I finally found it…

For  a while now I’ve been on the lookout for something that’s been missing from my apartment. It’s a bit ironic that my apartment is lacking this particular item, since my landlord is an Orthodox Jew, but needless to say it’s been absent….

I’m talking about a mezuzah!

When I first moved to Israel, I blogged about my first experience with the mezuzah, and since then I have always had one wherever I lived…. except now.

Yesterday I headed over to Jerusalem to spend some time with my home church Pastor and his wife, who were here on a tour, and believe it or not I FINALLY found a mezuzah in the Old City that I really liked!

I decided to hang it on the doorpost of my bedroom instead of on the outside of my apartment (just to be on the safe side), but after I hung it I realized it was the perfect place for it.

I’m super happy with my new addition!

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It’s Sukkot Time Again

This month has been one big holiday… first Rosh HaShana then Yom Kippur, and now Sukkot.  Last year at this time I was in my old apartment in Ramat Gan, and my flat-mate turned our varanda into a beautiful Sukkah.  This year I have no varanda, so I wasn’t really going to do anything for Sukkot until inspiration struck early this morning.

The sukkah is a temporary dwelling of remembrance (click here to read last years post explaining the meaning and origin of this Jewish Holiday); therefore, I’m making my temporary dwelling in my living room….

Mine is far from professional, but if you’re interested in one that is, take a fast forward look into building an outside sukkah:

Chag Semeach Everyone!!! חג סוכות שמח!

Yom Kippur: The Day of Atonement and Bicycles

Tel Aviv. Not exactly the ‘holy city’ like Jerusalem and not exactly the quiet atmosphere of the Galilee…. but every city in all of Israel comes together for this day.

No public transportation. No personal vehicles allowed on any street.  No stores or businesses open…. nothing but a day of country-wide fasting…. and bike riding.

It’s traditional on Yom Kippur, because of the no-car rule, for everyone to ride their bicycles in the streets.  Here are a couple pics down on the beach road of good ol’ Tel Aviv.  I will admit it was kinda cool walking down the middle of the road with everyone else, not having to worry about traffic!

שנה טובה! Happy Jewish New Year!

Today is the Jewish Holiday, Rosh Hashana, the New Year.  This Jewish year is 5771… as you can see a bit older than our current 2010.

One thing I love about living in Israel has been learning more about the rich Jewish culture I am apart of. Bringing in the new year with apples, honey, and pomegranates are a few things we eat as well as hearing the shofar blowing across the land.

In honor of the celebration and the New Year, I am spending a few days up north in Haifa, to get away for the busyness and craziness of Tel Aviv.  I didn’t hear too many shofars blowing up here last night, but I did hear lots of booming firecrackers.

As most of you are beginning a new school year back home, and fall is approaching, it’s a new season for you as well…. even if it doesn’t involve a new calendar year.  So, Happy New Year from the Holy Land… lets make this one a great one!

and the winner is……kosher (ummm, not so much)!

I had originally wrote this post back in April of this year, when swine flu peeked its nasty head into the world.  Well, 7 months later, and I’m singing a new tune.  I guess I wrote a little hastely about the outbreak (now called H1N1), cuz here’s the thing:

I GOT IT 😦 (and its spreading through Israel, like the States too)

Yep.  I got hit by the little pig-snorting flu, and let me just say its not fun at all! Those pigs know how to take vengence on the human race.  I’m spending lots of time in bed, drinking lots of OJ and cough syrup, and feeling pretty miserable.

This isn’t over PIG!  I will survive you’re evil plan…..

(Here’s the original post:)

This is one good thing about living in Israel ……. I don’t think we will be seeing any of those Swine Flu Outbreaks over here.

(Finally, a good reason to eat kosher)

hehehehee.

…and that baby pig is way too cute to eat….doesn’t anyone remember the movie, Babe?

Update:  Oh no!  It looks like we have a case.  Someone came back from Mexico, but luckily he’s been detained and treated….whew!  We won’t stand for any type of flu that is NOT kosher!!! 🙂

Update #2: 2nd case in Kfar Saba has been confirmed.  Another man returning from Mexico, expected to make a full-recovery.  Why r Israeli’s going to Mexico???????

Update 3#: WE NOW HAVE A CONFIRMED CASE RIGHT HERE IN TEL AVIV! ISH!!!

Sukkot (סוכות)

Tonight was the last night of the 7 day holiday celebrated in Israel called Sukkot. Since I was back in the States during the beginning of it, I missed out on the festivities my flat-mates held at our apartment.

During Sukkot (aka: The Feast of the Tabernacles found in Lev. 23:33-44) Israeli’s are called to remember the time in which the Israelites wandered in the desert for 40 years, with no permanent house dwelling.  The word Sukkot is the plural form of the Hebrew word, Sukka, which means booth or hut, in remembrance of the fragile dwellings the Israelites lived in during these times.

My flat-mate turned our varanda into a sukka, which technically we are supposed to eat and sleep under. I did eat under it (though I eat most of my meals on the varanda), but sleeping out there didn’t quite happen 🙂  I think she did a really good job, and I was pleasantly surprised, returning home to see our varanda all “sukkoted out”. (I really don’t think that is a word). hehehe

Happy Last day of Sukkot!

חג שבעות- The Feast of Weeks

Starting at 5pm tonight (Thursday) we celebrate yet another holiday, The Feast of Weeks, or Pentecost as its called in the states.  It comes exactly 50 days after Passover, which is now! It marks the giving of the Torah to Israel on Mount Sinai.

How does The Feast of Weeks overlap with Pentecost.  Well, after the crucifixion of Jesus, the disciples had gathered together to celebrate the festival (as good Jewish would) when what was known as the outpouring of the Holy Spirit came upon them and tongues of fire rested above their heads.  

So there you have it. Once again. The same holiday celebrated for two different reasons…

Jewish: The Feast of Weeks 

Christian: the Pentecost

I will be be celebrating both, thank you very much, and enjoying my Friday and Saturday as a holiday 🙂