kabbalat shabbat has lasted so long because it is a community event. i know that I enjoy going to temple on friday night along with my fellow congregants.
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