Tomb of Samuel

I have been learning in Mayanot Yeshiva for about four weeks now.  Here are some photos from a trip I took to the alleged Tomb of Samuel the Prophet: 

This is the alleged burial place of Samuel the Prophet.  The site was built by crusaders, who claimed to have exhumed the bones of Samuel and reburied them here to establish a tourist destination –- one of their many thuggish ways of earning an income. 

We went early, so as to catch the sunrise.

The Tomb of Samuel is one of two places where a synagogue and mosque are built together, the other location being the Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron.  Externally, only the mosque is visible.   

Inside, there is a small schul with a books for study.

An ancient wine press. These are scattered throughout the park, along with many stone quarries and pits.  Around 582 BCE, Gedalia, Nebuchadnezzar’s appointed governor of the province, was assassinated and his body thrown into one of the pits.  His murder led to a breakdown in relations with the Babylonians and the destruction of the First Beis HaMikdash in 586 BCE.

Wild almond trees blossoming.  The park was also filled with wild carob trees and olive trees, which had been planted.

The local mikvah in a small cave.  I would have gone in, but I already had a cold and didn’t want to risk pneumonia.  As one of my friends testified, the water was so cold that it sucked the air out of his lungs.

An archeological excavation.  Notice the trademark Herodian stones which can be found throughout Israel.    

Theexcavation of a housing complex.  Small homes were packed next to each other and over times houses were added on top. 

Yup, that is I. 

One of my friends on the trip is a professional photographer. He caught this scene of us davening shachaaris just as the sun peaked over the horizon. 

Jet Lag

There is absolutely nothing more frustrating to me as an international traveler than dealing with jet lag.  I’ve been in Jerusalem for about six days, and i’m still unable to sleep through the night - last night I awoke bright and early at about 2:45am, which has made me thoroughly sluggish and unproductive throughout the day…

We can only push onward and upward.    

And We’re Here

Arrived 6:50am in Tel Aviv, and took a shuttle to Jerusalem about 9:00am, B”H.  I’m incredibly exhausted right now, so the overwhelming nature of the initial experience has been increased ten-fold.  However, I am really happy to be here.  Israel is such an incredible country.  It really feels biblical – even driving past an open field, I’m half expecting to see some sort of camel caravan trudging along in the distance.  I’ll be posting plenty more of my impressions later on.  Best!   

Going to Israel

By the time this post hits the good ol’ Internet, I will be about 6,000 miles away in Jerusalem, Israel.  I’m going to learn at a yeshiva for at least one year, and after that……? 

There’s so much I’m leaving behind, family and friends being the most obvious.  I’ve heard numerous reports about life in Jerusalem, what I should expect, what to look out for, etc.  Truthfully, in some ways I’m not excited about yeshiva the same way I was about university – I suppose the disappointment I experienced in college has maybe softened my enthusiasm for exploration and trying new things.  At any rate, I know that no matter what happens when I get to Israel, I will be preparing myself for an incredible personal learning experience.  

I’ll try and follow up sometime next week with my initial impressions.   

List of Five Favorite Scotch Whiskies

Note: This List only includes Single Malt Scotch, not Blended.  Having turned 21 somewhat recently, my experience with tasting is rather limited.  Also, this list is not ordered: 

• Laphroaig 10yr Cask Strength (definitely my top favorite) 
• Springbank 10yr 100 proof 
• Glenmorangie 10yr
• Highland Park 12yr
• Lagavulin 16yr 

In general I like whiskies with unusual, big flavors.  I love Islay peat-monsters, but I also love the soapy, briny flavors of whiskies like Springbank.      

You Gotta Fight For Your Right To Party (in the PRC)

It’s illegal to be Jewish in the PRC
It’s not really enforced; it’s just a technicality
Still there ain’t no kosher food, so I got nothing to eat
I’d have to gnaw off my own leg just for a piece of meat.

Chorus:
You gotta fight
For your right
To PAAAAAAAARTY!

The liquor is all fake but for a decent price
You put it in the freezer it becomes a block of ice
But it’s safer than the water and it’s better than the wine
I’m not sure which to drink; they all taste like turpentine.

Chorus

The people in the streets they always stare me down
They do it on the planes and on the trains around the town
The best way to cope is just to stare them back
The expressions on their faces looks like they’ve had a heart-attack.

Chorus 

Haiku for a Summer Evening

Moth glides lightly past.
In a flash of sparks it’s gone.
Bug Zapper burns on.