Sukkot Atmosphere

Photo: Miriam Woelke

Anti - Semitism in the Arab World

B"H 

It seems as if the world is going nuts. Radical Muslims have been threatening western society's freedom of speech and even US as well as European politicians are willing to give in to the Muslim riot mob. Western civilization has to decide what it prefers: A life with freedom of speech or the Muslim Sharia law. If the world is giving in now due to a stupid video called "Muhammad Movie", the free world is going to loose its freedom and radical Muslims will reign. At the moment it looks as if Youtube has already given in, as it started deleting Muhammad Movie videos. I just wish that they would also delete all the anti - Semitic neonazi and Arab videos but no one cares about those videos . 

Maybe we Jews should also start rioting as soon as another anti - Semitic TV series or cartoon is coming out. Anti - Semitism in the Arab world is very common and widely accepted. Hardly anyone is raising his voice anymore when Egypt, Turkey or Iran are broadcasting their anti - Semitic TV series. Imagine, all Jews would go as wild as the Muslim world now. But I guess it wouldn't matter to the world because we are "only" Jews.


Links:

Terrorism - Info

Arabischer Antisemitismus (Wikipedia)



New Trends in Arabic Anti-semitism from Henrik Clausen on Vimeo.

Jerusalem's Beauty

The Knesset

Photos: Miriam Woelke

Photos: "Mea Shearim after Rosh Hashana"

B"H

So, how was my Rosh Hashana ? Awful, as I had caught a flue virus. It all started a day before Rosh Hashana. Suddenly I felt a pain in my throat and then fever and a cough came along. Now I am still coughing and sneezing all the time but my condition is improving. At least, the fever seems to be gone.

I was staying at home and hardly did anything but rest. Now am trying to concentrate on Yom Kippur and to overcome my demand for medication and tissues.:-)

I had something to do in Mea Shearim this morning and took a few photos on the way. Here is the result:

Kapparot Announcement

It seems as if the Sukkah building is starting earlier every year. I remember that more than 13 years ago, most Jerusalemites (incl. Haredim) started building their Sukkah on Mozzae'i Yom Kippur. This year, however, plenty of Sukkot are almost finished. Not only in Mea Shearim but also in secular parts of town.

Sukkah in Yoel Street (Mea Shearim)

Kikar Supnik and Dushinsky building a gigantic Sukkah

Balcony Sukkah in Mea Shearim Street / Jerusalem

Chassidut Gur (Ger) seemed to have had a wild Rosh Hashana Se'udah and apparently dumped all the trash on the pavement across their Beit Midrash in Ge'ulah.

The Sukkah of Chassidut Gur in Sefat Emet Street

Photos: Miriam Woelke

Selichot at the Kotel (5772 / 5773)

B"H

Last Mozzaei Shabbat: SELICHOT at the Kotel (Western Wall) in Jerusalem. You can hear a Shofar in the background. 

I took the video some time before midnight when the place wasn't that crowded yet. Most people arrived far after midnight, as at that time, the heavenly "Gates of Mercy" are open. 

Selichot at the Kotel (Western Wall)

Last night's SELICHOT at the Kotel in Jerusalem

Photos: Miriam Woelke

B"H

Last night, I went to the Kotel with a friend in order to say Selichot. As you can surely imagine, the Kotel was packed. Thousands of religious, traditional and secular Jews find their way to the Kotel before Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur. 

Let me tell you: It was an experience but not always a good one. On our way through the Jewish Quarter and down to the wall we had to pass about thirty (if not more) people asking for donations. You couldn't even walk two meters without having someone shaking a cup right into your face. No, not the usual beggars but especially national religious organizations. 

It is a great Mitzvah giving Zedakah during the Yamim Nora'im, however, as soon as, I don't know how many, national religious Yeshiva boys and girls run after you with their cups, you do get slowly fed up. The entire Rosh Hashana has become far too commercial. 

Nevertheless, I wish you all a great, healthy, happy and succesfful New Year & Chatimah Tova !!!

See you next near.:-) On Wednesday, I am going to publish many more pictures from last night's Selichot as well as a few videos !

Shana Tova - Happy New Year !

Rosh Hashana in Brief

Seen in Mea Shearim / Jerusalem

Photo: Miriam Woelke

B"H

1. Do women have to participate in Selichot ? 

No, but if they want to they are free to do so. 

Photos: Miriam Woelke

2. Is it allowed to say the Selichot in another language besides Hebrew ? 

Yes, because the person praying has to understand the meaning of the words. However, it is said that prayers in Hebrew are more powerful. 

On Erev Rosh Hashana, the Shofar is not blown but only during Shacharit the following morning. 

3. How should a Jew prepare for Rosh Hashana ?

There are different customs many Jews like to follow. Visiting graves of Zaddikim, giving Zedakah, doing Cheshbon Nefesh, buying new clothes, new shoes and getting a new haircut.

From Erev Rosh Hashana to Yom Kippur we dip bread and Challot into honey and don't put on the usual salt. Honey is the sign for a sweet new year and this is what we are asking for.

4. Is it allowed to cry during the prayer service on Rosh Hashana ? 

Definitely and there are Kabbalists claiming that those who cry on Rosh Hashana show their pure hearts and honest Teshuva. It is also said that when a person is starting to cry during the service, the heavenly court is judging him at that very moment.

5. How should we behave on Rosh Hashana ? 

By being joyful and hoping that G - d is judging us favourably. Rosh Hashana is a joyful holiday and we shouldn't sit around depressed . Just the opposite but we still shouldn't forget that it is still a serious holiday.

6. Are we allowed to nap after the Synagogue service ? 

Usually not but there are people who do take an afternoon nap on the second day.

Rosh Hashana in Jerusalem

B"H

This morning, I walked around in Mea Shearim and Ge'ulah, did some shopping but was also looking for a bit of Rosh Hashana atmosphere. What I found was mainly a Sukkot atmosphere, as many shops have already started offering Sukkah decoration.

A Rosh Hashana taste from Jerusalem

Rosh Hashana Chocolate at Cafe AROMA

Seen in Ge'ulah

Sukkah decoration in Mea Shearim

In Mea Shearim

Photos: Miriam Woelke

Only in Jerusalem

SHANA TOVA - A GREAT NEW YEAR on Jerusalem's local EGGED buses

Photos: Miriam Woelke

Going to the restroom after Ha'Motzi

Photo: Miriam Woelke

B"H

It concerns all of us: What is happening to Netilat Yadayim and the HaMotzi Blessing when you need to go to the restroom during the meal ? 

By the way, I was also always wondering until I got an explanation from a Rabbi:

The question is whether I have to do another extra Netilah and say again "... al Netilat Yadayim" after saying the blessing "... Asher Yatzar" ?

The answer is that first you say "... Asher Yatzar" and then you separately wash your hands again with the Natlah but without saying "... al Netilat Yadayim".  

Rosh Hashana Song from LATMA