The Heartwarming Online Reaction to a Woman's First Shabbat

About a month ago, when Aya Kambele posted in a Facebook group that she wanted to start observing Shabbat for the first time in her life, she wasn't prepared for the flood of responses she'd receive—over 700 of them, in fact.

Here are some of the comments that touched our hearts:

Aliza Ozari wrote: "I started observing about 3 months ago, roughly when the pandemic began. At first, it was tough without TV and phone. Thank Hashem, now Friday and Shabbat have become enjoyable days. I make *Kiddush* on my own. Sometimes the kids don't come, so I do *Havdalah* alone. Due to the heat, I don't use a hot plate; I heat the food in the microwave before Shabbat begins. I light candles, make *Kiddush*, and enjoy lukewarm food. I really enjoy it. I read a lot of Tehillim, beginning Friday through Shabbat. *Neshamot* of all lives. Prayers for guarding the tongue. I relax a lot, enjoy Shabbat, and look forward to Friday and Shabbat all week. I feel good. I wish you success. Start gradually if it's challenging for you. First, don't cook on Shabbat, don't travel, do *Kiddush* and *Havdalah*, don't heat food, and disconnect the phone. Do everything gradually to make it easier for you. Sending you a huge hug, good luck, sister, you've moved me. May Hashem keep you."

Esther Shmilov wrote: "I started observing five months ago and feel like I've been doing it my whole life. It's fun; it's rest. On Sunday, you're full of energy. You prepare for Shabbat, but then on Shabbat, you don't cook, you don't clean, you relax."

Hodaya Chavusha wrote: "Start small, not all at once. Of course, if you can do more, it's a blessing.
Begin by choosing what not to do (don't turn on the lights/disconnect the phone/don't travel/fire), and slowly, from Shabbat to Shabbat, add something else.
Board games pass the time like Monopoly or Rummikub, enhancing family life as you connect more. And walks to a nearby park or garden."

"Shabbat is the source of blessing. You'll see, you'll succeed in everything when you observe it," many women wrote.

And a few more to bring you peace of mind: