Israel is a Jewish and Democratic state. Most of the year, this definition is complicated and disrupting, but during a few weeks every year – it is beautifully simple and unifying all religious streams on the Judaism scale. It happens during the Hebrew month of Tishrei, when we mention Rosh Hashannah, Yom Kippur and Sukkot. During this month, Israel turns into a beautiful vision of brotherhood, as the Jewish citizens of Israel put their differences aside, and celebrate together.
Outside of Israel, maintaining a Jewish lifestyle is not a simple task and one’s Jewish identity cannot be taken for granted, especially during this time of year. One must work hard to surround yourself with holiday customs and habits, as there are more open non-kosher restaurants than closed Kosher ones, and more backyards without a Sukkah than ones with one. Here, in Israel, things are much simpler. You basically can’t escape the Jewishness that surrounds you. All of Israel, from north to south, is being covered with the Jewish Holiday spirit. It is as if a magic spell was cast on Israel, spreading festivity on every street, coloring the land in pure white, nurturing us with joy.
It doesn't matter where you are on the religion scale – secular, religious, ultra-orthodox, reform – during the month of Tishrei, everyone is simply Jewish. All intolerance and disrespect between us dissolve, and is being replaced with a feeling of family warmth. The people themselves seem to be less angry and anxious. Less honking when there’s traffic, less impatience while waiting in line at the grocery store. It's almost as if we live in a Disney movie. The usually rude, easily triggered Israelis seem to forget their stereotypes, and express their appreciation to their friends, family, neighbors and even strangers.
Not everybody celebrates the same way, and not everyone is strict on the customs, but on Erev Hag (the holiday eve,) the streets are packed with people, shopping, making last minute purchases of traditional food supplies, of festive clothes, or presents for the hosts. Everyone is smiling, for we all understand each other, sharing the same holiday excitement and getting ready to spend a long anticipated family quality time.
At around 6pm in Rosh Hashannah and Sukkot eves, the roads of Israel are sparkling with light. Although it is the headlights of thousands of cars crawling in traffic on their way to the hosting relative, almost no one is honking or yelling or cursing. Families, all dressed up, are sitting shoulder to shoulder in their cars, barely moving, and enjoying the best of the Israeli music playing on the radio, as part of the “Yearly Countdown” of our national radio station. Even the worst of traffic jams would not ruin the optimism in the air. For about a month, there is almost no bad news. No Anti-Semitism in Europe, no violence, no political feuds. The newspapers are filled with special holiday interviews and very optimistic summaries of the year. It is almost as if all that's wrong in the world fades away.
The highlight of Tishrei is Yom Kippur. It is where the togetherness, the feeling of shared experience, is at its peak. On that day, the synagogues are packed, with religious and non-religious people sit together and pray, in very private yet collective moments between man and God. After dinner, when the fast begins, the streets are gradually being colored in white as people leave their houses, and go out to the streets to meet with their neighbors. Some then go straight to temple, some stay and talk with their friends, sometimes until dawn. Since no cars are allowed to drive on that day, everyone can feel the silence and the clear air empowering the pure atmosphere. Not all people fast on Yom Kippur, but out on the street, everyone respects those who do, and there are no food or beverages plain in sight.
This month, which begins today as we all celebrate Rosh HaShannah, is one of the biggest collective experiences of the Jewish community in Israel. Moreover, it is the time when we put our own problems aside and open our wallets and our hearts for the ones in need, in order for them to have a decent holiday dinner as well. This, to me, is simply beautiful, and Israel at its best. HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
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