You know it is Passover week when you see haredi (ultra orthodox) men walking around (like these two in the Old City) in their finest clothes and a shtreimel (fur hat)..
Don't worry. Wiki says that synthetic fur is more common in Israel, because a real fur shtreimel costs thousands of dollars.
It is a week of freedom from normal work or study and many fathers have their children in tow.
At the crowded Western Wall Plaza yesterday I saw a security guard holding a little boy who had got separated from his family.It was evening and I had to start toward the bus home, so I couldn't wait and see the happy reunion.
Hopefully it happened soon.
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Tonight and tomorrow is the 7th day of Pesach, a holiday; that will be followed by Friday evening and Saturday, the Sabbath. A real weekend!
Chag sameach, happy holiday!
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Happy Holidays :)
ReplyDeleteThose fur hats look kind of like Russian fur hats - glad to hear they come in synthetic fur. My great aunt used to have a little dead fur fox thing she wore sometimes with the head and legs and tail still on it - eek!
I love the idea of getting dressed up for high days and holy days; everyone feels special. And I love the idea of dads spending quality time with their children.
ReplyDeleteBut going back to 18th century Polish black outfits is not special and it must be a nightmare in hot climates.
As if being there, appreciated and enjoyed very much.
ReplyDelete"We are there"
ReplyDeleteWarm Aloha from Waikiki
Comfort Spiral
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I suppose the fur hats began in Russia?
ReplyDeleteThanks for that link yesterday Dina, it was a great page, cheers!
Shalom friends. The link I gave to Wiki makes very interesting readings.
ReplyDeleteIt says the shtreimel may be of Tartar origin. And that it is comparable in construction to fur hats once worn by Polish and Russian nobility and royalty.
Wiki also says
"A traditional story has it that an anti-Semitic political figure once issued a decree that male Jews must be identified on Shabbat by "wearing a tail" on their heads. Although the decree was an attempt to mock the Jews, the Hasidic rabbis considered the matter seriously, in keeping with the universally accepted Jewish law stating "the Law of the Land in which Jews live is to be upheld so long as it does not obstruct Jewish observance." They arrived at a plan that complied with and even exceeded the decree by arranging to make hats such as worn by royalty, encircled by a ring of tails, thereby transforming an object of intended ridicule into a crown. Further, they instituted that the number of tails follow Jewish numerology, symbolizing the wearer's sacred intentions."
Enjoy your holiday Dina.
ReplyDeleteRe. the shtreimel: I'd be more worried about the heat under it... :-)
Happy holiday. It is an interesting story about the hats.
ReplyDeleteShabbat Shalom, Dina! Great photos! I enjoy your posts even more than before I went to Israel. Have a great time.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know they were so expensive...
ReplyDeleteThe fur hat is something!
ReplyDeleteActually, a few months ago, a proposed law to prevent fur imports was opposed by the ultra-orthodox parties, because they would then no longer be able to import fur streimels.
ReplyDeleteShalom Shimonafromthepalace.
ReplyDeleteYes, I guess that means some or many have the money for real imported fur.
I was just quoting Wikipedia that synthetic is more common in Israel.
Unfortunately I don't know anyone who wears a streimel so I had no one to ask.
Shalom and welcome. Glad to meet your blog.