April
21, 2016
It
has been a while since my last post, and now I don’t
know where to start. Much has happened since
I chatted with you last, and the intensity of every day that passes is quickly
replaced by new and different experiences that are worth sharing.
For starters, the eve of Passover is only 24 hours away in this part of the world, and I can tell you that in Israel the spirit of the Festival of Freedom has been blowing bubbles in the air for the past few weeks.
For starters, the eve of Passover is only 24 hours away in this part of the world, and I can tell you that in Israel the spirit of the Festival of Freedom has been blowing bubbles in the air for the past few weeks.
The kids have been off school, the traffic is heavy and the restaurants are packed. The food choices are numberless, and everything looks so appealing. We all know that we Jews love to eat, but Israelis especially love to live, and waste no opportunity for a good time. The expression "l'asot chaim" is a perfect description of this philosophy. Life is precious, and "if not now, when?"
Today I spent the afternoon in downtown Tel Aviv, and witnessed the coming and going of customers carrying bags of groceries, presents, new dishes, and special baking that is available at every bakery, sealed with a "Kosher l'Pessach" label. I actually bought three cakes, as I will be needing them over the next few days to bring to my hosts.
Today I spent the afternoon in downtown Tel Aviv, and witnessed the coming and going of customers carrying bags of groceries, presents, new dishes, and special baking that is available at every bakery, sealed with a "Kosher l'Pessach" label. I actually bought three cakes, as I will be needing them over the next few days to bring to my hosts.
Tomorrow night I will be celebrating a Seder at the home of people I do not know, and I confess that this excites me. Without going into too much detail, this invitation came about in a natural, spontaneous and graceful way, sort of "in a silver platter." Ilana is a close friend of my landlady, and upon meeting me she did not hesitate to invite me to join her and her extended family. She is fluent in English and wishes to practise her Spanish. I liked her energy right away, and I anticipate us being a good pair.
I will be bringing one of the cakes and my traditional Sepharadic haroseth made of dates, apples and orange zest. I expect it to be better than ever, given that I am using homegrown Medjol dates. The Hebrew translation of date is "tamar," so these "tmarim" (pl), melt in your mouth like butter.
As the evening falls, I feel the desire to connect with my People, in Mexico City, Los Angeles, Vancouver, and Eretz Israel. Even though I am geographically apart from most of you, I feel more connected than ever. Our tradition says that Israel is the heart of the world, and this notion has new meaning for me, now that I am here, closer to that which is divinely sacred in me and others.
I will be bringing one of the cakes and my traditional Sepharadic haroseth made of dates, apples and orange zest. I expect it to be better than ever, given that I am using homegrown Medjol dates. The Hebrew translation of date is "tamar," so these "tmarim" (pl), melt in your mouth like butter.
As the evening falls, I feel the desire to connect with my People, in Mexico City, Los Angeles, Vancouver, and Eretz Israel. Even though I am geographically apart from most of you, I feel more connected than ever. Our tradition says that Israel is the heart of the world, and this notion has new meaning for me, now that I am here, closer to that which is divinely sacred in me and others.
Hag Hamatzot Sameach, Hag Aviv Sameach,
Happy Pessach, Feliz Pessaj, Añada Buena
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