(all photos are clickable)
A purple tent under a blue Jerusalem sky.The sky is for SkyWatch Friday. The tent is for the yearly Shuk Arba'at Haminim.
Arba'at haminim are the four species of plants needed in order to make the blessings for the holiday of Sukkot, starting Friday at sunset.For the whole next week Jews are supposed to dwell in the sukkah (or at least to eat our meals there). The temporary "booths" are to remind us of the wandering in the wilderness for 40 years, way back when Moses was leading the people out of Egypt.
The market for etrog, lulav (palm fronds), and myrtle and willow branches is very much a man's world. The religious men understand what the Jewish halacha law requires for each of the four species in order to make it perfect.
They were concentrating so hard on examining each leaf that they seemed oblivious to me, the only female, wearing the frowned-upon [for women] jeans and T shirt.
I shot from the hip. It was not an in-your-face aiming and shooting. I love to watch Orthodox Judaism in action.
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There is information about Sukkot, the sukkah, and the special market in my posts from last Sukkot here, here, and here.
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Let's pray the rain will hold off for another week. No one wants their beautifully decorated sukkah getting all wet.
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Very good shots of the market, makes one feel like there are there. I always enjoy having a look into your world...thanks again.
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend
Guy
Regina In Pictures
I love these photos, I am very taken with the gentleman who seemingly was counting the leaves!
ReplyDeleteCould we possibly ask for the rain to hold off for a few extra days too? We're planning my daughter's birthday party for the afternoon of the 16th, and we'd really like to be able to have it in the park.
ReplyDeleteCome the 17th let it pour.
Almost allways blue sky in your photos, but still so noce to see from your county. Wold love a trip there some day :-)
ReplyDeleteHugs from Anne in Norway
Your blog is very interesting. I had only vague ideas about Sukkot, but they have been clarified.
ReplyDeleteGreat shots.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to be in that purple tent, but of course I'd be "improperly" dressed too, Dina
OY!
Wht's an esrog/etrog anyway?
LOL!
If you could see my boat accomodations you'd know that I'm still living "temporarily."
Aloha, Friend!
Comfort Spiral
I love the purple tents! And your commentary and photos are very interesting! I have to make lots of my shots shooting from the hip too, so I know how you feel.
ReplyDeleteI remember your post on the sukkah from last year. I love the purple. Very Christo-esque
ReplyDeleteIsn't that a beautiful meditation dear Dina, to find just the right species of plants to celebrate. If there isn't a communication with nature there is no communication at all.
ReplyDeleteOh I so remember about the sukkots in this journal. It can't be once a year- it seems just so recent.
naughty naughty about sneaking in. thankyou for doing that.
love and lightshalom
Interesting pictures of the market, Dina. Beautiful shots of the gentleman who carefully analyzes the leaves.
ReplyDeleteCame looking for your Friday bench and I found one in your last photo! I don't suppose that is really your bench post so I will come back later but it is a nice serviceable resting place!
ReplyDeleteI love that these men are so engrossed in their task that they don't even notice you.
ReplyDeleteto Robin
ReplyDeleteHAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOUR DAUGHTER!IT IS ALSO MY BIRTHDAY ON OCTOBER 16. IT IS A GREAT DAY TO BE BORN. I AM A LIBRA AND OCT. 16 IS INTERNATIONAL BOSS DAY HA HA.ALTHOUGH NO ONE EVER LISTENS TO ME.
LOVE AND LIGHT MIRAE
Thanks for the tour. Great shots.
ReplyDeleteI remember seeing this in Skokie many years ago. I know the kids especially loved it. Tif and Jon would have made us put one up to if they had their druthers.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing these photos. So important for all of us to learn about each others' cultures. I'll always remember the impact of seeing the unexpected personal Sukkot structures popping up all over the Squirrel Hill neighborhood in Pittsburgh PA. Even on porch roofs! They look like a cross between storage sheds and mangers! Seems like a great holiday.
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures. Those men are really concentrating on those plants.
ReplyDeleteThank you Dina for letting us in on your life. Sukkot is also a good time for Christians to remember that Yeshua came and made His tabernacle among us. We have lost track of our Jewish roots, which is tragic. I pray that God will provide the weather you need for your celebration of His provision in the wilderness.
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
What beautiful photos of Jewish life.
ReplyDeleteGreat market life, too.
Shabbat Shalom and Chag Sameach.
Ever since I watched the movie Israeli "Ushpizin" last year (with English subtitles), every time I hear about the "four species" that's what I remember....I loved that movie!
ReplyDeleteLovely blue sky and wonderful photos of the market.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your skies.
Once again, I am grateful that you share the details of Jewish faith, tradition and culture. I am fascinated. Christian tradition seems so young by comparison.
ReplyDeleteYou took some great shots "from the hip".
Last week-end, in the street, I passed Orthodox men coming with these long branches, and leaves. Iremembered your post of last year, Dina, the careful choice of each leaf.....that way I knew it was a celebration for jewish people.
ReplyDeleteBlogging is also better knowing each other, and interesting ourselves to other different people.
When my friend from Marseille, on Sunday, told me on the phone "you know, it was a day off for us on friday" I could answer her, "Yes, I know what kind of celebration you're talking about".