Shabbat and other Israel Local Custom Tips

Be aware of Shabbat! Remember, Israel is a Jewish state, and the observance of Shabbat (Sabbath) at sundown on Fridays, is a tradition that is respected throughout this country.

This means that some bus services and other activities, depending on where you are, may close earlier or be on a different schedule on Fridays, and this will last until sundown the following day (Saturday).

Just keep this in mind when making your plans - and it's always a good idea to check with the locals. They know best what's going on - or not - and when.

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Some people may be put off by seeing citizens (some clad in military garb, some in civilian attire) carrying rifles, or by having to share a public bus seat with an armed soldier. This never bothered me, since I understand that when you are 6 million Jews surrounded by some 300 million Arabs (not to mention the ongoing Palestinian-Israeli conflict), things can get dicey.

In Israel, everyone is drafted to a tour of duty unless exemption is sought for religious reasons (the Hassidics for example). I believe men have a compulsory service of 3 years, and women go for 2 years. Then they remain in the reserves until their mid fifties (according to one of my local sources!)

Hmmmm....this may explain why all the soliders I saw, seemed so young. They usually have a smile for you....it always strikes me as both fierce and poignant.

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We had the good fortune of being in Israel during the Hannukuh holidays and were therefore able to witness some things up close and personal. The menorah is something that holds 8 places for 8 candles - which represent the 8 days of Hannukuh. Each evening, the observing family will light one of the candles (if it's the first evening of Hannukuh, then the first candle is lit; if it's the second evening, then the first and second candles are lit, and so on and so forth). In the case of the Sampson household ( Martin_S ), a song was sung after lighting the candle. Tal was in charge of the candles.

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We were also lucky enough to be invited to a Hannukuh party/birthday party of Martin's good friend. If you know Martin, then you know there had to have been a bar-b-que....and there was! Some of the men were in the backyard cooking away over the grill...everything from chicken, sausage, pork chops (that's right!), steaks...you name it, it was on the grill.

Inside, lots of salads and latkes and other foods on several tables, sort of lending to that stereotype "Eat! Eat!"

And we did!

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As I said, inside, everything from potato latkes to special donuts were served to commemorate the celebrations taking place that evening. One of our best memories is of this local celebration...lots of wine, toasting to good health and good friends, and a wonderful, intimate glimpse into the life of our Israeli hosts.

We couldn't have asked for more!

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