“A Sacred Rhythm”: How One Man Experiences Shabbat with Depth, Joy, and Renewal

A Day of Stillness, Song, and Spiritual Power

What does Shabbat mean to you?
“Stillness. Rest. Connection. Prayer. Elevation. Purification. Strength. Renewal. Family. Niggunim (spiritual melodies), divrei Torah (words of Torah), and gratitude.”

Torah, Tehillim (Psalms), and a Three-Hour Meal

What’s your Shabbat schedule like?
“Friday night begins with Maariv (evening prayer), followed by the first meal, which lasts at least three hours. I learn a little Torah, then doze off on the couch and head to bed.
In the morning, I go to Shacharit (morning prayers), not before 8:30, and sometimes manage to study beforehand. On Shabbat Mevarchim (the Shabbat before the new month), I read through the entire Sefer Tehillim (Book of Psalms), continuing after the prayer service if necessary.
The second meal also takes two to three hours. I then study for about two hours. If there’s time, usually in the summer, I rest a bit more. Later I’ll have some fruit or a drink and catch up on any learning I didn’t finish. Then it’s time for Mincha (afternoon prayer).
Between Mincha and Maariv, I sometimes study Tanya (Chabad Chassidic thought). I don’t always manage to have a third meal, but Maariv is usually about 20 minutes after Shabbat ends.”

Where do you pray on Shabbat?
“It depends on where I spend Shabbat. Most often it’s at a Chabad minyan. But I also go to two others: a Carlebach-style minyan for Kabbalat Shabbat and a young professionals' minyan.”

Soulful Song and Legendary Guests

What’s your favorite Shabbat song?
“Tzama Nafshi LeElokim — ‘My soul thirsts for Hashem, the living God.’”

Who would you want to host or be hosted by on Shabbat?
“I already get to spend Shabbat in the best places in the world, with Rabbi Gerlitzky in Tel Aviv and at my mother’s house.
If I could host anyone? Aharon HaKohen (Aaron the High Priest).”

A New Lens

What makes your Shabbat different from the rest of the week?
“The clothing, the pace, the way I speak, the way I think, the Torah I learn, the meals, the way I walk down the street, all of it changes. On Shabbat, I see things differently. Even the colors around me feel more alive. I notice the little things.
There’s no weekday, only holiness. And that shows up in everything: from the table conversation to the books I read.”

What’s the first thing you do after Shabbat ends?
“Recently, I’ve started making a proper Melaveh Malkah (Saturday night meal to ‘escort the Queen').