Sanctifying Hashem's Name: Why Would a Successful Business Forfeit 4,000 Visitors a Week for Shabbat?

Everyone traveling in the northern area cannot miss the sign for 'Jordan River Rafting' at the entrance to the well-known site operating for over 20 years. Annually, about 300,000 people visit the site, mostly in the hot summer months, enjoying water attractions, boating, and much delight.

Nowadays, visitors are met with an additional sign at the entrance: "Dear Visitors," it reads, "After 20 continuous years in the tourism industry, we have sincerely and courageously decided to cease operations on Shabbat and Jewish holidays".

"Until today, many visitors came here on Shabbat and holidays," Eran Gigi, one of the site's owners, tells us. "Our biggest profits came from those days, as on regular days about 2,000 people would come daily, while on Shabbat, even 4,000 visitors might come".

Nevertheless, about three weeks ago, the site’s owners – brothers Eran, Yaniv, and Uri – issued a definitive announcement: the site would no longer operate on Shabbat. Since then, every Friday afternoon, they return home early and know that a full day of rest awaits them. Shabbat rest.

"We found that true rest only comes on Shabbat"

But wait, what happened here? How do you explain this decision?

Eran smiles. "We wanted a break," he replies simply. "All week long, we work very hard, and we wanted some rest".

But that's the day when the most clients visit you, so why not pick another day in the week?

"Well, sure, along with that, we wanted to enjoy the rest of Shabbat. We are traditional people; every Friday night, we make Kiddush and light candles. Shabbat is important to us, we realized that true rest can only be on Shabbat".

Eran Gigi, site owner

He shares candidly: "Three weeks ago, I sat with my brothers, and we talked about how our work is really tough. We all have families, and every day during the week, we return home at 8 PM and barely manage to see the kids. For example, I have four young children, and I almost never see them. So, we decided to make this decision. It wasn't easy at all, but the Shabbats we've experienced since then have been amazing. So much rest and quality time with the family. There's nothing like it".

Aren't you worried about the financial impact?

"We know we did the right thing and believe that nothing bad will come from it. We also consider that now, perhaps more religious and ultra-Orthodox people will visit the site. It won’t make up for all the thousands who came on Shabbat, but it’s something".

"I explained to all the students: I rest on Shabbat"

Since announcing that the Jordan River Rafting site is closed on Shabbat, Eran recounts that they have been constantly receiving calls and very warm feedback from people.

"People are writing to us all the time on Facebook with amazing support and constantly calling. All the feedback is positive, very encouraging," he shares. "On one day, we even visited Rabbi Kanievsky and Rabbi Shalom Cohen and several other rabbis who blessed us for it. They said we are doing something important and that Shabbat will keep us".

Is there no sense of missing out?

"No, not at all. I must note that various sites, not necessarily related to our field, consulted with us about whether they should also close on Shabbat. Of course, we told them that each should consider their factors, but in general – we highly recommended it".

But the most unique response they received was from a school principal. "This week, on Sunday, a principal of a school with hundreds of girls called me. She told me that every Friday, she speaks over the intercom to all the students, but this time she heard about the step we took and wanted to talk about it already on Sunday. Then, she put me on to speak to the hundreds of girls. I told them about our decision – to stop working to rest and be with family. To do what a Jew really needs to do on Shabbat. That's how I spoke, and honestly, even I was moved."