More Shuk

Shuk Attack

Here is a dash of videos featuring Natalie, me and my father, VADE, who is here visiting over the coming weeks. No words necessary.

Heatwave and other updates

We are having a heatwave.

We have discovered sage and sugar tea.

We went olive picking in the West Bank. We are going to write a long entry about it. But not while there is a heatwave.

We are being visited by Vade. We enjoy family and want more of you to visit.

Just Walking Around

Today Josh and I went to Renewal services which involved a lot of singing and drums and unrolling the entire Torah and holding it up for way way too long. I'll let Josh explain why we did this.

But.....after that we had a really nice picnic with some of Josh's classmates from his school here, the Conservative Yeshiva. Also joining us were old friends from RRC who are studying here this year, Jessica and Derek. Or Derrica. I'm so glad Derrica are here because I seriously seriously doubt I could do this year without their good moods and kindness.

On the way home I took some photos of pomegranate and citrus trees. Israel is the land of really really good fruit. But...the apples here are not that good. Everything else, when it comes to fruit, is spectacular.

The pomegranate in question. I love the flowery opening at the bottom.

Citrus tree and citrus.

Sukkot

Though the holiday is nearly at an end, Jerusalem and the whole country continues to feel celebratory. All across the city little huts with bamboo roofs have been built. It's Sukkot. It's awesome.

Here's a series of photos. Searching for the right Etrog. And then as we headed up into the northern regions, some food, and explorations. Finally, shaking the Lulav and Etrog in a crazy place named Arbel, where, according to the Talmud, redemption will begin.

Breaking the Fast

Post Yom Kippur Josh and I broke the fast with Sam and Sacha. Much damage to food was done. Look at how happy we all look--it's because we are finally eating!

Penultimate Night: Pilgrimage to Wall

Several hours after Shabbat had gone out, we headed toward the Old City with our friends Sam and Sacha. Hordes of folks, still in their Shabbat finery were perusing the brand new, high-end, outdoor mall in Mamilla. It was the first time we had been there. Amazingly, after a few city blocks worth of Gap, Catsro, cigar shops, Stiematsky's, cafes, etc., you pop out right at the Yaffo Gate.

There were strong streams of Jerusalmites making their way toward the Jewish Quarter. Many chickens were available for the pre-Yom Kippur ritual of Kapparot. The chicken is swung around the head of a person, who transfers their sins upon the animal. (Not a very compassionate activity.)

The scene at the wall was both insanity and ecstatic. Natalie and Sam saw Ovadia Yosef (spiritual leader of Shas) enter wearing a full turban. Sacha and I pushed our way to the wall where a profound silence reigned.

Getting out I kept having flash memories of stories from Mecca, where dozens of people are crushed in religious festivals. Luckily, we escaped via the Dung Gate, walked around Mt. Zion, and caught a cab back home.

Again, junky movie clips, but they capture some of the moment. I especially like the one with the Kaddish being recited.