Reuven, Keeper of Shabbat: From a Personal Mitzvah to a Global Movement

It started twenty years ago. Reuven Akavian, 59, a Torah scholar and father of eight from Bnei Brak, was once a secular man with a family who felt a deep emptiness despite having everything. "I remember how back then, in our secular lives, my wife and I felt a significant void and were searching for something to hold onto," he recalls. Eventually, they attended a seminar that led them and their family to return to religious observance.

Five years later, Akavian began advocating for the observance and understanding of Shabbat. He has tirelessly traveled back and forth, sacrificing his sleep, and distributing his own funds to children—all for one sacred purpose: to acquaint others with the Shabbat. To grasp its power, respect it, love it, and observe it. Yes, that everyone, without exception, should keep the Shabbat.

Children Reciting Tehillim for Soldiers

What inspired you to promote Shabbat observance?

"When I first heard the phrase 'All of Israel are guarantors for each other,' it deeply affected me, and I searched for how I could implement it in my life. It didn’t happen immediately or easily, but eventually, I found a way. I understood that just as a soldier is sent to protect me in places I cannot be, so am I obligated to do for that soldier with the tools I have—and, essentially, for any Jew who observes Torah and mitzvot," Reuven explains. "This involves striving in prayer, blessings, and actual mitzvot, especially the mitzvah of Shabbat, about which it is said to be the source of all blessing, which includes life itself."

Nevertheless, Akavian has specific intentions in his activities, dedicating a part of it especially for IDF soldiers, particularly given the current situation. "As part of our efforts for our soldiers," he modestly describes, "there are several hundred young children across the country who finish multiple Books of Tehillim daily to protect our soldiers. This is our main weapon against rockets, missiles, and the like. If we don't take care of each other, what does it mean to be guarantors for each other?"

In just a few years, what started as a personal mitzvah transformed into a global movement involving dozens of volunteers worldwide. "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy" is just one of the yellow placards posted throughout the world thanks to Akavian's 'Brachot HaShabbat' initiative. Thousands of additional signs printed and distributed by volunteers call on Jews to strengthen their observance of this commandment.

Shabbat Clocks in Every Jewish Home, Tehillim in Every School

As part of his activities, Reb Reuven, affectionately known as "Reuven Mokir Shabbat" among his friends, often endures insults and scorn from those who do not yet grasp the sanctity of Shabbat. But Akavian is not one to give up. With unyielding resolve, he continues to knock on the doors and hearts of secular school principals, pleading: "Include the topic of Shabbat in your curriculum." Again and again, like water wearing down rock, he persists until the principals agree—not before they also accept his proposal to reward the young children who strive so diligently in reading Tehillim, offering them fair compensation of 6-10 shekels per child. And where does the money come from? "Hashem provides. When you work for His children, He takes care of yours. These children and soldiers are all like my own children," says Reb Akavian with emotion.

To date, the "Brachot HaShabbat" organization has included the distribution of educational materials on the essence of Shabbat, the handing out of warming plates, assistance and guidance in setting Shabbat clocks, and hosted families interested in sharing or experiencing Shabbat. These are just some of the activities for which Rabbi Akavian dedicates his life, but due to his humility—apparent from the first conversation—it is beyond him to publicize his enormous contribution to the Shabbat movement, which has brought countless Jews closer to the appreciation of Shabbat, with its divine favor and significance.

In just the past year, over one hundred thousand Shabbat kits were distributed, most funded from Akavian's own pocket(!), and this is not all. The pinnacle of his efforts was a giant gathering in Ramat Gan Stadium in honor of Shabbat a few years ago. Major Torah figures participated, led by the great Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, may his merit protect us.

"Physical light is no less important than spiritual light in one’s home," explains Rina, 40, from Elad, who has worked with the Shabbat organization for the past five years. "Hence, one of Rabbi Akavian’s and 'Brachot HaShabbat’s' main goals is the Shabbat clock project. Through this initiative, Rabbi Akavian reached an agreement with an electronics company to produce Shabbat clocks, allowing people who wish to install a Shabbat clock in their homes to benefit from an attractive price compared to market rates, as well as professional electrician services. The organization provides guidance and installation of the Shabbat clock to make it easier for everyone, and consequently, thank G-d, we receive a myriad of inquiries from various audiences." Indeed, this project, distributing Shabbat clocks to homes across Israel, has encouraged many to observe additional mitzvot related to Shabbat and beyond. May the numbers of such efforts increase.

Finally, do you remember the first Shabbat you observed at home?

"Of course. It felt like a taste of the World to Come—in this world. Although there were a few challenges at first, and it took time to adjust to not engaging in activities we were accustomed to for years, the older children adapted immediately, while the younger ones found it a bit more challenging. But they all adjusted quite quickly. Today, thank G-d, even my three-year-old daughter Shira is accustomed to observing Shabbat. Throughout the week, we occasionally show her educational videos and stories of tzaddikim on the computer, which she loves. But on Shabbat, something amazing happens: she walks past the computer, you can see in her eyes that she wants to watch a video, but she doesn’t ask. She knows—it’s Shabbat today. What’s even more astounding is that she knows exactly, without anyone saying a word, when Shabbat ends, and only when that time comes does she approach the computer to ask for a video."

In light of the security situation, the rabbi requests all of Israel to strengthen their observance of the upcoming Shabbat and the one following it, each according to his or her level and ability, to bring redemption through mercy and not judgment.