Twilight seems a bit disoriented, and scared. I mean, I did teleport her to Equestria’s moon, but I was given orders. It’s basically Dina D’Malchusa Dina. Can’t go against my boss!

“Noah. please explain to me what the hay is going on? I honestly don’t have any idea why I am on the moon, and why I am face to face with Nightmare Moon!” Twilight says, a bit tempted to use some magic to attack.

“You were told by my boss’ mortal enemy to analyze my people, so I thought giving you a heads up was a proper idea.” I say, trying to comfort the mare. I am not a bad pony or anything, I just want to avenge my people. Is that too much to ask?

“I am afraid my pupil is right, Ms. Sparkle. Noah was just trying to intervene before things went awry. Besides, my sister is always known for doing a lot of silly things. Did she not tell you WHY I got banished to the moon?” Nightmare Moon says,.

“I remember hearing the story as a foal, that you wanted to make Equestria a kingdom of eternal night! Why would you do that?”.

“Hah! Celestia is up to her old tricks with propaganda, I see. That is completely untrue, if not tantamount to libel! Let me tell you the REAL story, young filly.This goes for you, too Noah. It ties in with your noble race as well.” she says, using some of her magic to project images on the wall of her castle, depicting the events she is about to describe.

“Before my sister and I were sovereign rulers of Equestria, the sun and moon were controlled by a council of unicorns. It took all of their magic to do this, and left them completely dry of magic after a year. My sister, only a mere unicorn filly at the time, had an idea. What if one pony could control each celestial body for themselves? I strongly advised my sister against this, warning her that the power of the celestial bodies would drive her mad. She didn’t listen, and staged a coup, killing all of the unicorns, and absorbing the power of the sun for herself. My prediction came to pass, and she could not handle the majesty of the sun. It corrupted her, turning her into an evil version of herself; Daybreaker. She also got a pair of wings to boot ” Luna says, shivering at the thought.

“What? Celestia would never do that. Why would she even think of something like that? You must be lying, Nightmare Moon!” Twilight accuses.

“I am many things. Cold, maternal, and even a warrior, but a liar I am not, Twilight. I believe this Hebrew colt next to you has proven this already.” Luna responds.

“It’s true, Twilight. She was right about my people’s history, so she must be telling the truth about this as well.” I replied.

“Anyways, let me finish. My sister, now the corrupted Daybreaker, wanted to rule Equestria with an iron hoof, believing her new alicorn form to be the superior pony race. I pleaded with her to stop, and she attacked me in cold blood. I had no choice but to absorb the powers of the moon to stand a chance against her. I also got transformed into an alicorn, gaining my form of Nightmare Moon. Thankfully, the powers of the moon are much gentler than the sun, and I got to keep my sanity. The very idea of me as a villain is a fabrication of my sister!” Luna says, trying to stay calm.

“We fought for many hours, almost burning Equestria to a crisp. My sister was crazy enough to summon the Elements of Harmony to end the fight once and for all. These artifacts are more powerful than anything, even more than atom bombs on Earth, Noah. She banished me here and decided that since I was out of the picture, she could begin her campaign of being worshipped as a god. Not only did she succeed in this regard on Equestria, but even on Earth, as well. When I refused to lower the moon, it was to tell her she was out of her mind, not to rule Equestria in eternal night!” Luna says, breaking out into tears.

I feel really bad for my boss. I had no idea how traumatic her relationship with Celestia was, and how evil she could be. I walked over to her and gave her a hug, the biggest hug I could possibly give. I know I am not really supposed to, because of Shomer Negiah, but she is a freaking magical pony! I pasken it only applies to humans.

“Thank you, dear Noah. I can only imagine how you must have felt when I told you she aided the Axis powers. Now you know how I feel.” Luna says, embracing me as well.

I looked at Twilight and saw she was on the brink of freaking out. HER teacher, the one that exalts the Magic of Friendship, is a genocidal tyrant, who killed ponies for power, and then wanted to be worshipped as a god in multiple universes?

“I...I don’t know what to say anymore. My whole life must be a lie...I spent every waking moment of my 18 years following in her footsteps, going to her school, emulating her.” Twilight says, sweating profusely at the thought of the true potential of her teacher.

“Here is what you are going to do, Twilight Sparkle. I am going to send you back to Equestria, where you will do whatever Celestia asks of you. I presume she wants you and five other ponies to become the next generation of Element Bearers. Find these five ponies, and tell them of the truth behind Celestia. At the Summer Sun Celebration in 18 months time, instead of using these elements on me, use them on Celestia. Give her a taste of her own medicine! It is a matter of life and death, Twilight Sparkle!” Nightmare Moon says, using her more regal voice, as if to give a command. “I will stay on the moon with Noah, and continue to train him in the occult of his tradition. In 18 months, I posit he will be a gifted mage like you, dear.” Luna says, before looking at the time on my watch.

“Oh dear! Noah, Shabbos is fast approaching. I would recommend doing your afternoon prayers now and prepare for Shabbos.” Luna says, using her magic to alert me of the time on my magical watch.

“Oh dear, you are right, Luna. I got to daven Mincha now!” I say, quickly running off to my chambers to get my siddur.

“Where is Noah going?” Twilight asks Nightmare Moon, who just laughs.

“He is an observant Hebrew, remember? He has his prayers to the Elohim deity in his universe. Frankly, if I was you I would stay for the Shabbos Celebrations. You could learn a thing or two about Noah’s culture. I have been to many over the centuries.” Luna says, remembering her time having Shabbos dinner with Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi in 220 CE.

I take a good 30 minutes to daven Mincha, and I come back, wearing more appropriate clothing for Shabbos. How exactly Luna managed to turn all of my clothes into pony-appropriate attire is beyond me, but it’s pretty cool. At least I don’t have to button my shirts anymore, I can just use telekinesis!

“So, Twilight, are you staying on the moon for Shabbos?” I ask the mulberry unicorn, who shrugs. “I don’t see why not. I can just tell Princess Celestia I was on Earth doing a culture thing. She probably wouldn’t care.” Twilight says, slightly unnerved with lying to her teacher, but kind of comfortable after learning what she is really capable of doing.

I use some magic to summon my guitar back on Earth, and I tune it.

“Noah, why did you summon a guitar?” Twilight Sparkle asks me, a bit confused about what I am going to do.

“Well, since Shabbos is coming. I have to do Kabbalas Shabbos now” I say, realizing I can use my magic to tune it, rather than do it manually. So cool!

“Ah, I remember this, Noah. Your liturgy is truly beautiful, my dear.” Luna says.

Good thing my mom encouraged me to be a musician. I went through the entire Kabbalas Shabbos liturgy with the melodies of Shlomo Calrebach. The service consists of a poem called Yedid Nefesh, which is an acrostic of the Tetragrammaton, Psalms 95-99, as well as Psalms 29, a poem called Ana B’koach, and the climax of the service, Lecha Dodi, followed by Psalms 92-93, said when Shabbos is moments away from starting. My davening, singing, and music brings tears to Twilight’s eyes, as Luna reminisces about her time in Israel over the generations, learning and teaching with my ancestors.

“It’s… beautiful. I have no idea why Princess Celestia hates your people, Noah. I don’t get it.” Twilight says, enjoying the music.

“Beats me.” I say, putting my guitar away, since Shabbos is moments away. Luna uses some magic to summon two candlesticks (and candles) from earth, and makes the blessing bringing in Shabbos:

בָּרוּך אַתָּה ה׳ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלָךְ הָעוֹלָם אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו וְצִוָנוּ לְהַדְלִיק נֵר שֶׁל שַׁבָּת

Blessed are You, Lord our G-d, King of the Universe, who has sanctified us with commandments, and commanded us to light Shabbos candles.

“Amen. Good Shabbos, Luna!” I say.

“Good Shabbos, dear. You know. I actually did convert to your faith when Abraham asked me to, so the blessing is valid.” Luna says, reassuring me of any doubts that she was just LARPing to make me feel comfortable. I didn’t notice this before, but apparently Luna already had a Shabbos table set up, complete with two Challah loaves, Kiddush wine, and an assortment of traditional Jewish comfort foods.

“Don’t say I didn’t come prepared, Noah.” Luna says, pointing to the table. “You did that for me?” I ask, getting a bit emotional. “Uh, yeah! I told you I am Jewish, dear.” Luna says.

The three of us go to the table. I make Kiddush on the wine, Luna and I wash our hands for Netilas Yadayim, and I make the Bracha on the Challah. Twilight seems confused by all of the ritual, but didn’t particularly care, since the potato kugel was delicious! Even though I miss Shabbos on Earth, the Shabbos I had on Equestria’s moon was actually the best Shabbos of my life!

Author's Note

AUTHOR’S NOTE

GLOSSARY:

Dina D’Malchusa Dina: a principle in Jewish religious law that the civil law of the country is binding upon the Jewish inhabitants of that country, and, in certain cases, is to be preferred to Jewish law.
Pasken: Verbal form of Posek, referring to a modern legal ruling pertaining to Jewish law.

Shabbos: The Jewish Sabbath, may also be referred to as Shabbat.

Shomer Negiah: refers to one who keeps the laws of Negiah, which forbids or restricts physical contact with a member of the opposite sex.

Daven: Yiddish word for pray

Mincha: Afternoon daily prayers

Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi: a second-century rabbi and chief redactor and editor of the Mishnah. He lived from approximately 135 to 217 CE. He was a key leader of the Jewish community during the Roman occupation of Judea.
Kabbalas Shabbos: Esoteric set of prayers first introduced in Safed, Israel in the 16th century to welcome Shabbos. Shabbos is often personified as a queen or a bride in these prayers.

Shlomo Carlebach: a Rabbi, religious teacher, spiritual leader, composer, and singer dubbed "the singing rabbi" during his lifetime. Considered by many to be the foremost Jewish religious songwriter of the 20th century.

Kiddush: Blessing on the Wine said before the Shabbos meal, also sanctifies the day itself.

Challah: special bread of Ashkenazi Jewish origin, usually braided and typically eaten on ceremonial occasions such as Shabbos and major Jewish holidays (other than Passover). Ritually acceptable Challah is made of dough from which a small portion has been set aside as an offering. Challah may also refer to the dough offering, and any bread that is made for Shabbat, or from which an offering is taken.

Netilas Yadayim: Blessing said during the ritual washing of the hands before eating Challah, an homage to purity laws of the Jewish Temple Era.

Bracha: Hebrew for Blessing