As I was reading Megillat Ruth on Shavuot (and yes, the carrot cake with cream cheese frosting was a hit) I noticed something I'd never realized before. The lineage of King David listed at the end includes Nachshon ben Aminadav, the intrepid guy from the tribe of Judah who waded into the Sea of Reeds up to his nose till it parted for the Israelites leaving Egypt. It doesn't surprise me that he's in there; there was clearly a leadership gene in that family. (Guess who Olmert and crew are NOT descended from.) But I digress.
What struck me was that he was Boaz's grandfather. (Boaz is the elderly Judge who marries the Moabite convert Ruth and is great-grandfather to David.) That means that he would have heard from his own grandfather and/or father about was it was like to be a slave in Egypt, the aforementioned parting of the Sea, the giving of the Torah at Sinai, the 40 years in the desert, and Joshua's conquest of the Land of Israel. If Nachshon was over 20 when the spies came back with a negative report on Israel then he didn't make it out of the desert (all men over 20 died in the desert as punishment for believing not nice things about the Land) but then his son must have already been born and borne witness to the rest. So far, fine.
The thing is, the time period of the Judges was 400 years. They were incidentally, the time period seen as very socially fair and egalitarian as evinced by archaeological evidence of similar sized homes, too, but that's another story. Boaz was likely one of the earlier ones, which my sources tell me he was and which makes sense since his granddaddy was an adult at Sinai and you have the 40 years and those of conquest so even if he was old with Ruth he was one of the openers. Now, only Oved and Yishai came between him and David according to the Megilla, so sure as heck not only did these men not smoke but they lived and procreated, er, begat, till very ripe old ages. You have to cover a few hundred years in just a couple of generations because we know that David is born at the time of the Kings, after Judges (see Book of Samuel).
I never had put all this together and was excited and thought I'd share. If anyone out there has anything to add please do so. When you read a fairly short book every year you start assuming you know the story; it's so cool to figure out something new. At least for me.
Off to cook for Shabbat, the kids have friends over so chickens will be consumed. Maybe I'll get Amiad to barbeque when he gets back from the pool and has thighs and breasts on his mind anyhow......
It's hot here in Judea, my impatiens flowers will suffer on a waterless Shabbat morning. Oh, well. Have a good one.
Friday, May 25, 2007
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Shavuot
Shavuot starts in just a few minutes, hence the brevity of this post.
It's far and away my favorite holiday. One day, no cleaning or building or lighting anything special. We fill the house with flowers, our tummies with cheesecake and blintzes, and our minds with Torah. It's the holiday that celebrates the harvest of the first fruits of the Land of Israel and the giving of the Torah, 2 things that are bound up with the Jewish people for eternity. Living just south of Bet Lechem (House of Bread) where the story of the Book of Ruth, read tomorrow, happened, just makes it more poignant and relevant.
And has me once again so very thankful to be living in this time and place.
Wishing for peace for all of Israel and especially the brave souls on Sderot and the south who are paying the price for the misguided leadership of today.
Back after chag. I'll let you know how my carrot cake with cream cheese frosting went over. (Yes, I used 5% cream cheese. That way I can have a bigger piece).
It's far and away my favorite holiday. One day, no cleaning or building or lighting anything special. We fill the house with flowers, our tummies with cheesecake and blintzes, and our minds with Torah. It's the holiday that celebrates the harvest of the first fruits of the Land of Israel and the giving of the Torah, 2 things that are bound up with the Jewish people for eternity. Living just south of Bet Lechem (House of Bread) where the story of the Book of Ruth, read tomorrow, happened, just makes it more poignant and relevant.
And has me once again so very thankful to be living in this time and place.
Wishing for peace for all of Israel and especially the brave souls on Sderot and the south who are paying the price for the misguided leadership of today.
Back after chag. I'll let you know how my carrot cake with cream cheese frosting went over. (Yes, I used 5% cream cheese. That way I can have a bigger piece).
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
A Wet Jerusalem Day
As I sat in traffic today- it took me almost 2 hours to get to Beit El to tape my show for Arutz 7- I realized that there was an upside to the mess on greater Jerusalem's roads. There were a lot of people on their way to our capital. How wonderful that is. The rain was a bit bizarre; I can't remember it raining on Yom Yerushalayim/Jerusalem Day before and it wreaked havoc with some festivities, but the sons have returned to their borders for real and that is great.
Yesterday we went to Ir David with some other families from the 'hood. I hadn't been there for a few years and it was fascinating. Archaeologist Eilat Mazar thinks she found David's palace there (looks palatial to me), there's a fabulous 3D presentation of how Jerusalem looked pre, during and post First Temple times, and the whole thing must be seen to be appreciated. Of course it's in the eastern part of the City, what's often called 'traditionally Arab East Jerusalem'. All part of the Big Lie.
You can understand, though, why the Arabs are so afraid of our taking out the shovels. The more we dig the more our ties to here, our history, our narrative comes to life. 51 stamps for wax seals were found just in one place, one with the name of a buddy of Jeremiah mentioned in the book of said prophet. The location of finds also makes sense in view of the topography- the Temple was above this area. Across the valley is the Mount of Olives cemetery, so much of it still a wreck thanks to the Jordanians who, during their 19 year occupation, used the gravestones to build roads and latrines.
I had a thought after the tour based on what we learned. Life and renewal usually arrives accompanied by water; Creation, the Flood, birth, the mikva ritual laws, the parting of the Red Sea in which slaves went in and a nation came out, etc. Jerusalem was conquered from the Jebusites by David to become the eternal capital of the Jewish people, and his soldiers came in through ----you guessed it, the water cistern system. As I was ruminating on this (you can do lots of thinking while stuck on the road) it began to absolutely pour.
Very weird.
A look at the headlines without any archaeological input at all will show that the sons of Ishmael are still living by the sword. When will the world get it?
It's 40 Years after the liberation of Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria and the Golan, too. Gosh, it's nice to be home.
Yesterday we went to Ir David with some other families from the 'hood. I hadn't been there for a few years and it was fascinating. Archaeologist Eilat Mazar thinks she found David's palace there (looks palatial to me), there's a fabulous 3D presentation of how Jerusalem looked pre, during and post First Temple times, and the whole thing must be seen to be appreciated. Of course it's in the eastern part of the City, what's often called 'traditionally Arab East Jerusalem'. All part of the Big Lie.
You can understand, though, why the Arabs are so afraid of our taking out the shovels. The more we dig the more our ties to here, our history, our narrative comes to life. 51 stamps for wax seals were found just in one place, one with the name of a buddy of Jeremiah mentioned in the book of said prophet. The location of finds also makes sense in view of the topography- the Temple was above this area. Across the valley is the Mount of Olives cemetery, so much of it still a wreck thanks to the Jordanians who, during their 19 year occupation, used the gravestones to build roads and latrines.
I had a thought after the tour based on what we learned. Life and renewal usually arrives accompanied by water; Creation, the Flood, birth, the mikva ritual laws, the parting of the Red Sea in which slaves went in and a nation came out, etc. Jerusalem was conquered from the Jebusites by David to become the eternal capital of the Jewish people, and his soldiers came in through ----you guessed it, the water cistern system. As I was ruminating on this (you can do lots of thinking while stuck on the road) it began to absolutely pour.
Very weird.
A look at the headlines without any archaeological input at all will show that the sons of Ishmael are still living by the sword. When will the world get it?
It's 40 Years after the liberation of Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria and the Golan, too. Gosh, it's nice to be home.
Friday, May 11, 2007
Turkey
Shabbat preparations are winding down, the house is, well, if not neat then at least clean (kind of) and the turkey smells great. I'm not sure why I made turkey even although a whole fresh turkey is a find here so I grabbed it. Maybe I'm subconsciously thinking about our prime and defense and foreign ministers. That actually makes more sense. They're getting cooked, too, but not fast enough for most Israelis.
We had a demonstration this morning at the site of the rock attack that severely injured my former neighbor. She's on a respirator with head injuries and a daughter getting married in 2 weeks. I know that I'm not a security expert but it seems to me that we have lost our deterrence ability. I would have gone to the house where the rock was thrown from and very politely told the possible homeowner/probable squatter that if he doesn't find the terrorist then his house comes down. Let's see them start wanting to stop attacks- not for love of Jews, I'm not that stupid- but because if they don't then they pay a price. It's ridiculous how Israelis have to be afraid. These are people who use Mickey Mouse to teach hate to their kids and the world wants to give them a state and blames us for what's happening? A missile almost hit the Ashkelon power plant today, it's just a matter of time before a huge tragedy happens in Sderot, and Jewish blood is cheap.
Insanity. The historians will have a field day. Hope I'm alive to read the books. The forwards will have to be written by psychologists, though.
Speaking of Turkey, maybe, just maybe it won't fall to radicalism. They had some million people demonstrate against the mullahs and their moollas so who knows, they just may wake up in time. Wouldn't count on importing their water for a parched Israel, though. See above for turkeys and their brilliant policies.
Shabbat Shalom from Judea, where it may rain. The weather is as crazy as everything else.
We had a demonstration this morning at the site of the rock attack that severely injured my former neighbor. She's on a respirator with head injuries and a daughter getting married in 2 weeks. I know that I'm not a security expert but it seems to me that we have lost our deterrence ability. I would have gone to the house where the rock was thrown from and very politely told the possible homeowner/probable squatter that if he doesn't find the terrorist then his house comes down. Let's see them start wanting to stop attacks- not for love of Jews, I'm not that stupid- but because if they don't then they pay a price. It's ridiculous how Israelis have to be afraid. These are people who use Mickey Mouse to teach hate to their kids and the world wants to give them a state and blames us for what's happening? A missile almost hit the Ashkelon power plant today, it's just a matter of time before a huge tragedy happens in Sderot, and Jewish blood is cheap.
Insanity. The historians will have a field day. Hope I'm alive to read the books. The forwards will have to be written by psychologists, though.
Speaking of Turkey, maybe, just maybe it won't fall to radicalism. They had some million people demonstrate against the mullahs and their moollas so who knows, they just may wake up in time. Wouldn't count on importing their water for a parched Israel, though. See above for turkeys and their brilliant policies.
Shabbat Shalom from Judea, where it may rain. The weather is as crazy as everything else.
Monday, May 7, 2007
Voiceless in Judea
The week of mourning for my father-in-law is over; for some reason I'm left with no voice. I think Earl feels that's my unconscious attempt at making him better after his loss. (Although I'm no longer serving him and being as considerate as I was during the 'shiva'-and I was really, really, REALLY nice- at least he's spared having to listen to me. A gradual return to reality. Come to think of it, the kids are not complaining either. Hmphh).
As difficult as the week was for the family there's no question that the shiva was a celebration of my father-in-law's life and legacy. People who we haven't been in touch with in years came to his house, some called, many ex-LAers shared their own memories of him. In that way it was so nice to be together and have the siblings hear things they didn't know and be reassured that his memory will linger not just with the family.
The prize for incredibly stupid comment went to one visitor who said to them that the next time they would be together for shiva one of them would be missing because the shiva would be for that one. Got a moment of silence on that one. Sheesh.
The brit was very, very moving. It wasn't at all clear that they could use the name because Saba was alive when the baby was born and Ashkenazi Jews don't name for the living but in the end they got the okay. So just about 93 hours after Saba died -at 93-a great-grandson was given his first name in his living room - downstairs from where he died-so they could all be there. Let's just say that if you had bought Kleenex futures you would have done okay that day.
One of my nephews gave a beautiful 'dvar Torah' at the meal that we had in the synagogue about the connection of brit and Israel. It's too long to write but I will probably share it with my listeners on Wednesday on my radio show, live from 4-5 Israel time. Assuming that I regain my ability to speak. Awfully hard to do radio with laryngitis. Anyhow, if you go here and hit Judean Eve (ignore the pic, I must change it) you'll find me. I hope.
Very hot in Judea today. The weather in this country is so extreme. Shocking.
As difficult as the week was for the family there's no question that the shiva was a celebration of my father-in-law's life and legacy. People who we haven't been in touch with in years came to his house, some called, many ex-LAers shared their own memories of him. In that way it was so nice to be together and have the siblings hear things they didn't know and be reassured that his memory will linger not just with the family.
The prize for incredibly stupid comment went to one visitor who said to them that the next time they would be together for shiva one of them would be missing because the shiva would be for that one. Got a moment of silence on that one. Sheesh.
The brit was very, very moving. It wasn't at all clear that they could use the name because Saba was alive when the baby was born and Ashkenazi Jews don't name for the living but in the end they got the okay. So just about 93 hours after Saba died -at 93-a great-grandson was given his first name in his living room - downstairs from where he died-so they could all be there. Let's just say that if you had bought Kleenex futures you would have done okay that day.
One of my nephews gave a beautiful 'dvar Torah' at the meal that we had in the synagogue about the connection of brit and Israel. It's too long to write but I will probably share it with my listeners on Wednesday on my radio show, live from 4-5 Israel time. Assuming that I regain my ability to speak. Awfully hard to do radio with laryngitis. Anyhow, if you go here and hit Judean Eve (ignore the pic, I must change it) you'll find me. I hope.
Very hot in Judea today. The weather in this country is so extreme. Shocking.
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
Rest in Peace, Saba Harow
We buried my father-in-law yesterday. He was 93 years old and left behind 6 living children, 35 grandchildren and over 60 great-grandchildren with a few 'on the way'. While a terrible loss for the family it is not a tragedy; the family knows tragedy. The first member of the extended Harow clan to be buried in Israel was 5 month old Yehuda Shoham, our niece's baby, killed by terrorists 6 years ago. Her new son will have his brit on Thursday at the house of mourning and will presumably be given his great-grandfather's name. May he merit his long life as well.
While my father-in-law was many things- physician, Jewish community builder, Torah scholar and not a bad softball pitcher- his lasting legacy is the family that he and his wife (who died at 89 over 2 years ago) established, the vast majority of whom are living in Israel and devoted to Judaism. At the end of the day I know that's what the 2 of them cared about the most. In a world where more and more people judge 'success' by how much money you have and how famous you are, he was happy that a lot of people called him 'Saba' and that he had enough to treat us all to Pesach together for a few years. Those priorities have trickled their way down and we all hope that everyone stays close despite the loss of the patriarchal glue.
My husband's oldest sister had to warn the rest of them today that they'd have to be serious this afternoon because she had friends coming to pay a condolence call who would be shocked at the laughter emanating from the house. Everyone was sharing memories and the vast majority were so pleasant and funny (even if they hadn't been at the time, like the one about being caught speeding in Idaho) that there was not the gloomy atmosphere one would expect.
It's a really special thing, the Jewish mourning process. When I was in psych grad school and we learned the stages of grief I was floored at how sensible and sensitive our religion is at this traumatic time, in comparison to other religions and cultures. An intense week, followed by a slightly less intense month and then a year spent refraining from joyous events. This week the mourners are being coddled and served (Earl is really enjoying this part, I'll have to slowly ease him back into our reality next week) as they accept visits from people, some of whom they haven't seen for years, who come to console and share their own stories. By Friday they'll all be fidgeting from sitting so much and not exercising, not to mention the strain of talking so much. For now they're okay, in the Shomron right where the land of Ephraim meets Menashe, surrounded by caring relatives and friends.
I'm in Efrat for the night getting the kids squared away, we'll go back tomorrow after I do my radio show in Beit El for Israel National News. My nephew Ari, who heads Anglo Likud, will be my guest and we'll do some politics and some personal. (Nepotism rocks.) It's a bit busy (!) but I'll manage and my nieces, nephews and sisters-in-law are great so no one will starve over there without me.
Right now Caroline Glick is at a neighbor giving a talk; maybe I'll mosey over after I put the little ones to sleep on this beautiful Judean evening. Wonder what she thinks will happen after Winograd. Shocked she ain't.
So life goes on, trying to make Israel a bit better. Saba would have approved, especially since he knew I can't hit all that well and ya gotta do what you can do. Or at least try.
Tanuach b'shalom.
While my father-in-law was many things- physician, Jewish community builder, Torah scholar and not a bad softball pitcher- his lasting legacy is the family that he and his wife (who died at 89 over 2 years ago) established, the vast majority of whom are living in Israel and devoted to Judaism. At the end of the day I know that's what the 2 of them cared about the most. In a world where more and more people judge 'success' by how much money you have and how famous you are, he was happy that a lot of people called him 'Saba' and that he had enough to treat us all to Pesach together for a few years. Those priorities have trickled their way down and we all hope that everyone stays close despite the loss of the patriarchal glue.
My husband's oldest sister had to warn the rest of them today that they'd have to be serious this afternoon because she had friends coming to pay a condolence call who would be shocked at the laughter emanating from the house. Everyone was sharing memories and the vast majority were so pleasant and funny (even if they hadn't been at the time, like the one about being caught speeding in Idaho) that there was not the gloomy atmosphere one would expect.
It's a really special thing, the Jewish mourning process. When I was in psych grad school and we learned the stages of grief I was floored at how sensible and sensitive our religion is at this traumatic time, in comparison to other religions and cultures. An intense week, followed by a slightly less intense month and then a year spent refraining from joyous events. This week the mourners are being coddled and served (Earl is really enjoying this part, I'll have to slowly ease him back into our reality next week) as they accept visits from people, some of whom they haven't seen for years, who come to console and share their own stories. By Friday they'll all be fidgeting from sitting so much and not exercising, not to mention the strain of talking so much. For now they're okay, in the Shomron right where the land of Ephraim meets Menashe, surrounded by caring relatives and friends.
I'm in Efrat for the night getting the kids squared away, we'll go back tomorrow after I do my radio show in Beit El for Israel National News. My nephew Ari, who heads Anglo Likud, will be my guest and we'll do some politics and some personal. (Nepotism rocks.) It's a bit busy (!) but I'll manage and my nieces, nephews and sisters-in-law are great so no one will starve over there without me.
Right now Caroline Glick is at a neighbor giving a talk; maybe I'll mosey over after I put the little ones to sleep on this beautiful Judean evening. Wonder what she thinks will happen after Winograd. Shocked she ain't.
So life goes on, trying to make Israel a bit better. Saba would have approved, especially since he knew I can't hit all that well and ya gotta do what you can do. Or at least try.
Tanuach b'shalom.
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