By Tom Brennan
In the 1980’s the world thrilled to the sight of Ethiopian Jews, in their colorful clothing and looking around in wonder, as they de-planed in Israel. Ethiopia had been dragged into a world of Marxism. The Emperor, Haile Selassie, considered a descendant of King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba, had been imprisoned. Jews were no longer welcome in a land in which they had lived for generations.
America has been called “the melting pot” where newcomers meet and seek new lives. A unique culture has resulted with us here by this mixing. New languages “Spanglish”, “Port ingles” and others which meld English into new tongues never heard before come to life. Colors and clothing styles mix and are adopted by others from other cultures. Foods combine and new tastes develop from them that take on a life of their own. Still, too many nations today seem to have mixed themselves into such a state of affairs that the people find themselves seeking their identity. Too many have become so individualistic that they feel rootless. Israel is about a people returning to their roots and to the Land promised to them in solid form and in spirit. Christian travelers, pilgrims and tourists can feel that emotion as they arrive in a place that echoes and shines with a sense of Return. Where other nations have become a multitude of mixed ideas, tastes and tongues, often in conflict, Israel is more like a festival.Where else in the world can a nation as small as Israel contain a world in itself? The Law of Return has opened the doors and invited the Exiles to come home. And return is exactly what they are doing. When it was a mere two years in existence as a State, the Knesset of Israel passed a law that gave citizenship to every Jew, no matter from where they came, in the Homeland of Israel. After the last stone had been overturned in 135 CE by the vengeful Roman Army Jerusalem and even Judea were blotted out in the eyes of the so-called civilized world. The arenas and slave markets of Rome were supplied with those who survived Judea’s last revolt and the escapees from the last Roman campaign in what is now Israel dispersed into the world. Their descendants saw continual Inquisitions, persecutions, pogroms and a Holocaust. In 1948 their descendants re-established a State and named it Israel.
Today Israel welcomes those who want to go home and live among their extended family, worship and speak the Holy Language. They want to wear the tallit and tzeit-tzeit and not fear retribution. Here in Israel they can. But these world travelers and refugees bring back from where they were the cultures which left with them. The Hasidic live together in Easter n European fashion and fashion. Signs in two languages greet visitors to Hasidic enclaves. These signs advise women to dress modestly as they consider entering these places. Americans and Europeans can learn a lesson here about how to respect the opinions of others here. Not everyone considers “casual” to be appropriate for dress in public. Tourists should pack clothing that will comply with what “modest” means to a Hasidic.
Israel is a feast of different music, clothing styles, accents and traditions. Many of which are re-appearing after centuries of exile. Tourists will need to know about Shabbat, how to eat Kosher and which groups keep a strict Kosher kitchen. You might not get a cheeseburger in some neighborhoods because of the way they observe Kosher, but walk a block or two and you get fries with that and super-sized as well. Sharing a common language and dialects of it, a Law that binds one and all and a soil full of relics, surrounded reminders of past glories and tragedies, today’s Israeli is a complex and capable individual. Many Israelis share dual citizenship with their native country.
Tourists and visitors in-the-know will ask in advance which Feasts will occur when they visit and prepare accordingly. Some will be the most solemn and others will be parties and celebrations. Yom Kippur will be honored in a way like no other, Purim is a party. Unlike the “Monday holidays” in the USA where most people still work, Shabbat here and some Feasts will be universally observed and in some quarters observance will be sternly enforced.
Have you ever noticed how much Israelis love to dance? Weddings, celebrations, all join hands, and dance in a circle. When you visit The Land is ready to dance. Jews see life as a cycle, and a circle of living events. To truly appreciate the Jewish and Israeli world view it is necessary to understand that Westerners, especially Americans see life from a Greco/Roman view. Seeing this way means that you start here and somehow everything goes in a straight line towards a goal and hopefully progresses towards perfection. And then again, maybe it doesn’t. The Jewish mind sees life as a cycle; we are being taught lessons every day and get a refresher course every sunrise and sunset. Each time you can see a different picture if you really look.
Before you plan your visit to Israel is sure to work with an experienced agency that will connect you with a guide who will help you see why so many Jews and Christians see this place as a homeland for their citizenship and soul. Plan as well for Feasts, celebrations and respectful observances. Remember to dress appropriately and join in the dance. You’ll feel like you have returned home.
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