Real Life, Never Dull

Rather than duplicate what I wrote on Shiloh Musings, or rewriting it in another way, I suggest that you just read "Learning to be Late and Accepting Blessings."

Shabbat Shalom uMevorach

Have a Wonderful and Blessed Shabbat

May It Be For A Blessing...

Here in Israel, the Jewish Holy Land, we take our rain very seriously. There are all sorts of prayers about rain and references to rain in our prayers. This part of the world was not created with an automatic yearlong sprinkler system or reliable irrigation and water sources. More than half the year it doesn't rain at all, and the few natural springs can easily dry up. With proper watering, precipitation, this can be a very fertile piece of real estate.

When we were on shlichut, doing Jewish/Zionist youth work in London, I'd get a kick out of the newscasts which reported on how many minutes of sunshine in London and other cities. Here they report how many millimeters of rain fell in the previous few hours.

The greatest fireman in action!

Heavy heavy rain across Israel now especially in Haifa area where the wildfires were at their largest. #MoridHageshem, Facebook

And after a dry spell, we don't want a long, heavy rain, because there are always lots of car accidents on the suddenly slippery roads. Rain, dust, sand and oil are a bad combination. Also, too heavy a rain on parched soil just wipes away the top soil and causes damage. So, the way the rains have fallen this week is good. First we had a bit of rain, just enough to soften the earth and wipe the dust off of our roads and solar panels, without flooding all the bad stuff (potential pollution) from the fires and now we've received a heavier rain to water the crops, refill fresh water springs and the Kinneret, the Sea of Galilee, Israel's major water source.

Also here in the Holy Land, our timing and quantity of rains/precipitation are a blessing or punishment from Gd for our, as a People, behavior. Sins cause droughts and floods, while living according to the mitzvot Gd commanded us will bring rain in its season and the best quantities.

And one of the lessons/reminders from Gd about these recent aishtafada fires is that although with modern technology we can purify enough water for agriculture and even drinking, but we can't protect our forests and homes from fire without enough rain. Too many times recently I've read rather sacrilegious stuff about our no longer being dependent on rain for sufficient water. All the damage was a reminder of how much we need the rain that only Gd can give.

As much as I hate having the clothes drying in the living-room, it's a small price to pay for the needed rain. So, let your smile be your umbrella, thank Gd, bundle up and enjoy.

Shabbat Shalom u'Mevorach!

May you have a Peaceful and Blessed Shabbat!

Winter Rains!

 So far, so good, bli eyin haraa, the rains have begun according to the Jewish Calendar, around the time we've added the prayer for them. They have also been relatively gentle making the ground properly soft and wet, taking breaks, instead of causing the topsoil to float away as mud.

At present the weather reminds me of Europe and England in the summer, since it hasn't gotten cold yet. Yes, very drizzly, though there have been thunder/lightning storms which have caused electric outages in many locations. We had one for a short time the other morning.

And yes, of course, rain means that my livingroom is full of laundry, but since no guests are expected, I can live with it.

It's certainly better than a cursed drought!

For a Very Healthy and Happy 5776!

The new Jewish Year is about to debut in a few hours. This year's model "head" has been posing very cooperatively for me, and I'd like to post some of the photos.

Yes, I don't use animal heads, neither fish, fowl or mammal. For twenty-five 25 years I was a vegetarian and during that time I came up with the idea of a Fruit Head. It's healthy, edible and creative which should be what a good head/year will bring us.

Gd willing we should be a head and not a tail!

You can vote for which version you like best. Have a Wonderful Blessed Year everyone!!!

Chag Sameach

Gmar Chatima Tovah

Back to Ordinary Winter Weather

As awfully, wind chill factor  cold it has been since yesterday, the snow has been melting. It was its most beautiful Friday night and Shabbat morning when I woke up, but sorry no photos.

The local plumbers were busy repairing broken pipes and popped solar water heaters. Thank G-d we didn't have that problem, but our electricity suddenly went. Can't complain, honestly, since it happened after Shabbat. Our wonderful electrician changed into his work-clothes and came up the hill to figure out the problem. Luckily it was the outlet the washing-machine is plugged into. And add another Baruch Hashem that the nearby dryer outlet is, bli eyin haraa, (don't tempt the evil eye) OK. He'll, G-d willing, replace it when he had time, plus do a small repair that has been waiting for a long time. It didn't seem worthwhile  to call just for that. I had been waiting for a more serious or other repairs to make a "package" for the basic house-call.

This morning there's still some snow left, and the weather forecast is for what is called "occasional or local rain." I don't know if we'll benefit from sunshine in between, but G-d willing there will be some tomorrow. Please don't think I'm downplaying the value of rain/precipitation for us, but we do need both, and we have had lots of snow and rain that now needs some sun to give the Land the best benefit.

Here are some photos I just took.

May this be a very blessed winter, even though I'm not sure the Jewish People deserve such a gift from G-d.

Seventh 7th Night of Chanukah, A Joyful Wedding!

I moved my Chanukiyah over a bit, in order to take better photos. While my husband was off in Jerusalem at the Begin Prize Ceremony, I quickly lit my Chanukiyah and then went off with neighbors to a wedding.

Despite the rain, we could see the bright lights of Israeli industry. By turning off the auto-flash on my Canon IXUS 145, I got surprisingly good photos. 

It rained and drizzled the entire way, and I wondered what we'd do if the chuppah (marriage ceremony) was to be outside. I could see it set up beautifully, and the rain stopped after we got there.

It was gorgeous, and apparently G-d did want an outdoor chuppah.  Only the fish were wet while we enjoyed the festive event.

After it was over, and we were in the hall, there was an amazingly heavy downpour.

According to Jewish Tradition, rain at a wedding is a sign of a bracha, blessing, and may this couple be blessed and fruitful.

We're in the Middle of the Jewish Month of Cheshvan. Where's the Rain?

When my friends and I were at Shiloh Hakeduma, Tel Shiloh on Rosh Chodesh (the beginning of the Jewish Month of) Cheshvan it seemed so certain that G-d would be giving us lots of rain this month.

We were very happy that the sky wasn't summer pure blue.

Since then, there have been clouds, but no rain.

And even though we did get a strong, quick "first rain" during Succot, less than a month ago, I only noticed one of the crocus flowers which usually herald winter.

Jerusalem Autumn Crocus (Colchicum hierosolymitanum) blooms gorgeous large purple flowers before growing its leaves.  Jerusalem Insider's Guide

I usually see many of these during this season here in Shiloh, but so far I haven't.  Finally, when I visited my grandkids in Ofra I spotted this near their home.

The meteorologists are predicting rain for Shabbat and much colder weather than we've had so far. I'll have to let you know after Shabbat.  And I have to remember to close some of the windows we've left open since the summer.  We've passed the date when a sunny day can be called a nice day.  Now, the only truly nice days are wet.  Of course we do need some dry sunny ones in between, but without rain we're in trouble.

Through rain, hail, thunder and lightening!

I guess going to work sometimes is like going through hell and high water.
When I opened the door today to leave for work, the rain and hail were pouring from the sky with such force, I almost forgot that the rain was a blessing from G-d.

Thank G-d and Canon Cameras, since you can actually see the rain falling in these pictures. There are times when 7.1 pixels aren't too many.

I must admit that I didn't walk out in that rain. I changed into my boots and packed extra shoes, and by then, even though it was a few minutes past my usual time to leave, I left, braving not only the rain and hail, but the accompanying thunder and lightening. Yes, I unplugged the computer including the phone line.

The storm, politely, took a break, long enough for me to walk down the hill. I waited for a ride and managed to get one of the bullet-proof school vans going to Ofra. From there I caught a ride to the T Junction to Beit El and from there a ride to Beit El, where I walked the rest of the way. The rain and hail were so strong at times, it seemed like a snow storm was about to start.

Then it stopped, and it was pretty dry once I finished work close to 6:30pm.

Now for another wet experience; the dishes await, and they're sure dirty!