The Shabbos Effect

Kingston Avenue. Main street of the Jewish quarter, you could not find a busier street if you tried. Not in this part of New York. Week long the sidewalks are crowded with people; bochrim rushing to yishiva, men to kollel, women with carriages out for a bit of sun, doing the shopping, and everyone shcmoozimg. The street is packed with cars, the horns blaring, no-one has patiences, everyone is in a rush.

Come sundown Friday, the place is changed. The shops are closed, there is peace. People walk slow and calm, no rushing, no pushing. It's Shabbos. The street is empty but for a few lone cars passing through. The transformation is astounding.