in response to the free palestine anon, i am giving you the opportunity to write your five favorite things about Israel and/or Judaism ✡️
I’ve decided to do both lol
1. Spontaneity and improvisation culture: In Israel, many things happen without much planning in advance, and that is completely normal. For example, pol say “we’ll see tonight” and it actually turns into a gathering of 10+ people within an hour, Even more “formal” events often remain flexible and change on the spot.
2. Very direct communication style: People in Israel tend to speak very directly, even with people they don’t know well. It can feel intense sometimes bc we’re very honest. Basically, We are very open w/ one another, so you can find yourself listening a stranger telling you their life story w/o any prob.
3. Humor as a coping mechanism: Humor is a central part of Israeli daily life, even in stressful situations. It’s part of our strong mental resilience.
4. Fluid social boundaries: In Israel we are very warm towards each other, very open and friendly. The mutual support in Israel is amazing, if someone is in need, dozens and even hundreds of people will come together in no time to help. Strangers here start deep conversations on buses or in public spaces as if they’re friends from kindergarten.
5. Improvisation and practical problem solving: In Israel, there is a very strong tendency to deal with situations in real time rather than waiting for ideal conditions or formal solutions. This creates a culture where improvisation is not seen as “messy,” but as a normal and even valued skill. We learn how to maneuver through situations without a problem.
1. Shabbat: Shabbat is considered a holy day of rest dedicated to family and the soul, and it doesn't matter if you are secular or religious, It has a traditional importance to the whole people. On Friday evening (in Judaism, Friday evening is already considered Shabbat), we light 2 candles for Shabbat and do “Kiddush” with family and friends to welcome Shabbat. Kiddush is a religious ceremony that includes a meal, and it's a real experience. It's like there's a holiday every week.
2. Mezuzah: it’s a small parchment scroll that’s placed on the doorpost of a Jewish home. It serves as a reminder of faith and Jewish identity every time someone enters or leaves the house. In a broader sense, it symbolizes that even ordinary spaces like a home are meant to be spiritually meaningful.
3. To make the bride and the groom happy on their wedding day: There is a mitzvah to bring joy to the bride and groom on their wedding day. In many cases, people also make an effort to support the couple and create a very joyful atmosphere at the celebration. For example: Sometimes, there are couples who don’t have many guests, or many of the invited guests don’t show up. In such cases, people often post on social media about a wedding where the hall is nearly empty and invite the public to come. There is always a strong response, and within a short time, hundreds of people arrive to celebrate and make the bride and groom happy.
4. Shema Yisrael: Shema Yisrael is one of the most central and important prayers in Judaism. It expresses belief in the oneness of God and is considered a fundamental statement of Jewish faith, and also said in important moments of life, especially in times of danger or joy, as a way of expressing trust and spiritual connection.
5. Passover: Passover Seder is the main evening of the Jewish holiday of Passover, where families gather to tell the story of the Exodus from Egypt. They read the Haggadah, eat symbolic foods like matzah and bitter herbs, and celebrate freedom through rituals, questions, and family traditions.
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