Too much sadness this week
שבת שלום
Author: rjstreets
Jerusalem Darkness to Light
From Jerusalem will come forth light,
from the Jerusalem light festivals to Hannukah lights,
it is an old, if not ancient theme.
However, this week we saw some unique lights.
Those red, white and blue lights on the Walls of the Old City
and on the Knesset building, where the Israeli flag flew at half mast.
After Shabbat, the flag was lowered
to symbolize the link with France after the terror attack in Paris.
Israeli flags over Beit Hanasi were lowered as well,
while French flags were unfurled over major Jerusalem streets.
I found it ironic that new signs were posted
for a new App for Jerusalem night life–
who knows what will happen next?
When I see new signs like this one,
I snap photos of them,
only after did I realize, it was posted for the filming of a TV movie.
Make sure you know whether what you see is real or not.
The Jerusalem municipality posted hundreds of large and small signs
asking MK Kahlon “Do not forsake Jerusalem”
in the new budget in the Knesset.
This week in Jerusalem, while the weather is cool,
the roses are blooming
and the oranges are ripening.
However, I want to share
one other very special light coming out of the darkness.
My friend Varda wrote of the horrific terror attack last erev Shabbat.
We know the Rav of Meitar and his family,
and we have many friends there and visit occasionally.
We have driven the road from Meitar to Otniel.
Such darkness,
to drive to a simcha and get ambushed by murderers.
But, from Jerusalem, came forth light.
On Tuesday night, in the wedding hall,
at the time the wedding of the daughter of the victim was to take place,
an overflow crowd of women and girls
filled the hall with prayer and music, and words of unity.
Tears inside during the sad, slow Shabbat song
and crowds of girls outside.
The Litman-Beigel wedding is rescheduled for next week,
and this time everyone is invited.
If you want to participate, check this out.
To help the Litman family, you can donate here:
https://www.gofundme.com/bwaq2zbd
Am Yisrael Chai!
May lights continue to come forth from Jerusalem
to shine and inspire the world.
Sigd Celebrated in Jerusalem
Sigd, the Ethiopian holiday which falls on 29 Heshvan,
50 days after Yom Kippur, was celebrated on the Tayelet.
A spot with the best views of the Old City, but
with heightened security in the Armon Hanatziv neighborhood.
Also, somewhat smaller crowds were out on the Haas Promenade.
Buses brought Ethiopian Israelis from all over Israel
to celebrate the annual event, a national holiday since 2008.
I love to see the young men in uniform,
and the girls too.
But, Sigd is not just eating, dancing, and socializing.
Sigd began centuries ago in Ethiopia,
with leaders gathering on a mountaintop and praying to return to Zion.
Today they have returned.
Kessim, religious leaders dressed in white,
were seated at this long dais and more
were in the audience, under their colorful umbrellas.
Prayers and speeches by government officials are part of the day.
After President Reuven Rivlin spoke,
he went down the line and shook hands with the dignitaries.
Only a small part of the crowd of thousands, mostly the elders,
were seated, with politicians and dignitaries in front.
However, one woman caught my attention.
What was she thinking?
Did she remember Sigd from Ethiopia?
What had she gone through to get here?
She stood during the speeches looking towards the Old City,
towards the Temple Mount in the distance.
Sigd has become one of my favorite events.
Interesting, both last year and in 2012, I also wrote that
we were in the midst of “difficult times.”
I must find out what this is hair-like thing is,
I noticed several of them this year.
Sigd, where ancient blends with the modern,
and the very modern customs and practices.
The program ended in the early afternoon.
Shabbat also starts very early
with just a few hours to prepare before it is dark.
Wishing a Shabbat Shalom to all from Jerusalem,
where sometimes dreams do come true.