Super Sabbath (!!!)

This coming Sabbath (yes, I'm aware that it's Sunday, and there are six days to go; I do start anticipating the Sabbath this far in advance...but then, so do the psalms we say each day at the end of morning prayers) is going to be just spectacular, and that is for two reasons.

The more important/exciting reason is that "Shoshana" is finally coming to visit.  She is extremely curious about everything Jewish, and we decided together that the best way to satisfy her curiosity is just to have her come watch and/or participate in a Sabbath. She will witness all Friday night ceremonies; I will translate shorter blessings, and find longer ones in a prayer book with translation for her to read.  While I am praying, I will loan her the most basic work of Jewish theology I own, for her to flip through and pass the time.  Saturday, I am taking her to my wonderful synagogue.  It's going to be great; we're going to have fun.

The other reason is that this Saturday is Rosh Hodesh Elul, the beginning of the Hebrew month of Elul, leading up to the High Holidays in the following month.  You may recall that I found a wonderful Youtube recording of U'N'Taneh Tokef, by the Gevatron.  I have blogged multiple times about U'N'Taneh Tokef, so I will not go into detail; I will say, however, that to me, this prayer is the most special/important part of Rosh HaShanah services, and the second most important/special prayer on Yom Kippur.  I only allow myself to listen to the Gevatron recording from Rosh Hodesh Elul through Yom Kippur; I look forward to it every year.

So that is why I'm so excited for this coming Sabbath.