The Stranger on the Plane - Shemini

During Chol Hamoed, while travelling from Michigan to Connecticut via plane, I was in a weird spot. As you may have noticed, I took a break from writing during Pesach. I thought about how I would not be posting for a few days, which made me sad. On the other hand, I wasn't particularly inspired to get back into writing post-holiday.

On the plane, I met someone who solved all of my life's problems. The end...

No, we talked about life; the ups, downs, and challenges in between. Most importantly, we talked about Shabbos.

This person is not Jewish. However, she told me that she lights candles every Friday night, and I remember thinking, "Why is this inspiring me?" Then she explained that the candles provide a moment of calm. A way to close out the week. That stuck with me.

Overall, our conversation lasted the entire flight, over an hour. But before we landed, she thanked me. She is not a subscriber; I have no idea if we will ever meet again, yet she thanked me. But I was also thankful for the validation, and the sentiment meant a lot to me. Sometimes you don't feel it, and then something small brings you back.

During this time of year, we talk a lot about Shabbos observance. But to make this more relatable, we shouldn't just talk about the idea of Shabbos observance; it would be more beneficial if we lived it. That woman lights candles every week with no obligation, just because it does something for her. If only I brought that level of interest and intensity to my Shabbos.

So I had this idea. It is called the Shabbos Squad. I want to hear from you what you enjoy about Shabbos. It could be davening Kabbalas Shabbos, it could be resting, or lighting candles. Let's actually live it! To achieve that, I launched a WhatsApp community so you can share your responses. Maybe your special thing is helping someone find their Shabbos moment, or maybe you can create a Shabbos moment for yourself, which in turn might inspire others. Let's join together to make Shabbos and the "ordinary moments" special!

Good Shabbos

All the best

Avroham Y Ross Email ayross@spreadingtorah.com to join!