The next morning it was off to the Rubin's where we would be celebrating Pesach. We arrived and were greeted with open arms. Keeping Pesach like shabbat is something new for me, but made the holiday much more relaxing. As we prepared for the seder children and family friends streamed in and out of the house with a chorus of Chag Sameach's ringing in our ears.
Josh was kind enough to give the girls the same tour that I did of the area, and I tagged along. Nicole and Whitney both had many questions - and Josh took the time to answer them, it was absolutely wonderful. After lunch, there was napping and lunch, then Shul in the evening.
Finally the Seder began around 8 in the evening. It was unlike anything I had ever experienced. We didn't just read the Haggadah, we dissected and discussed it, it was a night of many many questions - in fact the least important were probably the four traditional ones. At around 11, we combined a night of learning with eating, consuming a small feast. And then, it was back to the Haggadah. It was nothing like the painful experiences I have had and heard about from friends of just trying to get through the book. There was singing and dancing, and laughing. Everything was about questioning and understanding, enlightening. It was quite magical.
I awoke early, as always when in another bed, and played some backgammon. After lunch, I said I would catch up with the girls in a moment for a walk, but never found them. Instead, I meandered to a park where I layed down to watch the clouds go by.
Nicole said she could see me from a distance as I had fallen asleep in the park, I was curled up in a ball, the only identifying factor being my purple Kippa fluttering in the wind while still attached to my hair.
We headed back in time for a drumming havdallah like closing of the holiday. Every few minutes, the door would open and another small child carrying some instrument large or small, would enter and join into the jam session.
Whitney impressed me immensely, despite having arrived only the night before, she managed to stay awake and soak up everything through the 5 hour long ritual.
If continuing this tradition is a desire, it seems like I would be restricted on where I leave - certain parts of brooklyn or the upper west side come to mind as two examples of places where location plays a critical role and offers individuals the opportunity to live in a jewish community. Keeping shabbat is beautiful, if you share with family and friends, but I can't imagine it being a healthy and relaxing experience were it to feel like I was sequestered from society.
Being back with my family gave me a second chance to reflect on the nature of community in Judaism. We talk about the ghettos in such a negative way, in yet, they say that if they really wanted to get rid of the jews, they should just leave us to fight amongst ourselves. Between inner arguments and assimilation, the physical violence is barely anything. Being in a small entirely Jewish community was different and was nice. I commented to my friends how it was almost kibbutz like with the children running in and out of houses without a concept of property or ownership necessarily.
We decided to come back last night, after the sun went down and the busses were running again. Our return was relatively smooth, and I fell asleep shortly after arriving back in Ramla.
Now it is time to figure out the rest of my vacation. I lent my backpack to Ben, so hiking is out, and travel will have to be in my duffel bag, which decreases mobility. I am looking at some last minute options, but most of the things coming up are still expensive when flights and taxes and fees are involved. If nothing international, I will head up north with a friend or two whom rented a car and have invited me for some domestic travel.
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