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Birchat Kohanim

rjstreets

17 Nissan 5771

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Jerusalem

Birkat Kohanim,  the Priestly Blessing at the Kotel, the Western Wall.

Major streets were closed to traffic.

Security was out in force

as thousands of people walked to the Old City,

trying to get close enough to hear

and see the Birkat Kohanim.

From every entrance

 

and stairway the crowds gathered.

Dignitaries did not need an umbrella this year, as the weather was pleasantly cool.

Thousands of people stood completely still,

 except for a couple of security men watching the crowd,

as everyone looked toward the Kohanim.

The chief rabbi began to recite a psalm and people began to move.

 As the Kes walked toward the Kotel

 other people began to leave the area.

In the mass of people

it was possible to find a friend.

Awesome event… but it’s Passover,

so time to eat… again.

Spring Cleaning

rjstreets

 

As the Passover holiday approaches, full-page newspaper ads announce

extra garbage collection in most of Jerusalem.

You never know what will be put out on the street,

or how long it will last there.

750 new paper collection bins

and 800 bottle collection bins have popped up all over the city,

some leave little room for people.

In Machane Yehuda Market, the Shuk, customers are lining up at the home supply stores

to buy new cleaning supplies.

Even the fish are ready for Passover.

The sign at Gan Sacher got a cleaning after the marathon,

however, it will be some time until the grounds are fully restored.

The park is still a great place for those not busy cleaning

to relax.

Some birds seem to clean up better than the humans who use the park.

Birds were lined up

on top of the Kotel, the Western Wall

as notes in the wall were overflowing before their spring cleaning.

And all these preparations are just a prelude…as next week

huge pots of boiling water will be out ready to get rid of every last crumb.

Passover begins Monday night, April 18, 2011.

Traffic in Jerusalem at stand still

Jerusalem Received Special Tourists

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Three weeks ago a bomb exploded in Jerusalem,

killing one woman and injuring many others.

Over the weekend 150 rockets were fired from Gaza into southern Israel,

and the Iron Dome defense system

was employed to defend the residents of Ashkelon and Beersheva.

Nevertheless, on Monday,

 a delegation of government officials from India toured Jerusalem

and Beit HaNasi, the official President’s residence,

got spruced up for a visit by Spanish royals.

It is amazing that despite all the negative press, official visitors,

 ordinary tourists,

and tour groups of all kinds

come from

around the world to see Israel…

and they keep coming.

On both the cold and cloudy days of winter

and the warm days of spring,

whether following a blue sign

or a red rose,

they come each day by the thousands.

Some come dressed

in distinctive clothing,

to see the Kotel, the Western Wall, from a distance

or up close.

Some children are happy to pose for the camera,

while others are not willing targets.

Foreign tourists want to be photographed with security personnel.

The estimated number of visitors to Jerusalem this year is in the millions

and the official tourist season is just beginning.

It’s really amazing, so many special tourists…

and perhaps those taking photos

will help to show the world…

 the real Jerusalem streets.