In Jerusalem, Israel, waking up on Tuesday morning the official email began:
* From yesterday (4 May 2020), additional businesses and activities will be allowed to open including: Libraries, all kinds of non-medical treatment on the human body, complementary medicine, hotels and guest houses, nature reserves, heritage sites, national parks, zoos and safaris. Activity at swimming pools will be permitted for competitive athletes and therapy.
* Malls, open-air markets and gyms will be allowed to open on 7 May 2020.
Restrictions imposed to slow the spread of COVID-19 were working. Special intensive care units were closing.
People were looking forward to getting out of isolation and their homes.
Clouds were began gathering over the Israel Museum.
Clouds were filling the sky over the Jerusalem streets.
The large flag on the Knesset was blowing in the wind.
The weather forecast had called for rain. Rain in Jerusalem in May?
It was raining in the north. Then Tel Aviv, even Beer Sheva had rain. Clouds started to change over Jerusalem.
The clouds in the sky turned dark.
The sky over the Israel Musem appeared almost black.
Then winter-like weather in May pelted Jerusalem with rain, heavy rain.
Dark enough in the middle of the day for some of the street lights to go on.
But by the time the sun was to set, the sky began to clear.
It was a sunset that colored the sky. Facebook was filled with photos taken as the colors changed.
After a day of crazy weather, as the sky cleared, the birds came out again.
* The restriction on praying more than 500 meters from the home or workplace is canceled; the restriction of no more than 19 people for prayers in an open space remains in force.
For the next few days, up to 300 worshipers will be allowed to come to the Western Wall plaza simultaneously, contingent on them wearing masks. Should all of the prayer areas become full, worshipers will be requested to wait outside the entrances to the Western Wall, with the required distances between them, until space becomes available.
Late at night the Kotel, The Western Wall had people coming and going again.
Bar/bat mitzvah families can return to celebrate at the Western Wall in accordance with regulations.
The Health Ministry calls on the public to continue listening to the directives on physical distancing, wearing masks and maintaining hygiene, in order to ensure public health and continue the common struggle against the spread of the coronavirus.
The lions in the Old City are ready with masks, though not social distancing.
Always something new to see on the Jerusalem streets.
Meanwhile another crazy weather day, and new storytime by Pres Ruvi:
Stay well, everyone, and safe inside or outside your house.
