Anti-status: Part II
In "Anti-status: Part I," I shared that Israelis view material goods differently than do citizens of many other nations. I cited pragmatics as the rationale for this cultural norm. In Part II of this exploration, I will share some of the ways in which this view of possessions affects my family.
Before aliyah, for instance, Boy-Getting-Taller dressed "New World;" shoes, socks, and a dark suit for Shabbat and hagim. It was his full intention, as well, that his parents would invest in the blackest of hats as part of our contribution to the celebration of his becoming Bar Mitzvah.
As a full-fledged local, however, this teen wears light colored pants to shul (citing to his folks a certain mystical rabbi's warning not to wear dark colors during holy times), sandals, and no socks. He was called up to his first aliyah, a few years ago, at the Kotel, as originally planned, but he was called up in a kippa; having been acculturated out of his desire for a hat.
Festival of Lights
Baruch Hashem, it's Hanukka! Whereas my family has been Blessed with friends and festivities, from a party for giggly teen girls (yes, Boy-Getting-Taller took refuge at one of his friend's homes) to sleepovers for the little ones, and a football game ("Mom, everyone has yeshiva break") for the big boys, we've been rocking. We've been Blessed, too, with Shabbot guests, with lots of calls back and forth to local and foreign friends, with out-of-country visitors, and with many other sweet forms of ruach.
The greatest radiance I've experienced, however, so far, this holiday, happened at shul, during Shabbot Shacharit services. A friend, whom I had not seen face-to-face in a very long time showed up for services. This friend has trouble walking.
As she moved down the narrow aisle of our Beit Knesset's women's section, shuffling quietly so as to not disturb the other women, I looked up. Shyly, I regarded her and shyly, she regarded me; we were there for prayer, not for socializing. It was hard, though, not to be excited to see each other.
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About this blog Old/New World Discourse
Professor, writer and mother of plenty explores "Israeliness."
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