“Shabbat Is My Source of Strength”: A Personal Glimpse into Israeli Singer Avi Benayoun's Day of Rest

What does Shabbat mean to you?
“Oh wow, that’s a big question! Shabbat is the source of strength for the entire week. It’s a power that comes from home, from family, from the prayers and the meals.”

What’s your typical Shabbat schedule?
“Like everyone else, we begin with Kabbalat Shabbat at synagogue. Then I come home, we sing ‘Shalom Aleichem,’ and sit down for the Friday night meal with the kids. That meal usually goes on for a good few hours, with words of Torah, songs, and talking with the kids about what they learned that week.

In the morning, I get up for prayers, but I try to wake up early to study for an hour or two before the service begins. After that, we come home for the second meal. I also try to learn a bit at the table and again for another hour or two afterward. Then we take a short rest before seudah shlishit (the third meal). Everything revolves around learning and prayer.”

Your local synagogue?
“I have a synagogue about 30 feet from my home, the Choni HaMe’agel in Be’er Sheva.”

Do you have a favorite Shabbat song?
“‘Esmach Bach’ by the Baba Sali, Rabbi Yisrael Abuchatzeira.”

Who would you like to spend Shabbat with—and who would you host?
“I’d be fascinated to see what Shabbat was like with King David. After all, our prayers are all based on his Psalms. Maybe I’d get to hear how he sang on Shabbat.

As for hosting? I’d love to host everyone. Whoever wants to come, my home is open!"