As a participant of The Jerusalem Journey, I have been enjoying every activity that we have taken part in. Recently we have come to observe Shabbat, and on this holy day we experienced rest from the enlightening activities as well as a plethora of thought provoking discussions.

On this day we experience rest both of the body and of the soul, through reflecting on our actions and strengthening the connections we possess with G-d. You see, throughout the week we as Jews are in a constant struggle to become closer to G-d through Mitzvot, but on Shabbat, according to the Midrash, our souls are elevated automatically and we are infinitely closer to G-d. In Judaism there is another obligation that states that beautifying a mitzvah, in a way, is what enhances the power of the mitzvah.

Furthermore, when the stars go down and we all put on our beautiful clothes and gather around to play games, listen to stories and do so many other wonderful activities carried out by our incredible group of superstar Madrichim, we experience another type of joy; a type that is experienced together, and enhanced by the spirit of a group of Jewish kids scattered throughout the diaspora coming back to the land in which their ancestors originated, and who have come back to experience Shabbat as their ancestors did.

I am looking forward to all of the events that we are to complete throughout the remainder of the trip and am overjoyed by what we all have achieved and learned in only four days. In conclusion, Shabbat on TJJ is a wonderful experience filled with unity and rest, a day of gathering and a day we all look forward to, and one that all TJJ participants can look forward to; what an unbelievable trip it’s been so far!