Street Scene in Ramat Gan (near Tel Aviv)

Photo: Miriam Woelke

Noodles and Soup Nuts "Kasher le'Pessach"

B"H

Not too many years ago, we were complaining about not having noodles during Pessach. As a wheat product, noodles are Chametz and we are forbidden to consume Chametz (forbidden grains such as oats, wheat, spelt, rye or barley) on Pessach. Only dry Mazzot and potatoes, fish, meat, onions, pepper, cabbage and carrots for Ashkenazi Jewry. Sephardi Jews have an easier Pessach, as some of them eat rice (forbidden for Ashkenazi Jews) and Kidniyot (peas, humus, corn or anything made of it). Then the first cakes kosher for Passover were available. Made out of potatoe flour. 

When I went to the supermarket tonight, believe it or not, I saw noodles kosher for Pessach. Noodles and soup nuts ! Some noodles kosher for Pessach are for Kidniyot eaters such as Sephardi Jews but I also saw Pessach noodles without Kidniyot.

Here are a few impressions from the MEGA supermarket branch in Dizengoff Street / corner Pinsker in Tel Aviv:

Kosher for Pessach !

Noodles kosher for Passover

With Kidniyot and made from rice.

Soup nuts kosher for Passover.

Wine for the Seder

Mazzot

Biscuits kosher for Pessach

Photos: Miriam Woelke

No doubt. Pessach is an expensive holiday and many Jewish families in Israel, including plenty of haredi families in Mea Shearim or Bnei Brak, depend on charity organizations handing out food baskets.
One of those organizations is located in Mea Shearim and run by Chassidut Toldot Avraham Yitzchak: "LINAT HA'CHESED". Two years ago, I talked to some of the Chassidim running LINAT HA'CHESED.

Tour through Bnei Brak

"Pessach" and "Shabbat Ha'Gadol"

B"H

This year, Jews in Israel are celebrating Pessach (Passover) from the evening of 6 April until the evening of 13 April 2012. Jews living in the Diaspora traditionally keep an additional day. Pessach is a biblical holiday for Jews and stands for the Exodus from Egypt. For seven days, we are not allowed to eat any grains like rye, wheat, spelt, barley or oats. In addition to that we also have to avoid products made of these grains such as beer, noodles, pizza, flour, soup powder (without the "kasher le'Pessach" label) etc.

The translation for PESSACH is PASS OVER. 

The actual meaning of the word comes from the night when G - d took the lives of the Egyptian firstborn and showed mercy towards the Jews. The Tenth Plague, the death of the firstborn, caused Paraoh to change his mind and let the Jewish people go. Before the night started, G - d commanded the Jews to slaughter a lamb or kid and place the animal's blood on the doorposts. Thus, the Angel of Death would pass over the Jewish home and not take the life of the Jewish firstborn. (see Exodus – Sefer Shemot 12:3 – 7). 

The Shabbat preceding Pessach is called SHABBAT HA’GADOL (the Great Shabbat). Why is the Shabbat called by this name ? 

This year, according to the Jewish calendar, the Shabbat Ha'Gadol is going to be the 8th Nissan (Chet Nissan). In the year when the Israelites were leaving Egypt, the Shabbat Ha'Gadol was the 10th Nissan (Yud Nissan). According to the Torah, the 10th Nissan was the night when G - d carried out the 10th Plague and let the miracle happen that the Jewish firstborn survived. See about the date Exodus 12:3 as well as the Mishna Berura - Hilchot Pessach, Siman תל תלא. 

This upcoming Shabbat we are celebrating SCHABBAT HA'GADOL ! 

Bnei Brak preparing for Pessach

B"H

I only walked through Bnei Brak's shopping mall Rabbi Akivah Street this morning and although I was looking for Mazza Shmura, I found the locals buying new clothes and kitchenware. The only Mazzot I saw were either handmade or regular ones. Until Pessach, however, I have to get my traditional Mazza Shmura.

Junction Ramat Gan - Bnei Brak: Ramat Gan on the left and Bnei Brak to the right.

Kitchenware for Pessach in Rabbi Akivah Street

Zedakah (Charity) is a tremendously important issue in Bnei Brak, as the town is the poorest place in Israel.

 

Photos: Miriam Woelke

Israeli hotel industry is looking for 1500 new workers

B"H

The Israeli hotel industry is looking for approx. 1500 new employees such as kitchen and security staff or waiters. However, the jobs are on a temporary basis: Only during the days of Pessach. 

Local unemployment offices are going to send many of their unemployed clients to hotels in need of staff. These available jobs are usually not for tourists but unemployed Israelis who may have a chance finding a permanent job.

Daylight Saving 2012 in Israel

B”H 

This week, the annual daylight saving is going to start. Time will be changed (one hour ahead) during the night from Thursday to Friday !

Nevertheless, not everyone is participating in the state - organized daylight saving. The Neturei Karta, Toldot Aharon or the Toldot Aharon Yitzchak don't change their clocks one hour ahead. Take this into consideration when you go to their Shabbat Tishes.:-)

The Great Synagoge in Ramat Gan (near Tel Aviv)

Photos: Miriam Woelke

Picture of the Day

Seen in Ramat Gan (near Tel Aviv)

Photo: Miriam Woelke

Pessach Preparations

B"H

Besides work, I have been busy with a few Pessach preparations. Not the big cleaning yet but some shopping including a few great books. However, I will give a few more details in the course of the day. Especially about the books I just bought at the OR HA'CHAIM bookstore in Bnei Brak. 

Just coming back from Bnei Brak, my intention was to buy Mazza Shmura but I didn't find any in Rabbi Akivah Street where I was walking around. No Shmura but regular Mazzah or Asui Yad (handmade Mazzah). At least I finally got some pre - Pessach atmosphere, as there is nothing like this in Tel Aviv. However, Bnei Brak seems to be busier with buying new clothes than putting out Mazzot for sale.:-)

All wishes will never be fulfilled

Wealthy area in Ramat Gan near Tel Aviv: Housing and office complex.

Photo: Miriam Woelke 

B"H

No man departs from this world having attained half of his desires (Kohelet Rabbah 1:13).

Every human being on this planet has desires, wishes and expectations. There is a theory in psychology that unfulfilled expectations can cause depression. Not all our wishes are being fulfilled. Thta's life and G – d alone decides what we get, what we don’t get and where we succeed or fail. 

Most people only seem to concentrate on material things instead of looking at the spiritual side. Let me tell you one thing from experience: Money doesn’t make you happy ! What money does is providing you a secure life without any worries about paying the rent. However, money won’t give you joy but more sorrows. Just wait until the tax authorities will come after you.

JERUSALEM is not mentioned in the Koran

The OPHEL (Archeology Garden) right next to the Western Wall (Kotel) in Jerusalem. In the background you can see the minaret as well as the Al Aksa Mosque on the Temple Mount.

Photo: Miriam Woelke

B"H

The Koran doesn't mention Jerusalem once ! What Muslims do claim is that their Prophet Muhammed was riding on a magic flying horse towards heaven. According to Muslim ideology, this happened on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem.

Fact is that there is no proof, whatsoever, that Muhammed ever visited Jerusalem. It is very likely that he had never been in the holy city but in order to keep the legend alive, someone cut two holes into the outer wall of the Second Temple. The explanation for those holes is that Muhammed, while "being in Jerusalem", tied his horse at this place. The holes, however, actually look quite new and not as old as almost 2000 years. :-)

Photo: Miriam Woelke