From Weekend Chill to Soulful Connection: Discovering the Real Shabbat

“Friday’s here… finally some peace after a long week. Dinner with friends, beach on Saturday morning. What could be better?” Sound familiar?

This is how many people experience their weekends. And while it may seem relaxing on the surface, every so often, a nagging voice inside whispers: Is this it?

Maybe you’ve heard lectures by leading Torah scholars. Maybe you've been wowed by the complexity of the human body, amazed by the harmony of creation, and convinced that the world couldn’t have formed by chance. Deep down, you know the truth. You know there’s a Creator. You know the Torah is real.

But then comes that inner resistance:
"I can’t. It’s not for me. I’m too old for this kind of change!"
And just like that, the conscience gets quiet again.

The human mind is brilliant at producing excuses, at any age, in any life situation.
"I’m 55! I’m set in my ways. If I had discovered this at 24, it would’ve been different..."
"I’m 24! Why would I give up all the fun at this stage? Maybe I’ll change when I’m 55…"

So many see Shabbat as a list of restrictions, a day where you "can’t" do all the things you love. But what if we flipped that perspective? What if Shabbat wasn’t about restriction, but elevation?

Shabbat Isn’t About What You Give Up; It’s About What You Get Back

Let’s talk about the inner conflict that bubbles up when the topic of Shabbat comes up.

If you’ve only experienced Shabbat in its secular form, the full version, "Shabbat Kodesh," might seem dull or limiting. The thought of “giving up” your weekend routine can feel daunting. But I want to share what Shabbat really feels like and how I came to know it.

When I was studying at a seminary in Jerusalem, we would spend Shabbat with religious families. I’ll never forget my first one. I didn’t have a “Shabbat.” I experienced "Shabbat Kodesh." The entire atmosphere was transformed. It’s hard to explain. There was a calmness, a sanctity. A different color to the world. Something only the soul can recognize.

Picture this: Friday is winding down. The sun is setting. The food is cooked, and the house is clean. A crisp white tablecloth is spread across the table. Everyone is dressed in their finest. You wear your best dress, matching shoes, a touch of makeup, and jewelry. He’s in a freshly pressed suit and tie.

It’s time to light the candles.

You stand in front of your candlesticks, strike the match, and gently usher in the light of Shabbat. You close your eyes. You whisper a heartfelt prayer for health, livelihood, joy, peace at home, and your children’s success. You thank the Creator for every blessing in your life. Then you open your eyes, smile at your family, and say softly and sweetly, “Shabbat Shalom…”

Experience Shabbat With All Your Senses

A gentle song echoes through the synagogue. Everyone sings “Lecha Dodi” together. The rabbi shares words of Torah. Evening prayers finish, and families head home.

And then, the Shabbat table. The centerpiece of it all.

Everyone sits around the table, the parents and the kids. The meal lasts at least two hours. The father shares a short idea from the parsha. The kids talk about what they learned in school. Songs are sung. Compliments are given. Laughter fills the room.

The food?
Challah and dips.
Fish and salad.
Meat and sides.
A delicious dessert (if there’s room left!).

Shabbat morning, it continues:
Back to the synagogue, then home for another special meal.
Then a nap, a Torah class, a quiet book, and time with your kids. You play. You listen. You’re fully present. No phones. No distractions. Just you and the people who matter most.

As the sun sets, it’s time for Seudah Shlishit, the third meal. You eat simple foods, sing the liturgical poem “Yedid Nefesh”, and slowly begin to part from the day you’ve come to love. Already, you long for next week.

Words can’t fully capture what Shabbat is. It’s not just restful. It’s transformative. If you think it’s empty or dull, you simply haven’t experienced the real thing. You may have encountered “Shabbat.” But you haven't yet experienced "Shabbat Kodesh."

Even if you’re hesitant about observing Shabbat, start with just one. Try it. Taste it. Feel it. You won’t regret it.

Shabbat is waiting.