Day 6 - Shabbat

Day 6:


The rain was coming down relentlessly from friday evening, however we were determined to get to the kotel for friday night. We were told to wear all of the warm cloths that we had. We ran straight off the bus in the rain to the yeshiva which overlooked the kotel. Rabbi Shaw said it was the best positioned shul in the world, overlooking the western wall. We started to pray but it was very boring and people were falling asleep. However, it was livened up when Rabbi Shaw said "get rid of all the chairs, let's start dancing!". The atmosphere changed and it started to feel like a party. After a long time singing and dancing, we were told that we were going to eat upstairs in a room which also overlooked the kotel. The food was amazing. The ruach in the room was unbelievable and hard to replicate.
 Avi Friedman led us in the group chanting and Adebayor was in our hearts. What we didn't know was that we were having our sikkum in the yeshiva - with the rain still pouring down, emotions were running high, as we discussed what we learnt over the last 5 days. Suddenly, an unbelievable miracle happened. During the worst storm that Israel has had in 2 and a half years, God gave us 20 minutes of clear, starry sky to allow us to go outside and speak our hearts out at the empty kotel. With no one else there, it was completely silent and the relationship between us grew stronger. We were all eager for our chance to talk to God and we had never felt closer to Judaism. To be able to have our own private time at the kotel on a friday night was incredible.


As we started to walk home, the rain came back and we were getting soaked. No one really cared though, because we had so many emotions going through our minds. We had deep chats in our group about the emotions that we were feeling and the conversations will be kept for years to come. The streets of jerusalem were empty as we slowly made our way back to the Hotel. Rain turned to hail but that didn't stop us!!


On Shabbat morning we had a long lie-in and shul was delayed. Either way, the first 3 boys into shul were radlett boys- doing us proud!! Jonny Midgen and Aaron Conway shared 'Ein Kamocha' duties which borught much pride to everyone from Radlett!! The service was tuneful.


After a very funny lunch with lots of chillies making people cry and throw up, we had a very relaxing shabbat afternoon of rest. Then when it was time for havdalah, we all got back as a group and sat in a circle around Rabbi Shaw. He told us some inspiring stories about jewish people, their experiences and how they relate to our own lives. It was a beautiful wya to end an amazing shabbat singing together in a circle around the havdalah candle as one group.


It was a shabbat we will never forget!!


Jonathan Midgen & Eli Persky