Congratulations and blessings to all of you who are taking part in this really exciting global project and our branch of it, Shabbat UK. Shabbat is such a central element of Jewish life and if I would define what it's about, it's about combating some of the material influences of a consumer society, which teaches us to see the price of things but not the value of things.
Shabbat is the time when we celebrate the things that have value but don't have a price.
It's celebrating with family, it's celebrating with friends, it's joining in a community, it's sharing our prayers, it's studying together.
And I can't think of any project more beautifully poised to bring Jews around the world together in the fulfilment of this one great mitzvah. You know, I want to give my congratulations to Chief Rabbi Mirvis for initiating this great project, as indeed Chief Rabbi Warren Goldstein of South Africa, who initiated it originally.
It's a terrific idea and I think Shabbat is the time to recharge our souls.
So have a wonderful Shabbat, many congratulations and what can I say but Shabbat Shalom.
