Shabbat in Jerusalem
“I spent a very pleasant Shabbas in Jerusalem. I went to the main Shul in the morning. It was packed & only standing room could be had. The city traffic was dead except for people walking & UN & diplomats cars.”
“Last night (Fri.night) I went to a Shul in Meah Shearim ... It sure was an experience.
August 31, 1957
“The Shabbas here was beautiful. Buses weren’t running and only a few cars moved to break Shabbas”
“Today was a most thrilling day. In Yerushalaim they say “Birkat Cohanim” on every Shabbas, so today I duchened (gave the blessing of Cohen) in the Holy City. It was a great feeling” Saturday night July 27
July 27, 1957
“Now Jerusalem has arisen as the stores open & traffic begins again.”
August 31, 1957
David's Comments
Shabbat in 1957 Jerusalem
Bob under talit giving bircat kohanim.
Shabbat in 1957 - No walking to the Kotel
As a Jew, there was nothing more special to my father than experiencing a Shabbat in the Holy City of Jerusalem. As a Cohen, he was particularly thrilled to bless the congregation with the “Birchat Cohenim”, a blessing that Ashkenazy Jews can only recite in Israel.
In 1957, was there no such thing as a Shabbas stroll to the Kotel, since it was in Jordanian hands at that time. There also was no “Great Synagogue” to attend in those days. “Heichal Shlomo” just got under construction in 1958.
1957 vs today
In 1957, there were no public buses running on Shabbat and very few cars were on the roads in violation of the Shabbat.
Today, there are many neighborhoods that are completly closed on Shabbat. The Shabbat atmosphere can still be felt as there is no public transportation in Jerusalem. Nevertheless, in many parts of the city one can see many cars on the roads, and many stores are open on Shabbat.
LINKS:
Siren in Jerusalem welcoming the arrival of the holy Sabbath https://youtu.be/8UJegXGbN2c