Shabat Shalom! The Sabbath is the holy day of rest for Jews, and it takes special significance here in Jerusalem. Friday evening at sundown is the official beginning, when all the Jews shut down for the night and all day on Saturday to observe the day of rest that God took after six days of creation.
So after a full day of class a few of us went down to the Western Wall. This wall is the only remaining piece left from the Jewish temple after its destruction by the Romans in the year 70. It is the holiest place in the world for Jews who believe that 'God's presence never leaves the Western Wall.'
There is lots of singing and dancing and celebrating down by the wall to welcome in the Sabbath and to praise and thank God for all His goodness. It amazes me that there are so many Jews who remain faithful to this practice after thousands of years. They truly are dedicated to their religion.
After dinner we walked around the city a little bit, and it was eerie to see all the shops closed and the streets empty. Even the public transportation stops running during Sabbath!
Enjoying the Jewish day of rest and looking forward to our own Lord's Day on Sunday. God rested on the seventh day of creation but on the 'eighth day' He conquered sin and death with the Resurrection. This is our celebration and for this we know that God is Good!
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