August 27, 2012

You Can Run But You Can't Hide

Living in Israel is about many things but my favorite is the fact that you are surrounded by Judaism, everywhere you go. The cabs all have "Tefillat Ha'Derech" signs and most cab drivers – regardless of how they look – will tell you a wonderful D'var Torah about the Parsha of the week. Every store has a Mezuza – even the ones without a Kashrut certificate, everybody says "Shabbat Shalom" on Shabbat – even the ones at a soccer game and at least once each month Israelis are attending either a Brit Milah, kosher wedding or paying a shiva call.

In Israel, Judaism – or Yiddishkeit as I prefer to call it – is all around you. Don't get me wrong. I am well aware of my Jewish brothers and sisters who would prefer that this not be the case but like it or not, that is simply the way it is. Remember the commercial for Trix cereal where the slogan was: "Silly Rabbit, Trix are for kids"?? Well, here in Israel, the expression is: "Silly Rabbit, Israel is for Jews"!!

A good friend of mine told me that recently he spent Shabbat in his father's hospital room in Shaarei Tzedek. The person next to his dad was listening to the radio when the top of the hour arrived for the news. The anchorman began his report by saying; "It is now 10:00 AM. Here is the news from Jerusalem. Shabbat Shalom." That started me thinking. Imagine a totally secular fellow from Ramat Aviv who plans on spending Shabbat wearing his new Speedo with his girlfriend on the beach in Herziliya (I will leave out what she will – or will not – be wearing). The last thing this guy wants is anything religious. He packs the car, picks up the girl and starts driving. A few minutes into the journey the news comes on his radio and the first thing he hears is: "Shabbat Shalom"

As the title of this article says: "You can run, but you can't hide". This poor guy who just wants some fun-in-the-sun is out of luck because Shabbat is coming with him. Allow me to shock you with some additional information. On Friday the beaches in Israel are packed. Most offices are closed on Friday so this has become almost like a "Sunday" to us and people use every second of that precious day. The problem is that the lifeguards go home at 5:00 PM and swimming is forbidden after that time. Why do they leave so early on Friday when the sun is still shining? Well, next time you are by the beach in Israel, hang around until 5:00 and listen to what the lifeguard announces: "Everyone out of the water. Swimming is now forbidden. All lifeguards are leaving. Shabbat shalom." Within minutes the beach clears out, people head for their cars and drive home. Trust me that I know what I am talking about. I live in Herziliya Pituach near the beach and see this with my own eyes each week. The parking lot empties and the streets are clear of traffic for the next 5 hours as people head home for Shabbat - even our buddy in his new Speedo. It is simply incredible.


Read More:

http://www.jewishisrael.org/eng_contents/articles/Sackett/sackett007.html

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