Smoke Rises Over the City

At Maktessh Ramon

I walked out of the apartment yesterday and there was the noticeable smell of smoke in the air. It was similar to what happens in Alaska during the early summer when there are forest fires. What was all this smoke from? A forest fire seemed unlikely in the desert, could it be a large house fire, burning tires near the security fence (wall) – I’ve seen that form of protest before-- or worse yet, a terrorist attack?

As I road across town on the bus it became clear that the smoke was from small crowds of people burning the last of their leavened products (hametz) in preparation for Passover.

Preparing for Passover in Jerusalem

For the past week I have seen evidence of Passover preparation. Grocery store shelves have increasingly had labels indicating which products are kosher for Passover. People have been walking on the streets toting new brooms, mops and other cleaning products. At the bus stop people have had boxes of new small kitchen appliances. Restaurant owners have been outside scrubbing tables and chairs. This is Spring cleaning Jewish style.

I can also report that boxed matzah in Israel is as tasteless as boxed matzah in the United States. Over the next week I’m going to try and find freshly made matzah to see if that has any better taste.

Hannah & Noah South of Hebron

Hannah & Noah South of Hebron