Vacation with Values: Supporting Shabbat-Observant Businesses

Vacation Time Is Shabbat Time, Too

During school vacations and summer break, many families take time to relax and travel around Israel, discovering new places and creating lasting memories.

Beyond the importance of family time, these outings also offer a unique opportunity to reinforce a core value: the sanctity of Shabbat. Especially now, when Shabbat observance in the public sphere is being challenged in various cities across Israel, it's more important than ever to make conscious choices about the businesses and places we support.

As some municipalities erode the status quo of public Shabbat observance, pressure is mounting on business owners to open their stores on Shabbat. In the face of this, our role as consumers becomes crucial. We can strengthen the hands of those who choose to honor Shabbat, by doing business with them.

Remarkably, many business owners who have made the decision to close on Shabbat have testified that their livelihood hasn’t suffered. In fact, quite the opposite. Instead of losing income from remaining closed one day a week, they often experience greater prosperity and increased weekday traffic.  Beyond the financial gain, they reclaim Shabbat as a day of rest and spiritual renewal.

Still, not every business owner understands the immense spiritual value and reward of keeping Shabbat. That’s where we come in. By supporting only Shabbat-observant businesses, attractions, and destinations, we communicate a clear message of encouragement and appreciation. Our choices have an influence. When we prioritize Shabbat, others take notice.

This kind of grassroots impact was clearly seen in Tiberias, when Rabbi Zamir Cohen distributed “Business Blessings” to Shabbat-observant stores. Inspired by the gesture, many others followed suit, closing their shops on Shabbat and joining the growing circle of those who honor the day.

So next time you're planning a family trip, pause and ask: Is this place Shabbat-observant? Are we choosing experiences that reflect our values?

By doing so, we not only bring more meaning to our vacations. We help bring more honor to Shabbat throughout the land of Israel.