Shiloh is Growing- See The New Streets

This week one of my walking buddies and I  decided to explore the new streets in Shiloh. We've both been living in Shiloh since almost the very beginning. In those days and even the entire first decade or more, it wasn't hard for us to know absolutely everyone who lived here including their children and "back stories." But now, over forty years since the return of Jewish Life to Shiloh, we've long passed the tipping point. Shiloh is a town of neighborhoods. I'm thankful to Gd that I, at 70+, can still walk from the "bottom" to the top where I live, but I have neighbors, even younger, who can't.

Most of the new housing is being built by Amana, but it's still possible to buy land and build your own home in addition to the option of purchasing an older home.

Like every place else in the world, each street/neighborhood has its own personality and quirks. When  my friend and I moved to Shiloh with our young families, we didn't even have phones in the beginning. At that time, such a situation wasn't a rarity in Israel. But today with all the smartphones and computers there's great communication and much easier contact between people. Most neighborhoods have their own whatsapp groups to share information, instead of knocking on doors or meeting outside or at the grocery store or in the bus or the schools. And concerning education in Shiloh, today a child can start as a baby in the local daycare center and continue in Shiloh until high school graduation.

Today there are two large supermarkets in Shiloh and two clinics. Also most people have cars. My husband and I are in the tiny minority of those totally dependent on public transportation and the goodness of others. This new neighborhood has been built with driveways for each house.

Since most people travel by car, whether their own or tremps/rides in others, getting to Petach Tikva takes no longer than to Jerusalem, and to the Jordan Valley can be a much shorter ride. Actually, Shiloh is in the true Center of Israel.

I've lost track of how many people live here in Shiloh. Many of the families are what's called "dor hemshech," continuing generation, having grown up in Shiloh and wanting to raise their children as part of a larger family. Others grew up in different yishuvim and want the community life you can't get any place else. We have new and more veteran immigrants from all over and of course those who grew up in different parts of Israel.

Of course, I shouldn't leave out the fact that Shiloh is the biblical Shiloh where the Mishkan, Tabernacle was located for close to four hundred 400 years. There's a lovely archeological park called Shiloh Hakeduma.

For anglos who may be curious, there are certainly enough English speakers to make one feel comfortable, but here in Shiloh you'll learn Hebrew. It's not an anglo "bubble/ghetto." You can always contact me if you have any questions.

Here are some pictures. Enjoy.

Counting The Omer, Easier Than Trying to Calculate The End of Corona Lock-down

Here we are a week before Passover aka Pesach, and this used to* be the season when we'd sign up for various reminders to help us remember to Count The Omer, Sefirat Ha'Omer, the seven weeks, forty-nine 49 days between the second night of Passover and the Eve of Shavuot.

*Why did I write "used to?"
I wrote "used to," because today when most everyone has some sort of cell phone with alarm clock, you can just set your phone to be your daily alarm.
This method is fine on week nights, but it doesn't work Shabbat and the eve of the last night of Passover. I came up with a simple method that works for me.
I hang up a sign across from where I like to sit in the living room. As you can see, before  Shabbat or the holiday, I write the number of the Omer I must count. I've found that to be a very reliable reminder. 

Counting the Omer was one of the most difficult mitzvot for me to observe in the early decades of my being Torah observant.

When I became religious in the mid-1960s, there was no reminder system. Only men who went to the synagogue every night to doven/pray Ma'ariv with a minyon had it as their easy to remember routine.

I didn't succeed in counting the Omer until our son-in-law came on the scene and signed us up for reminders with the cell phone company he was then working for. It was around the same time email reminders had begun, but I didn't check my email as often as I do now. So email wasn't the best, just better than nothing.

Maybe I'm the only one who has already lost track of how many days/weeks we've been on this corona lock-down, living with what was once unimaginable restrictions. Not only don't we know when it's going to end, we're constantly being warned that the noose aka restrictions maybe getting tighter.

Most people can adjust to something difficult when they know how long it will last. But even with all the complicated computations and guesswork the experts have been coming up with, there are too many unknowns to factor in for any accuracy. Another issue is that the virus is affecting various countries differently.

We must combine strict obedience and "letting go." There certainly is an inconsistency in that. But that's how we must live in the near future. We must make our efforts, mask ourselves when outside and stay inside as much as possible. Instead of doing our own shopping and choosing the choicest fruits and vegetables, we send in our orders and thank the staff of the local store. It's a new life for us.

Trust and faith are all we can control.

Chazal, our sages tell us that the plague, epidemic, which caused the death of thousands of Rabbi Akiva's students ended Shavuot. That's one of the reasons we count the Omer until then.

Gd willing we'll celebrate the end of this modern plague במהירה בימינו bimhaira biyameinu, speedily in our days.

The Truth About Purim, Via Facebook Live

Reflecting on Purim, Corona virus, Jewish History and Jewish Life today.

Just to warn you, I generally come up with unique opinions.

I'd like to know what you think, even if you don't agree with me. Let's agree to disagree, but please listen first.

Have a wonderful week. Stay healthy best you can and keep your sense of humor.

What's New in The Jewish Blog World? 1st Roundup of 5780

Once upon a time there was a weekly Jewish Blog Carnival, Havel Havelim, which featured the latest blog posts from a great variety of Jewish and Israeli blogs. It was hosted by the various bloggers and had a nice international following. If you click on these old HH's and then check out the posts, you'll discover that many of the blogs have been discontinued. Some are still online, but others can't be found at all. My blogs are among the very few old time blogs still being updated, though not daily. Until a few months ago, I blogged on both blogs daily even when it required writing in advance and having the post go up automatically on a later day. But as of late I've become an occasional blogger. Sometimes I think I've said it all, just too many times.

One of the great bonuses of blogging way back when was the community we established. Even though we were in different cities and countries, we became friends. And in some cases our friendships escaped the "confines" of the internet. Yes, quite a few of us have met in person.

According to Oscar Wilde:

"Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery that mediocrity can pay to greatness.”

I'm amused and saddened by the fact that all sorts of mainstream journalism, newspapers, news sites etc, have convinced people to "blog" for them. Even I have arrangements with a few, but my condition is always that I can post from my blogs, including the link. All of this free writing has made it much more difficult for people to earn a living as freelance writers.

Back to what I call "independent blogs," there's still blogging going on. And now I occasionally post a blog "carnival" or "roundup" of blog posts. To spark curiosity, I just give a list of titles in no particular order, not mentioning the names of the blogs. Click, read, comment and share. Also, if you have any blogs to recommend, please let me know in the comments. I'd also like to know which blog post you enjoy the most. Of course, I'm not responsible for any opinions in the posts, besides what I've written of course.

Now, it's time to enjoy.

2 Stories for Yom Kippur: Unexpected Bus Magic
Shutting Down, Starting Anew (guest post)
Remembering Ari Fuld z"l and Yehoshua Friedberg z"l
Lessons from a pie
Four beers for the record
The Rabbi and the Mammoth
Parshat Shavua Thoughts, Is "Vayelech" Connected to "Lech Lecha?"
Somewhere Over the Rainbow
Is Jewish History Repeating Itself?
"Blue & White," Follow The Money
We Blew It: On The Prohibited Sounding of the Shofar
Are Synagogue Prayers on Rosh HaShannah and Yom Kippur too Long?
The Purpose of Exile: Converts (Haazinu)
Tasty and Simple 21st Century Tzimmes
Have we Learned to Learn Lessons?
The Bible Can’t Be Jewish Because It Doesn’t Mention ‘Tikkun Olam’
Frugal Adventure to Beit Shemesh, Plus: Pishers' Guide to Beit Shemesh #1
G-d Rewards Failure (Derashah, Yom Kippur 5780)

Chag Sameach
Have a Wonderful Holiday

Keeping Cool Blog Carnival, Summer 5779, 2019

Forecast is for scorching hot weather today, so get comfortable and stay in the shade, indoors or out.

There's always something to read on the internet. No, not the news, just blogs, Jewish/Israeli ones. They're independent, unique, quirky. If you have any for me to add to my blog rolls, please let me know in the comments here. You can read them at home, breaks at work, eating or lazing by the pool, on your computer, phone, tablet and probably even a smart television, so relax and enjoy this selection of of recommended blog posts.

As is my practice, I'm just going to list titles of articles aka blog posts to whet your curiosity. Enjoy, comment and share.  I'd love your opinions, so don't be shy. Just a reminder, I'm not responsible for the content of the individual articles.

The French (Jewish) Connection
Jerusalem Gateway Project Closes Shazar Street
The Eternal Man (Pinchas)
About That Gorgeous Sequin Top I Wore to US Embassy Bash
The History of the Israeli Community of Ramat Trump
Israeli Elections 2019 Redo, I'm Bored & You?
Nostalgia, Thy Name is Potomac
Shevet Brewery comes out of the shadows
Perfectly Simple Stuffed Squash
Life is good, healing is miraculous
WATCH: Israelis Save Lives of Thousands of Kids from 60 Countries Around World!
With help from the heavens
Try, Try, and Try Again… The Right Way
Letters from Israel
Chaim Potok Goes to Camp...Betar
Rosh Chodesh Av, Ladies, Join Us in Prayer\
A Month of Vacation in a Week

Which is your favorite? And if there's something you don't like, please let me know in the comments, thanks.

Three 3 Weeks to Purim 5779 Jewish Israeli Blog Roundup

Not only is it three weeks to Purim, but we're just over a month to the 2019, 5779 Israeli Knesset Elections. Generally these two topics generate some very interesting Jewish Israeli blog posts.



I hope you enjoy the selection of blog posts, I've chosen. Please check them out, comment and share, and if you have any additional blogs to suggest, please let me know in the comments, thanks. As is my custom, I'm just listing titles here. Enjoy.

Jerusalem "Big Blue" Lions to The 2019 Finals!
Gala World Betar Reunion, Updated
The Misleading Times of Israel
Generational Baton (Vayakhel)
Searching for Family Roots/Stories, The Spiegelman's of Nasielsk*, Poland
Eating My Way Through (Her) Cancer
Beginning - Middle - End
Who Wrote: "We must be free of the Arabs"?
Dershowitz explains why indicting Netanyahu over petty issues is bad for democracy
Leadership Bankruptcy in NRP aka Jewish Home Party
why is Shas about to disappear? (video)
Hamas Still Fighting a Losing Battle…Against Israeli Food Products
Oh My Goodness (OMG) from Beer Bazaar
Kushner "Peace" sic Deal- Dumb and Dangerous
1001 objects from Israel - The Suspicious Object
The Importance of Being Lit

Which was your favorite and least favorite post? You can tell me in comments, thanks.

Yom Kippur Fasting, Only if Doctor Approves

At yesterday's pre-Yom Kippur shiur, class/talk, in the neighborhood we were taught a Mishna about the basic laws of the holiest day in the Jewish Year. It begins by saying that eating and drinking are forbidden, as are bathing, oiling the skin and wearing leather shoes. A bit later, it lists the exceptions.

Considering that most everyone in the room was of what we'll call senior citizens or close to it, the exceptions for medical reasons was the topic many discussed while leaving. Actually, the first example of someone who could eat on Yom Kippur was a pregnant woman who craves some food she smells. The instructions are that she eat, until her soul calms down.

After that a few medical conditions are described, though not in modern terms. The "cure" in all cases is to eat/drink until the person seems recovered.

Nowadays, eating on Yom Kippur is usually permitted in advance for people who are prescribed certain medications, which should not be taken on an empty stomach. Since I live near the local synagogue, a neighbor has left food in my house for Yom Kippur eating. One year, before lighting the pre-Yom Kippur candles, I set up my fridge lights as or Shabbat, so I could open it without turning on the light. At the time I felt a bit foolish, since we don't need food on Yom Kippur, thank Gd, bli eyin haraa. But that year a neighbor unexpectedly needed to eat something for medical reasons, and I was able to serve her, even though unplanned.

These are the big questions for most:

• Whom do we ask about the possible dangers of fasting when suffering certain medical conditions? 
• Under what circumstance are we permitted or even required to eat on Yom Kippur?

Generally one is supposed to consult with a rabbi on matters of Jewish Law, but how much real medical knowledge does your rabbi have? Even doctors have specialties and patients are referred to specific doctors to treat different conditions. There are rabbis who recommend that the questioner consult with their doctor rather than making what is actually a medical decision. That is wisest and safest. 

Remember that Judaism promotes life, not endangering oneself. The fasting on Yom Kippur is important, but  it's not the essence of the day. The essence, the aim of Yom Kippur is our Teshuva, Repentance.

One of the reasons I make a Rosh Hashana "Fruit Head" is for a Healthy New Year

Blog Hopping, Pre-Passover Roundup

If you need a break, why not visit a few blogs. I'm just listing a bunch of post titles. Read, comment and share. They are also Kosher for Passover. Enjoy!

The Narrative
We Were Not Illegal Migrants in Egypt!
Conversations you overhear in Israel (Forest Rain)
Jimmy Carter, The Peanut Calling the Kettle Black
The Hurva Synagogue
The Oscar Nominated Film about the Four Sons at the Seder
Which Paschal Sacrifice Ceremony You Attending?
37 Hours
Jerusalem Big Blue Lions Win Second Championship in a Row 2018
Should You Be Juggling More…or Less?
"For the Redemption of Zion"
Here's How to EmPOWer Your Healing Efforts!
Two Years Since My Father Died...


Read, comment and share. What's your favorite? Let me know in the comments, thanks.

Modern Jews Descended from Biblical Jews* (Completed)

Apparently, I either erased the ending of this post or never finished writing it before originally posting. Now, it's complete. Sorry for the mess.

One of the simplest proofs that today's Jews are the direct descendants of Biblical Jews can be found in the language of the Bible, the text, narrative and lettering.

Even at the peak of the great two thousand 2,000 year exile, Jewish People and communities were discovered all over the world, India, Europe, Africa all reading from the same scrolls, following the same holidays and rituals, telling the same historic narrative and yearning to return to the very same Jerusalem.

It's that simple to say and easy to prove.

Yesterday I was in the Israel Museum and its Shrine of the Book for the umpteenth time, this time with visitors from afar. At the Shrine of the Book, it was explained to them that the text on these very ancient Dead Sea Scrolls only found in 1947 is identical to the Bible, the Torah Scrolls read by Jews all over the world even today.

Not only are Torah Scrolls exhibited in museums, but they are read from and copied by Jews all over the world. They are the source of the Jewish Religion and also studied by Jews of all ages all over the world. There never was a time in our history when we didn't study the Bible, the first five books, which are the Torah and the rest of the books with make up the Tanach, Torah, Navi (Prophets) and Ketuvim (Writings.)

The very same texts were found studied by Jewish People in Europe, Africa, Asia and the Americas. We Jews are the same People who observe the same religion. There are slight differences in customs and interpretations of the Torah Law, but the similarities are extraordinary. No other religion or people have a longer history. We Jews are the People of the Bible in every sense of the word. Of course, since we had been exiled thousands of years before the modern return, we do look a bit different from each other. When in exile, there were converts to joined us, and two to three thousands of years do have an affect as many people joined us in the belief that Judaism is the only true religion. But we worship the same Gd in the same language and celebrate the same Holidays.

Just to remind you that both Christianity and Islam were invented/established long after Judaism, and their primary aim is to replace us, Gd forbid.

January 1st is Not My "New Year"

Honestly, I could never quite figure out or identify with the custom of drinking to a stupor to "celebrate" the change in number of the January First "New Year." Even though I like the taste of some wines, beers and cocktails, my socializing isn't around drinking them. It was never our thing.

Also, as I was reaching the age when drinking is more accepted and legally permitted in New York, way back when, I was also getting more involved and attracted to Jewish Life.

My husband and I married pretty young, and then two months later we were off on a boat to Israel. In 1970, such goyishe customs as December 31 as "New Year's Eve" was hard to come by, and we weren't looking for it. American holidays like Thanksgiving and New Year's on January first were totally off of our radar and calendars. We became totally immersed in the Jewish Calendar, holidays and Israeli special days. And to be perfectly frank, not only didn't we miss the American ones, we totally forgot they existed. The only reminders were the increase in tourists and visitors during those times, since family and friends could more easily take a vacation abroad.

Here in Israel celebrating Jewish Holidays is very easy. They are the national holidays when offices, businesses, stores etc are all closed. Torah observant Jews don't have to use up all of their permitted days off on the holidays and annoy their bosses by requesting to leave work early on holiday eves.

The Jewish New Year is Rosh Hashanah, and it's a two day holiday, three if you include the fact that it begins before nightfall the day before. Only workers in emergency services, like police, military and hospitals have to work, because saving a life overrides everything in Judaism.

We pray to Gd on Rosh Hashanah, and the prayers include the blowing of the shofar, a sound that wakes up our soul.

We eat four festive meals over Rosh Hashanah, two evening meals and two late lunches. The object isn't to drink, even though there is usually wine on the table. We celebrate and ask Gd for a wonderful new year full of blessings, health and joyous occasions. We ask Gd to defeat our enemies and make us strong. We ask Gd to make us a "head" not a "tail," which is why many people have the "head of a fish" or some kosher animal on the table. I've been making a "fruit head" for many years.

Every year for Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, I make a "fruit head" for a healthy wonderful year for family and loved ones.

The only thing I wish for every year when it hits the first of January is that I'll remember to put down the correct year number when filling out forms and writing checks. I must admit that remembering to write "2017" has been an effort all year long, so remembering "2018" will be an even greater challenge. May that be my greatest difficulty. What's yours? And if you do celebrate January 1st as your New Year, may it be a good one.

Beauty and Necessity of Shabbat

Mosaic Shabbat "Plate" I made

I don't see the Jewish Laws of Shabbat, Sabbath as restrictive. For me it's a freedom, an escape from the chores and responsibilities and burdens of the everyday world. 

Basic 39 Categories of "work" forbidden on Shabbat:
They found 39 categories of forbidden acts, all of which are types of work that were needed to build the sanctuary:

1. Sowing
2. Plowing
3. Reaping
4. Binding sheaves
5. Threshing
6. Winnowing
7. Selecting
8. Grinding
9. Sifting
10. Kneading
11. Baking
12. Shearing wool
13. Washing wool
14. Beating wool
15. Dyeing wool
16. Spinning
17. Weaving
18. Making two loops
19. Weaving two threads
20. Separating two threads
21. Tying
22. Untying
23. Sewing two stitches
24. Tearing
25. Trapping
26. Slaughtering
27. Flaying
28. Salting meat
29. Curing hide
30. Scraping hide
31. Cutting hide up
32. Writing two letters
33. Erasing two letters
34. Building
35. Tearing a building down
36. Extinguishing a fire
37. Kindling a fire
38. Hitting with a hammer
39. Taking an object from the private domain to the public, or transporting an object in the public domain.

(Mishnah Shabbat, 7:2)

These aren't the same as the secular concept of "work." We follow the traditional rabbinic interpretations of what these mean in today's world. It isn't a matter of "relaxation" in the physical sense.  So, it's not a matter of "driving or texting isn't hard, so why can't I do it?" Many/most modern conveniences are totally forbidden on Shabbat, because they utilize forbidden elements like fire/electricity or aspects of "creation" which are totally forbidden.

Consider that nowadays with the advent of internet, cellphones etc people rarely communicate face to face, in person, having twenty-five 25 hours every week when you must look someone in the eye, and not on a screen is of the utmost importance.

On Shabbat we're also rather tethered to our homes, since even if we're fit, we aren't to walk over a certain distance. We're also commanded to pray in a group, a minyan, so community is developed. And we have to live nearby, surrounding our synagogue.

Since it's forbidden to cook on Shabbat, we're freed of the burden of food preparation. It must be done beforehand and is rather easy, once you get the hang of it. All I do is to place the cooked food on the warmer and cut up some salad. There's also the community aspect of inviting and being invited to friends and neighbors.

We tune out from what's happening outside, which is so relaxing. Everyone needs a day to spiritually recharge.

Even though I wasn't raised in a Sabbath Observing home or community, I can't imagine living without Shabbat. That is especially when I hear how busy others who don't observe the Sabbath are over their weekends. I wonder how they survive without this rest I get every week.

Shabbat Shalom U'Mevorach,

May You have a Peaceful and Blessed Sabbath

Mosaic Shabbat "Plate" I made