"A few weeks ago, I spent Shabbos in Baltimore with a group of friends. On Friday night, we davened in your shul. To say that it was inspiring is a tremendous understatement. A peak through the mechitzah seeing so many types of Jews davening in harmony to the welcoming speech at the end was one level.

But what moved me most, and I believe my friends, as well, was the magnificent singing of Lecha Dodi. The tune was so moving and the harmony so uplifting, I so clearly felt Shabbos descend on your little shul that night.  And as the melody resonated in my soul, I could see through the mechitzah the men dancing, some of them with little children on their shoulders, and all I could think was, they are really greeting Shabbos!

 At that moment, I closed my eyes and could almost see the swaying apple trees in the fields near Tzfat where the students of the Arizal would greet Shabbos clad in long white robes. As the dancing circle of men drifted to their seats, the spell lifted – or rather, the spell came upon us – and a distinct sensation was so noticeably apparent: Shabbos is here."