What did it for her?
Last week, Esty was having coffee with a woman who is in the midst of her personal journey of rediscovering her Jewish roots.
Esty was amazed at this woman's passion and interest, it was truly remarkable to listen to her.
At one point Esty asked her: "You were living a happy life as a secular Jew. What did it for you? What got you turned on to all this?"
Without missing a beat, she said: "A number of years ago, a Rebbetzin invited me to her home for Shabbat dinner. When I walked into her house, I saw how the Shabbat candles were lit, the entire home was bright. The children were well dressed, clean and happy. The entire atmosphere in her home was charged with this glowing spirit of peace, happiness and Shabbat."
Instantly I thought to myself: "One day, I would like to have this too!"
This story is yet another great reminder of the awesome power of Shabbat and the unique role of the woman in creating a sacred atmosphere in a Jewish home.
Shabbat Shalom!
Rabbi Yossi Zaklikofsky