Experiencing Shabbat, the Jewish day of rest, in Israel can be a magical experience.
Shabbat starts at sundown on Friday and ends at sundown on Saturday. It is the time when the whole country dresses in festive clothes: candles are lit up, you can smell the enchanting Shabbat food, and everything is quiet.
On Shabbat, the atmosphere is peaceful: you can’t see any traffic on the streets, public transportation usually does not run at all, shared taxis and private taxis are the only means of transport – people are walking, riding a bicycle, going to the synagogue and most of the businesses, shops, and restaurants are closed.
However, there are non-Kosher restaurants that remain open during Shabbat. Hotels also practice the candle lighting tradition. Wine, challah, a traditional Jewish bread, and grape juice are offered at dinner or lunch.
If you are staying in Jerusalem, you shouldn’t miss going to the Western Wall at candle lighting.
Regardless of the holiday, there are plenty of interesting things and places to visit on Shabbat. For example, museums are usually open to visitors.
On Saturday evening, the businesses and shops re-open one hour after the end of Shabbat and they tend to stay open until late hours.
With the last moments of Shabbat disappears the peaceful atmosphere and the crazy, everyday rush starts again.