Jerusalem

The last 4 nights we were to spend in Jerusalem. Our hotel was situated right near the lira orthodox quarter. It was huge, with room for about 1000 guests. On the door post outside each room was a mezuzah, which is a small cylinder that contains a small scroll with the words of the Shema. This is a declaration of faith in one God and is recited in the morning and at night. “Hear, Israel, the Lord is one God, the Lord is one…..” (Deuteronomy 6). The mezuzah is touched every time before entering the room. It is a symbol of the blood of the lamb that the Israelites put on their door posts so that the Angel of Death would pass over the house in the time of the Jews leaving Egypt. It is always on a slant so that it is noticeable by the angel of death.

On Shabbat (the Jewish Sabboth), theer was always one elevator in the hotel that was for Jews observing the Sabboth. It was preset to stop at every floor on Saturdays so that the people would not have to work by pressing any elevator buttons. Thankfully there was a note on which elevator so we could avoid if if we wanted. Otherwise it would be a long time before we reached the ninth floor! And of course Kosher custom was observed in every hotel dinning room. (kind of missed my bacon and eggs!)

The ultra Orthodox Jews are an interesting bunch. There are about 30 different denominations among them and each have a little different way of dressing. Many of the men wear long black coats with white shirts. Some have long beards, some have no beards, some wear high hats, some have wide brims, some have no hats, some have ribbons on their hats, some had long curls at the side of their head. The women always wear skirts and need to keep their arms covered when outside the house. Some always wear head coverings, some wear wigs. The women may not ride at the front of the city bus; that is reserved for men. They are not required to do military duty or to work. The men spend the whole day studying the Torah and the women have lots of kids because they get a generous subsidy for every child they have. There is much resentment against them by the other Israeli folk.

Mezuzah

Our first view of Jerusalem (from mount of Olives)

Ultra Orthodox Jews. The pictures have to be taken from a distance because they do not like people taking pictures of them

many of these in Jerusalem

On his cell phone (some how it does not fit!)

proper head gear for men entering a synagogue

Soldiers on a training exercise in Jerusalem. They are very young since everyone except ultra orthodox Jews go into military service for 2 years right after high school

to the tomb of King David

woman meditating at the tomb of King David