Kibbutz Shabbos - Secular Meets Holy

Some people come to Israel as a spiritual journey. They come to the holy land searching for religious wholeness. I did not. I was not expecting to find anything. That is not because I did not want to, but more of because I knew where I would be. I am at Kibbutz Revivim, a secular kibbutz. To be completely honest I was not exciting about living here. When I was looking at the possible kibbutzim choices I would have been much happier living in a religious setting, but because of dates and what not I had to come here. Was I disappointed? Yes. Was I going to make do? Absolutely. Boy am I glad I did. Not only because I love everything about this place, but also because in a way, it has helped to shape my Jewish identity, one that has been quite rocky lately. It's weird how we find things in the most unlikely places. Who would imagine I would "find god" here. A place with no organized prayer. A place where meat and cheese seem to be the perfect combination. A place with naked doors where Mezuzot usually are. And a place where the cultural aspects of Judaism seem to trump the religious. I'm not saying these things are quote on quote "bad," but just different.

So yesterday I had a great Shabbat experience. And yes, I was on the Kibbutz when this experience happened. It started off as most typical shabbat nights start - candle lighting. Ryan, Naomi, Jennifer, and I congregated in Naomi's room and did all the normal "stuff." (candle lighting, kiddush, and challah.) And then we sang. It was great. Even though none of us knew all the same tunes and we all came from different Jewish backgrounds we were able to come together and just sing. It's really interesting learning from each others different customs and coming together as one community. We are going to start teaching each other shabbat songs every week. After awhile of singing we moved onto discussion of current politics (Gaza, Israel, US election, etc.) The time seemed to fly by with our conversation and singing and soon enough it was time for dinner. Dinner was more or less the same pleasant meal it is every night. Good Food. Good Conversation. etc.

On Shabbat we are suppose to rejoice and be happy. In normal traditional life this can stem anywhere from singing our favorite Zemirot to spending good old fashion quality time with our loved ones. On the kibbutz we do things a little bit differently. Kibbutz Revivim rejoices with the Moo Bar (it is called the Moo Bar because it is located next to the cows and smells like cow poop). The Moo Bar is a disco open every Friday night from 11:30 to 5'ish where people can rejoice in other things that fix their fancy: drinking, dancing, and talking (if you can hear over the music) Bottom line is that it's a place to have fun. And that is what we did to rejoice shabbat, no matter how unorthodox.

After waking up the next morning just in time for lunch I davined a quick shakarit and scurried off to lunch. Later on in the afternoon a group of us decided to take a hike through the desert. And by take a hike through the desert, I mean we walked out the kibbutz gate and was was greeted by the rolling sand plains. We walked for about two hours and took a break under a tree we found along a cabbage field. Laying in the sand we went around and talked about where each of us were a year before and why we had come to Israel. It was really interesting to hear all the different reasons as well as some of the similar reasons. After a restful conversation we headed back to the kibbutz and were able to find our way back just find.

When the sun began to go down, it was time for havdalah. After the brief ceremony we sang hatkikvah for the closing song. I thought that sitting in that dark room, singing the national anthem was truly remarkable. Here we had a Jew from France, American liberal Jews, and a goy from Canada who didn't know the havdalah blessing. We all came from very different backgrounds, but when it all came down to it, Israel was what connected us. Israel is the beat that echoes through every Jews heart and connects us as one strong people.

And that was my Shabbat. I did not spend my Friday night studying the Torah portion. I did not spend my Saturday cooped up in Shul, but yet I still feel religiously satisfied. Judaism is more than just the everyday rote that I accustomed myself too. Something that I never thought I would hear myself say murmurs from my lips "There is more than one way to be Jewish." Being Jewish is an amazing thing. And even though some find that amazing'ness in prayer and Mitvot, others find it in the Ahavat Chinam that brings all us Jews together.

~ this is a very old post that was sitting in my draft box half finished since the beginning of the ulpan