Shabbat Under the Stars

September 6th 2019

As the summer wanes, we come together for this very special service. We daven Kabbalat Shabbat in our courtyard under the stars, followed by a delicious dinner prepared by our beloved Ayin Chefs. It is a signature event for our community, as we see each another again after the summer.

Praying outside under the stars is deeply rooted in our tradition. The Talmud tells an account of Rabbi Chanina, who would wrap himself in his cloak and say, “Come, let us go and greet the Shabbat Queen.” Rabbi Yannai would don his robe and say, “Enter O bride! Enter, O bride!”

Inspired by the ancient rabbis, the circle of Jewish scholars and mystics in Sefat who developed the Kabbalat Shabbat service would wrap themselves in tallitot and go outside to greet Shabbat.