Shabbat Is My Anchor: A Singer’s Personal Journey of Rest, Reflection, and Renewal

What Shabbat means to me...
Shabbat is a gift from Hashem. It’s a day of rest, a pause from the week, and a chance to recharge, both spiritually and emotionally. It’s when I revisit what I learned in yeshiva, spend time with my parents and family, and reflect on the week that’s passed.

My Shabbat routine...
On Friday night, my entire family heads to synagogue together. When we return home, we make kiddush and enjoy the delicious food my mother has prepared. I usually share some words of Torah at the table, and of course, we sing Shabbat songs, not my own. Dror Yikra is a favorite. Then we relax with tea and cake, and I usually head to bed around midnight.

The synagogue that speaks to me most...
The Yemenite synagogue in Zikhron Yaakov, where I’ve prayed since childhood. But there are two synagogues abroad that really left an impression, one in Venezuela and the other in Rome. I was in Rome for a Chabad dinner performance, and the beauty and grandeur of the synagogue amazed me. The cantor was dressed in traditional attire, and it was clear this was a place of deep significance.

What I’m learning...
In halacha (Jewish law), I study Chazon Ovadia by Rabbi Ovadia Yosef. For mussar (ethical teachings), I learn Orchot Tzaddikim, and I recently started Mesilat Yesharim by the Ramchal. And of course, I’m also learning Gemara. Lately, I’ve been reading a book my producer Aviad Gil gave me, U’Metok HaOr by Rabbi Shlomo Levenstein. It’s a mussar work full of powerful insights.

Family moments...
My siblings live all across the country, so we often spend Shabbat in different homes. Last week, for instance, I stayed with Aviad, my producer. We don’t discuss work on Shabbat, and honestly, I never get tired of being around him. He’s like a father to me.

When Shabbat ends...
We make havdalah (the ceremony that marks the end of Shabbat), though we usually wait a little longer than the standard time. Then I pack my bag for yeshiva. If I have a performance on Saturday night, I get ready. And if the evening is free, I’ll spend it playing with my nephews or on the computer.