One of the difficulties I have experienced so far during my time in Israel includes the national observance of Shabbat. Shabbat is a Jewish holiday that occurs every week from sunset on Friday until sunset on Saturday where everyone is supposed to rest. Since Israel is a country which is governed around Judaism, the occurrence of this holiday greatly affects the culture of its citizens. Such examples include the closing of stores and the unavailability of a regular bus schedule. These practices make it much more difficult to do anything over the weekend when we don’t have classes, which would ideally be when we get the chance to explore the wonderful country we have traveled to. Fortunately, there are “Shabbat buses” which run on a specific schedule so that individuals are still able to have transportation. Additionally, Shabbat buses are free since you are not supposed to exchange money during Shabbat, however they don’t arrive nearly as frequently and are less predictable than the non-Shabbat buses. Furthermore, since I am living in Tel Aviv, one of the less orthodox cities in Israel, it makes it easier to find stores that are open during Shabbat. On the other hand, I can say with the utmost confidence that I love the traditions surrounding the Shabbat celebrations. One of the most important concepts of Shabbat is relaxing at the end of the week and enjoying and appreciating your family and loved ones. Not only are you not supposed to exchange money on Shabbat, but you are also not supposed to use electronics, or drive, etc. Such restrictions allow one to really appreciate their surroundings without the distractions, burdens, or anxieties of the modern world. I have been fortunate enough to have been welcomed with open arms to various Shabbat dinner celebrations which I believe have been some of the most enjoyable experiences of my time here in Israel.
