Unusual Traditions
It’s a nation without a country, but with more than three thousand years of history. Finally, in 1947, its native land was returned to it, but the nation was immediately forced to struggle for independence. I think you’ve already guessed the name of this young and at the same time very old country, with its tragic history and the horrible days of Holocaust – yes, it’s Israel. But today I’m full of enthusiasm to tell you about the present day of this country and its unusual traditions. I’ll tell you about what I myself experienced during my recent visit to this beautiful country. I was lucky that I was there. Be aware that, now you don’t even need a visa to go there!
As you certainly know, the most numerous people in Israel are the Jews and though Judaism (the Jews’ religion) is not a state religion there, it still is the basis of Jewish traditions.
My acquaintance with Jewish customs began in a very strange and, I must say, rather confusing way: we arrived in Israel on Saturday at noon and in the evening decided to walk along the seaside and have a meal. Can you imagine our surprise when we eventually found out that all the restaurants were closed! Guess why? Because it was Saturday! Jews have a very specific tradition called Sabbath, a day of rest, which they celebrate on the seventh day of each week (that is on Saturday and not on Sunday!). On this day it’s forbidden to turn on electricity, to watch TV, use the radio, computer and other devices, even a cell phone! No TV! No cell phone! People can not drive cars, write, draw, play musical instruments, and so on... They even shouldn’t cook on this day; all the meals should be prepared beforehand, that’s why all the restaurants were closed. And now try to imagine one day without all these things – without TV, computer, a cell phone! – I think you’ll agree with me that it is really hard.
You know, this ritual is connected with a legend: God, having finished the divine creation of the Earth in six days, had rest on the seventh day, and he especially blessed and sanctified this day. So the Jews devote this day to their home, family, prayers, and have a special dinner prepared before. There is also a belief that the Messiah will come if every Jew observes Sabbath twice in a row, so you can see that it’s really a sacred day in Judaism.
But we, hungry tourists, we did not remain hungry on that day – we found an Italian restaurant and had supper!
 Purim |
In general in the Jewish calendar there are a lot of holidays: serious and cheerful, sad and joyful. One of the most cheerful holidays is Purim, on which it is traditional to send gifts, or mishloach manot, to family and friends. It is also necessary to hand gifts or money to those who are in need. On this day people usually increase their donations to charity. And then, after midday, there comes the celebratory dinner with strong alcoholic drinks and a tasty meal. It always includes traditional triangular pies with poppy seeds or jam, called hamantaschen – that is “pockets of Haman”. Who’s Haman? Haman was a royal vizier of ancient Persia’s King Ahasuerus, who once arranged a plan to kill the Jews, but his plan was foiled by the beautiful Jewish Queen Esther and her uncle Mordechai. Nowadays on this holiday children enjoy dressing up as Queen Esther and Mordechai. There are also Purim parades (Adlayadd), and men, women, boys and girls wear costumes and masks, eat hamantaschen pies and celebrate publicly.
 Hanukkah |
The main Jewish holiday is Hanukkah, or the Festival of Lights, which is celebrated for eight days in honor of the miraculous rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem in the 2nd century ВС. At that time, during Alexander the Great’s conquests, Jerusalem came under Greek rule. In 138 ВС after long struggle, Jerusalem again became a free Jewish city and the Holy Temple had to be consecrated anew. Priests were going to light the Menorah fires, but in all the Temple there hadn’t remained any sealed vessel with ritually pure anointing oil. After a long search a very small jug with an untouched seal of the high priest was found. The oil in it could last no more than one day. But to prepare it eight days were required. Still it was decided to light a menorah candle, without waiting for a new portion of oil. And a miracle happened: the fire burnt all eight days! In memory of this miracle, the Jews decided to celebrate a Hanukkah with menorah lights. Nowadays Hanukah is even celebrated in Moscow on Manezhnaya Square, where a big menorah is kindled.
 Mezuzah |
You can feel the power of ancient prayers and legendary events everywhere in the air when you walk along the streets of Jerusalem. The most sacred place is called the Wailing Wall – the remaining part of the wall of the ancient Second Temple, where the Jews have been coming for two thousand years with all their grief and sorrow. Now there is a tradition to put notes with written prayers and requests to God into the crevices of the Wall. It seems that in such a place miracles should happen, and they do happen! My little sister also left a note there. Can you guess what she asked for in this sacred place, after seeing the beautiful sights of Israel, its magnificent temples and ancient ruins, after trying its unusual but so tasty food? She asked for a kitten! And her wish came true: the first thing she saw when she returned to Moscow was a little kitten waiting for her!
The Jews are very religious and honor the traditions of the nation. As a reminder every Jew serves mezuzah. A mezuzah is a roll of parchment with words of prayer, placed in a case and attached on the right jamb of each door in the house. When a Jew enters a room, he touches the mezuzah, kisses his hand, and the words of the ancient prayer sound in his mind: “Listen, Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is One.”
So I invite you to visit Israel, learn more about its unusual traditions, and let a miracle happen to you!