Tuesday, December 19, 2017

Light of the Maccabees (observations on reflecting the light)

 
     Should Hanukkah be a time of celebration and joy?  What's it all about, actually?  Is it really about the miracle of the oil?  What really IS the 'Light of the Maccabees,' anyway?  Growing up in America, the focus of Hanukkah was always celebrating the miracle of the consecrated oil (of which there was only a supply for 1 day, lasting for eight in the rededicated Temple which was cleansed after driving the Greeks from it), eating fried foods and getting presents.
        The lights are wonderful and even, mesmerizing - especially coming at such a cold and dark time of the year.  And particularly in Israel, where it's ALL about Hanukkah; there are no other holidays competing for your attention.

         But, Hanukkah is really ALL about the Maccabees and their heroic struggle to rid the Land of Israel of the Greeks, their Hellenist supporters and redeem the Temple.  We read it in the Al Hanissim ('On the Miracles') section of the Amidah: "You championed their cause, judged their claim, and avenged their wrong. You delivered the strong into the hands of the weak, the many into the hands of of the few, the impure into the hands of the pure, the wicked into the hands of the righteous..."  And due to their heroic sacrifices, not only were the Jewish people saved from extinction - but they have provided the inspiration to this very day for our modern day Maccabees - the men and women of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
      From the earliest days of the return, rebuilding and rebirth of the modern State of Israel, the connection has been obvious. 
         The Maccabees, against all odds fought to preserve the Torah, the Temple and the Jewish people.  The 'Light of the Maccabees' is that spirit of dedication, commitment and self sacrifice for what is truly most important in our lives.

         Yeah, the donuts are great; standing in a supermarket and hearing the announcement that there will be a public candle lighting in the center of the store - make you feel like you are all involved in Hanukkah.  Particularly those like me, who have the special privilege of living in Modi'in - the home town of the Maccabees.  But, as the very name, Hanukkah - which means dedication (it's the same root of my name, Hanoch) reminds us - it is a time to (re)dedicate ourselves to the Land of Israel and ALL the people of Israel.  That is the 'Light' that the Maccabees have passed on to us is - and THAT should be our inspiration to rise to the occasion - to: Be Maccabee Inspired!

Friday, November 24, 2017

Thanksgiving, turkeys and the Israel connection

    Well, as I'm traveling around the USA once again speaking to groups I have 'bumped' into Thanksgiving.  When I was growing up in New York City, I always appreciated Thanksgiving - it represented many things, the most important of which was being thankful for what we've all been blessed with.


     People struggle with that concept sometimes - but there are many, many things that we have been truly blessed to have and experience. The most precious of that is the love, support and caring of family and friends; although not always in that order, right?  ;-)

     As a kid, it also represented time off from school (yes!!) and a delicious meal that my mom, Of Blessed Memory would cook; Yummy...
    In the Bronx, in school we used to draw pics of turkeys, but mom's was always SO much better...
    But, wait a minute - isn't this a blog about Israel?!?   Isn't this called, 'A Good Report from the Land' ??  So, what's the connection with Israel?  Well, I could start comparing Thanksgiving with Sukkot, the Feast of Tabernacles,and that would be interesting.   But there's actually something else I wanted to bring to your attention regarding Israel, turkeys and Thanksgiving.

    Did you know that Israel is the world's leader in per capita consumption of turkey?!  Astounding, right?   Who knew?
    Based on statistics from the U.S.Department of Agriculture (from 1999, the last year those statistics were compiled), we Israeli's consumed a massive 28.9 pounds of turkey, per person!!   That same year, Americans ate only 17.6 pounds of turkey (much of which was probably gobbled down on Thanksgiving Day, right? LOL). 
       For those of you who've been to Israel, you know we serve turkey so many different ways.  Unlike the beef pastrami you're used to, our cold cuts are turkey.  Turkey pastrami, salami, bologna, you name it.  And of course - the delicious breaded, fried schnitzel and turkey schwarma - It's all turkey, just spiced differently.  We Israeli's are so clever, right?!   ;-)
          

Thursday, October 5, 2017

Sukkot, sukkot, everywhere...

"You shall dwell in booths (sukkot in Hebrew) seven days....that your generations may know that I made the children of Yisrael (Israel) to dwell in booths when I brought them out of Mitzrayim (Egypt): I am the Lord your God."   Vayikra (Leviticus) 23:42-43.  Yes, it's THAT time again - it's Sukkot!!! 

Throughout Israel, sukkot of all sizes have been popping up since Yom Kippur ended, last Saturday night.  Families have been building, decorating and preparing for this joyous festival, and now - it's here!

Here's a pic of my daughter's pausing for a hug in the midst of decorating our very first sukkah in Israel (2009).   What's truly amazing is that here in Israel, you'll find sukkot, just about EVERYWHERE! 
From right at the back of the Western Wall (Kotel) plaza, 

to the most densely populated parts of Jerusalem! (photo credit Ha'aretz)

And to every part of our society, especially our beloved men & women of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and it's EVRY branch of service in the IDF, too!
From those who stand watch operating our anti-missle batteries
(courtesy of the Israel Defense Forces)

our Air Force (courtesy of the Israeli Air Force)

Our Navy, both while they're on land, (courtesy of the Israeli Navy)

and even when they're under water! (courtesy of the Israeli Navy)

Sukkot is a wonderful, joyous time spent with family and friends.  And I've even gotten to spend time with my friends visiting enjoying a good meal out.  Yes, many of our restaurants put up their own sukkot, can you believe it?!


Trust me - there is NOTHING like Sukkot in Israel! 

Wishing everyone a Chag Sameach - a joyous Sukkot with love & hugs from the Chosen Land

Hanoch
Kolyehuda.hanoch@gmail.com
Kolyehuda.com

Connecting you to Israel 





Sunday, October 1, 2017

Some good eating in the Good Land - Part 1

    Most people who come to Israel absolutely LOVE the food here.  They rave about the humus, falafel, shwarma, Israeli salads, shakshuka, fresh fruits, shnitzel, our breads and of course - the famed, 'Israeli breakfast.'  But where do we Israelis go to eat?  There are no end to the good chicken/beef grill places, but what would I suggest if you want to try something really unique?  Well, this is part 1 of a sub-section of my blog, which we'll call: 'Some good eating in the Good Land,' okay? 
In each installment, I will feature a really cool Israeli restaurant, that you've probably never heard of.  And yes - only for you, my dear readers, will I make the 'sacrifice' of actually trying all this yummy stuff.  Only for you   ;-)

For #1, let's talk about Ishtabach, located right outside (Hashikma Street) of the amazing Machane Yehuda 'Shuk' (market) in Jerusalem.  One of my favorite places in all of Israel, where I buy lots of goodies and now get to try out some of the newest, cutting edge varied ethnic cuisines in the country.  

What's unique about Istabach is it only features a delicious meat filled pastry, like a boureka, called a shamburak.  It is a Kurdish- Syrian (Yay Kurdistan!!) delicacy that is almost beyond belief.
It is a made to order pastry, each of which has Indian flavored Mashed potatoes inside, along with chimichurri sauce.  And your choice of perfectly cooked meats - ranging from short ribs, chicken, brisket, tongue, etc.  I had the tongue (when eating out, why not get something you never make, right?) and sampled the brisket.  Absolutely delicious!  

It is one of the few places in Israel where you can't get chips ('French Fries' for those who haven't been out of the USA), but they have great potato wedges, which are like small roasted potatoes. The meal is served with a few small dishes, called mezze which give you some other delightful tastes.
I HIGHLY recommend Ishtabach (okay, to be totally honest - I am only going to feature the best, most unique places - I don't want this blog to become a food critic's toy, after all); you have GOT to try it.  When you're in Jerusalem, after a full day of guiding, let's go there for dinner, okay?  ;-)

With love & hugs from the Chosen Land,
Hanoch
Kolyehuda.hanoch@gmail.com 

Sunday, September 24, 2017

Who are the 'Watchmen on the walls of Jerusalem' that the Prophet Yeshayahu (Isaiah) speaks of?

For his Bar Mitzvah at the age of 13 (reaching the age of religious responsibility), every Jewish boy chants a portion of the Prophetic readings.  This is called the Haftara, and it is a section of the prophets chosen specifically because it matches up (thematically) with the Parsha, the weekly Torah portion.  For my Bar Mitzvah, I chanted the Haftara from Parshat Nitzavim which covers part of Yeshayahu (Isaiah) Chapter 61, all of 62 and part of 63.  There are so many astounding verses in these chapters, and without realizing it, they have set the tone for how I have tried to live my life.
One of the most intriguing ones though is when the Prophet relates the prophecy given to him by HaShem (God) which states, "I have set watchmen on your walls, O Yerushalayim (Jerusalem), who shall never hold their peace day or night..."  (Yeshayahu 62:6).  I used to ponder this verse, wondering who could these, "watchmen"  possibly be.  And it has only been over the last few decades that this has actually become clear.

It has only been within the last thirty years that people of all faiths, from around the world have been woken up to the deep connection that they have to both the Jewish people and the Land of Israel.  Largely (although not exclusively) coming from a background in Christianity, people, who in many cases have never met a Jewish person in their lives, begin to feel an inextricable bond with Jewish people around the world, but particularly in Israel.  

I have always been astounded at the phenomenon of how people, who are convinced they have no link to Israel or to it's people, wind up coming here - often not knowing how they 'chose' or 'decided' to come to Israel in the first place.  It's because it wasn't them that made that choice or decision.  They received a Divine invitation to come to His Land, to begin experiencing what He had in mind for them.  As a Licensed Israeli Tour Guide I meet people all the time who tell me they don't have any Jewish relatives and had never even met an Israeli until they arrived at Ben Gurion Airport!  And yet, they describe the intense emotions upon seeing Israel as the plane is preparing to land, their uncontrollable weeping and sense, after stepping off the plane of 'being at home.' It's something that does not happen any where else in the world; only here, in Israel.

The links that these lovers of Israel develop are often channeled into real and ongoing support for Israel on all levels - , political activisim, buying Israeli products and bringing others here to have their own, life-changing Israel experience.  THEY are the 'watchmen' that Yeshayhu spoke about!!  They are the ones standing alongside Israel and the Jewish people.  Whether or not they feel that they are brothers & sisters, or 'spiritual kin' - they have been called to BE those watchmen on the walls.  

We have spent too many years focusing upon those things that could potentially divide us.  Those  walls of mistrust, built up over two millennia of horrific persecutions are being broken down by pure, unconditional love and respect.  Instead of talking about each other, or at each other, we are actually talking to, each other...

This is the era when we have begun to see prophecy actually being fulfilled before our very eyes.  And those who are flocking to Israel and to stand with us aren't coming just to see cool sites.  They are coming because they have been called to be the watchmen on the walls of Jerusalem; nothing less. May we embrace these watchmen and work together on behalf of our beloved Eretz Yisrael - the Land of Israel.

With love & hugs from the Chosen Land,

  Hanoch

Tuesday, September 19, 2017

A Return and New Beginnings...

                   A Return and New Beginnings...

Israel is the reason I exist - it is the very essence of my being.  It had been my intention to start blogging about Israel, regularly, before - but, for a variety of reasons, it never quite happened.  How much of life is like that?  We KNOW what we should be doing and many times we actually even 'begin' doing it.  But then what we call 'life' intrudes and those plans are pushed aside; like so many other times in life, right?  Only to be re-started at some later date.  Maybe at a 'better' time.  Whatever 'better' is supposed to mean...

In Israel, there's actually an expression that people use that speaks about this, it translates as, "All beginnings are difficult."  The thing that has always fascinated me about this is that 'beginning' is in the plural - 'beginnings.'  The reason?  We often find ourselves beginning the same thing, over and over again.  And now, I get to do that very same thing with this blog, A Good Report from the Land. An idea whose time has come - a blog about all the good, meaningful, beautiful and prophetic things happening in Israel.

A blog that will feature the GOOD news from Israel, filled with inspiring pictures, developments in archaeology and those captivating background stories that us Tour Guides love to share with people. It will be my way of helping you connect to the land we all love; the land I always call, the Chosen Land - Israel.  I will share the history, significance and uniqueness of this most extraordinary place on earth.  Yes, they'll be 'fun facts' and even some Israeli recipes for those who want to recreate the very tastes they experienced here in Israel.

What better time to do this, then right now? As Rosh Hashana is rapidly approaching!  Rosh Hashana is more then the New Year, though.  We celebrate the very creation of the earth on that day.  It's a time of deep reflection upon where we've been and where we're going to be going.  The essence of the time period we are entering is Tshuva - often incorrectly translated as "repentance," when it really means, 'return,' or a 'turning' (back).  It is a time when we examine our behaviors, and not just regret, but rectify them.

It's a time when we realign our actions with our heart's desires and destiny. For me, it is always a new beginning, but more then just that.  It is an actual 'return' to where I should have always been.  I came to Israel to be part of the destiny of the people of Israel, not merely just to read about it in a book.  And I became an Israeli Tour Guide to share what I see and experience here with others.  This blog will be an extension of that - connecting you to the Land of Israel.  Count on it being posted at least once per week  - but often more times then that.  Please sign up for it, so it comes directly to your email; you won't want to miss a single post - believe me!

With my deepest wishes of a Shana Tova - a good year, filled with health, happiness, prosperity, contentment and the focus on becoming all that you were destined to be.

With love & hugs from the Chosen Land,

            Hanoch