The first hint of the approaching Sabbath is in the scurrying to complete Sabbath preparations. For once Sabbath descends on Friday, all such activity ceases.
Other signs of Sabbath observance are the lighting of Sabbath candles in the hotel, the red light identifying the Sabbath elevator (which automatically stops at every floor), Jewish families gathering for the evening meal, the synagogue service in the evening, and the complete silence that accompanies the rising dawn of Saturday.
Still other cues are the delay of room service until late Saturday, the absence of "hot" soup from the dinner buffet, and finally the festivity of the new evening.
Sabbath in Israel! I am reminded of the Sunday observances of my childhood and youth. Strange as it seems, I miss aspects of those observances: cessation of chores, rest, silence, and family time. I am challenged to work out my modern observance of sabbath when I return home.
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