This week I went to my hair stylist*, Erez, for a quick haircut around lunch time.

I’ve been a loyal customer since moving to Modi’in, Israel ten years ago. He does a nice job cutting my hair (sadly, there is less hair to work with as time passes) and I enjoy talking to him. After quickly catching up, we started chatting about whether Israel will ever extend its weekend and officially make Sunday a day off.

Erez is a secular Israeli, but somehow the conversations in his salon often seem to wind up being about Judaism. This time was no different.

“I would love to have Sundays off,” I said. ** (I’m paraphrasing all quotes here, because note-taking would have required body and head movements that may have endangered my fabulous hair cut). “As a religious dad in Israel, it’s really difficult to go on fun family trips. My oldest is in elementary school and my middle child is in daycare Sunday through Friday, and they have after-school activities and homework. On Friday we prepare for Shabbat, and then on Shabbat we don’t drive.”

“So keep being religious,” Erez said with a smile, “But make an exception and start driving on Shabbat.”

“I LOVE not driving on Shabbat,” I answered. “As a person who grew up mostly secular but is now observant, I know what both lifestyles are like. And for me, being disconnected and at home on Shabbat is heaven.

“All week I am a slave to my cell phone and I’m usually rushing. And of course my kids constantly want to be watching TV or an iPad. On Shabbat, we all totally unplug for 25 straight hours and finally have time to talk, laugh, play, read, rest and eat together. It’s amazing family time and it makes me happy. It’s real freedom,” I said. “Plus, my kids learn that they can survive, and even have fun, without the electronics.”

Erez’s response surprised me. I’ve heard him criticize various aspects of Judaism/organized religion on a few occasions, and I expected him to do so again. But he cut against the grain (no pun intended).

“If I were ever to become religious, THAT would be the reason why. My kids are already a bit older than yours and our Shabbatot are so hectic. My kids expect us to go somewhere fun every Shabbat and when we are at home, they are on their phones and the TV is always on in the background.

“I told my wife that we should try a religious-style Shabbat once a month, but I think it’s too late now. My kids didn’t grow up like that and I’m not sure they would go for it,” Erez said.

I told Erez that even starting with a few small steps to disconnect on Shabbat could enhance family time and bring more joy to his family life. But we didn’t continue talking much longer, because Erez finished cutting my hair and I was worried that I hadn’t checked work emails for the past 40 minutes…

*It seems weird to use the term “hair stylist” when I get what my dad calls a “boy’s regular” haircut that takes about 15 minutes total, but Erez does style men and women’s hair.

**We spoke solely in Hebrew, so picture my quotes being delivered in a terrible American accent, with a few grammar/style mistakes.