It is difficult to accurately write down my Purim experience because it was one of those indescribable experiences that can only be lived. (which is pretty much the same case with my whole trip and everyone's life, however this form of communication will have to suffice for now) It felt like the whole city of Jerusalem was intoxicated. Since Jerusalem is the religious hub of Israel (Israel has 4 main holy sites, Jerusalem, Tiberias, Safed, and Hebron) and the Mitzvah (commandment) was to drink until you can not tell the differnce between wicked Haman and blessed Mordechai, let's just say that the people here took that commandment very seriously. Also bear in mind that in such a conservative environment, this is the one night of the year where getting drunk is not frowned upon but seen as a must. The most happening spot was by far, Mea Shearim- an area that means 100 Gates in Hebrew. This is a Haredi (religious) neighbourhood and my friends and I went to a few Tishes (means Table in Yiddish, and is typically where Hasidic Jews gather around their Rebbe to sing songs on Shabbat) On Purim, the whole place was buzzing wild with people dressed up in wild costumes all singing exuberantly in between sips of wine or beer. Outside on the streets, the scene looked like Mardi Gras, or Rio de Janiero with the festivities. Occasionally, there was the odd person who had too much to drink and was being helped by friends, or lying down on the ground. Most were walking with costumes, and behind masks so you could not see who was coming at you. One really does need to read the story of Purim to understand how a whole community can engage in such an outrageous manner. Refer to http://www.aish.com/purimparty/purimpartydefault/Drink_Till_You....asp to get a better explanation.
Tonight was a going away party for one of the Yeshiva guys, so we had a get together on top of a rooftop with the view of the whole old city. My good friend Adam Krepel and I were jamming on guitars together and we playing the song 'blue sky' by the Allman Brothers, that is one of my favourite songs. The days are getting quite hot here now, but the nights are cool and refreshing. I was thinking of how we were probably not too far away from where King David used to play his harp in the old city and now I realize how that gave him so much inspiration.
Tonight was a going away party for one of the Yeshiva guys, so we had a get together on top of a rooftop with the view of the whole old city. My good friend Adam Krepel and I were jamming on guitars together and we playing the song 'blue sky' by the Allman Brothers, that is one of my favourite songs. The days are getting quite hot here now, but the nights are cool and refreshing. I was thinking of how we were probably not too far away from where King David used to play his harp in the old city and now I realize how that gave him so much inspiration.
