Shabbat and Sukkot September 23-24

Shabbat and Sukkot September 23-24

It’s hard to believe that this is the sixth post on this trip but indeed, the intrepid galaxy travelers have reached the apex of their voyage! This may be the penultimate post as we head into our last week of the trip and speed back to reality (and a much quieter environment). So, let’s see what’s been going on and capture some important features of this journey.

First, a new feature…Culinary Highlights! Let’s do culinary Netanya! For those visiting Netanya soon, here are our recommendations. If you are craving a burger, try Red Burger which overlooks the Mediterranean; great variety, beef or lamb, steaks, sides and all at great prices. If you prefer takeout, they have a unique system, bun and toppings packed separate from burger which ensures that your sandwich is not soggy! Next recommendation: HaYekev (the Vineyard) which is a couple of doors down, also overlooking the beach and the water. We treated ourselves to a premium Israeli breakfast with omelets, fresh baked breads and lots of different dips and spreads. Then a surprise desert. Amazing setting and very flexible, with a great gluten free menu! Now, in case you prefer to own a restaurant rather than frequent one, we have a deal for you! Ideal location, on a cliff overlooking the water, recently closed. You too could own a wonderful spot overlooking the sea! Just check out “Mul HaYam (near the sea) in Netanya!

OK, now for some highlights. We spent last Shabbat in Netanya, prior to embarking to spend the 8-day holiday of Sukkot with family. Shabbat was very nice and chill, culminating in watching an amazing sunset over the water on Saturday evening. After Shabbat, we met our friends Michal and Ronen Sela at the Herzliya Marina. The marina has a pier which is highly populated by fishermen (fisherpeople?) and people just enjoying the breeze and scenery. We caught up with the Selas, who lived on our street in Cote St Luc between 1999-2001; it’s hard to believe 20 years has passed so quickly!  Sunday was spent picking up things for the upcoming holiday of Sukkot, which began on Monday.

The holiday is based both on the fall harvest and in commemoration of the Jews wandering in the desert for 40 years under G-d's watch prior to entering Israel. We spend all meals in temporary huts (Sukkot) that must have a roof that is both made of natural plant material and lets in more sun than shade. There are also 4 species of plant that are used in the celebration; Palm leaves, myrtle leaves, willow leaves and an Etrog (Citron). Spending time in outdoor huts for 8 days in later September of October can be either amazing or brutal in Canada, depending on the amount of rain, snow or even tornados (circa 2019). However, in Israel the climate is much more conducive, although heavy rains swept through the country last night and part of today. One of the cooler things is that most of the country is on holiday during this period, plus, you can pick up Sukkot items in all supermarkets, hardware stores and on many street corners making it easy to take part! 

Monday we moved into Gila and Ariel’s house in Petach Tikvah to spend the first half of the holiday. They built a sukkah on their sixth-floor balcony and looking around in their neighborhood, there were sukkot everywhere…on balconies and grassy areas, communal ones and individual ones. The kids decorated with pictures made at home and school and we contributed new strings of lights to add just the right touch. On Wednesday, we had a “Best Day Ever” moment (thanks Spongebob!); we took Elisha, Ora, and Adi to the Ramat Gan Safari Park. Driving your car through the collection of zebras, hippos, rhinos, onyx, lions, and wildebeests is not only amazing Corona-safe entertainment but keeps everyone on the edge of their car(seat). There is also a large walk through zoo, which (due to the Corona reservation policy) was great and easy to distance (if you were careful!). So after a dose of elephants, monkeys, penguins and a whole bunch of others, and a pizza dinner, the kids were rather happy and exhausted and bedtime was pretty easy! That evening, we saw another couple who were in Montreal 20 years ago, Ruth and Itamar Maliach, who lived quite near Gila and Ariel in Givat Shmuel. The safari trip was topped off the next day with a visit to a large park in Central Petach Tikvah with a duck and goldfish pond, then to the newly renovated Petach Tikvah Central Market with fruits vegetables and baked goods galore!

OK, so what about fruits and vegetables? Since Biblical times, every 7th year is a Sabbatical year for the land, where the land is supposed to be left to rest and grow fallow or left to grow naturally. This concept of Shemita means that agriculture in Israel in the year 5882 has taken on a whole new meaning. I won’t get into all the technicalities of how produce is grown or harvested without profit to the Jewish owner of the land) but one thing is certain; the fact that Shemita continues to be observed shows a very unique and very timely respect for the land. In our age of environmentalism, climate change and warnings about the danger our planet is in, the lesson of the Sabbatical year is twofold: we need to respect and cherish the land and let it have its natural goodness restored by not overly abusing it; secondly, that too much human intervention can have unforeseen consequences and we need to take a step back and think about how our natural resources can be preserved. The sabbatical cycle has been observed for over 3000 years and perhaps the crops we enjoy in Israel are a tribute to respecting the land in this way.

Now, halfway through Sukkot, we have moved over to Nomi and Elan’s home in Efrat. It rained here last night but we are pretty sure we will be able to have dinner in the Sukkah. The weather is also drier and a bit cooler (at least in the evening) than nearer to the coast, which is good for our Canadian constitution. We spent today taking Shoshana, Shlomo, Nadav and Aryeh to see (guess what???)….Animals! About 20 minutes from their home is a small educational zoo with desert species and lots of interaction with the birds, reptiles and farm animals. Check out Shlomo’s animal farm next time you are in the area!

We wish you Shabbat Shalom and Chag Sameach with good weather for sitting in the Sukkah!

Barbara and Bruce

We wish a Refuah Sh’lema (Speedy Recovery) to Rochel Etta bat Dobrusha 

We wish a Refuah Sh’lema (Speedy Recovery) to Tuvia Moshe ben Perl

We wish a Refuah Sh’lema (Speedy Recovery) to Mordechai Faiva ben Devorah Leah 

Happy birthday to Hendrix!

Happy birthday to Eva!

Happy Birthday to Avi!