Day at the Kibbutz and THE WEDDING Last Day in Eliat

We spent the day safe and sound on the Kibbutz - last night was the wedding and we all just went to the pool and enjoyed a leisurely day - also because of the terrorist attacks on the way to Eilat we did not want to go on the roads -

The wedding was so beautiful I was one of the witnesses who signed the Ketuba - A ketubah (Hebrew: כתובה ; "document"; pl. ketubot) is a special type of Jewish prenuptial agreement. It is considered an integral part of a traditional Jewish marriage, and outlines the rights and responsibilities of the groom, in relation to the bride. Being a witness on this very special agreement is significant and an unbelievable honor and I was so touched by this gesture.


The bride and groom got married under the chuppah ;

Customs

Chuppa at a synagogue in Toronto, Canada

A traditional chuppah, especially within Orthodox Judaism, recommends that there be open sky exactly above the chuppah.^[3] If the wedding ceremony is held indoors in a hall, sometimes a special opening is built to be opened during the ceremony. Many Hasidim prefer to conduct the entire ceremony outdoors.

[edit]History and legal aspects

The word chuppah originally appears in the Hebrew Bible (e.g., Joel 2:16; Psalms 19:5). Abraham P. Bloch states that the connection between the term chuppah and the wedding ceremony 'can be traced to the Bible'; however, 'the physical appearance of the chuppah and its religious significance have undergone many changes' since then.^[4]

In biblical times, a couple consummated their marriage in a room.^[5] In Talmudic times, the room where the marriage was consummated was called the chuppah.^[6]

This article is about the rest day in Judaism. For Sabbath in the Bible, see Biblical Sabbath. For the Talmudic tractate, see Shabbat (Talmud). For other uses, see seventh-day Sabbath and first-day Sabbath.

We will attach pictures at a later date - I am writing now on Friday afternoon and Shabbat is closing in which means most everything will not be functioning. 

Shabbat (Hebrew: שַׁבָּת, Modern Shabbat Tiberian Šabbāṯ, Ashkenazi pronunciation: Shabbos, Yiddish: שבת [ˈʃabəs], in English:the Sabbath, "rest" or "cessation") is the seventh day of the Jewish week and a day of rest in Judaism. Shabbat is observed from a few minutes before sunset on Friday evening until a few minutes after the appearance of three stars in the sky^[1] on Saturdaynight. The exact times, therefore, differ from week to week and from place to place, depending on the time of sunset at each location. In polar areas where there is no sunrise or sunset at certain times of the year, a different set of rules applies.

Shabbat candles.

On Shabbat Jews recall the Biblical Creation account in Genesis, describing God creating the Heavens and the Earth in six days and resting on the seventh. It also recalls the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai, when God commanded the Israelite nation to observe the seventh day and keep it holy.

Shabbat is considered a festive day, when a Jew is freed from the regular labors of everyday life, can contemplate the spiritual aspects of life, and can spend time with family. Traditionally, three festive meals are eaten: on Friday night, Saturday morning, and late Saturday afternoon. The day is also noted for those activities prohibited on Shabbat according to halakha (Jewish law).

Tomorrow we are heading out to Eilat and will be visiting and going to a beautiful spot called the Dolphin Reef which has relaxing pools to enjoy the Sea - 

Surrounded by a lush, green botanical garden are three heated pools - the first is deep, with sea water, the second, shallow with soft fresh water (rain water), and the third with salt water with absolute flotation. The special atmosphere and surroundings, underwater music and the “relaxation techniques” demonstrated by the staff, all add to the unique and special experience.

Saturday we leave for home - 

we hope everyone enjoyed our journey - 

Love Bruce and Marilyn