Wednesday, July 22, 2009

corner view: 7:45 pm



i didn't follow much blogging for the last week, and missed out on the 7:45 pm photo sessions over the weekend. but i'm not going to miss another corner view.

so i am using these - 7:45 pm (or pretty close), thursday a couple of weeks back. the kabbalat shabbat, which means "receiving the shabbat". most kindergartens in israel do a kabbalat shabbat with the kids on friday mornings. two of the kids are chosen as ima and abba shabbat (mom and dad) and will bring the challa bread. then they do the traditional prayer, light candles, drink the kiddush wine, and pass a piece of bread out to each child, everything followed by singing and dancing.

sometimes my boys play kabbalat shabbat at home. sitting with kippas doing the whole thing. i think it's adorable.

israel is a very polarized country when it comes to religion. there is an unfortunate mix of religion and state. you cannot marry civil here. it must be religious - either jewish, muslim or christian. or you'll have to go abroad. like we did. and the common interest in what religion you belong to is overwhelming for someone who grew up in an extremely secular country like denmark. where, if you are religious, you most likely keep it to yourself, and it's considered a private matter.

i was not baptized, but i grew up with christian culture and traditions. religion has mainly been like a cultural phenomena to me. like visiting amazing catholic churches in sourthern europe. or experiencing a buddhist prayer in thailand. and here in israel there are the most sacred historical and religious sites. there's just something about walking down via dolorosa in jerusalem for example - even for a non-religious person.

many secular jews in israel are very anti religion. probably because it's being imposed on them against their will. like no public transportation on shabbat. or very investigative questioning into intimate details of their life when they apply for marriage in israel (which is through the orthodox rabbinut only). just to mention a few. some end up despising the religious people. others are absolutely relaxed about religion, but would still feel very bad - for historical reasons - if they were to celebrate christmas (where they would have no problem participating in a buddhist celebration, for example). and then there are all those who are not considering themselves religious, but still don't eat seafood, bacon or mix meat and milk. because it just doesn't seem right to them. and there are quite a few who never practice judaism except for one day a year, when they participate in the yom kippur fast.

so, beyond being partly responsible for the mess and insanity going on in the middle east, religion is also a very present issue among all the jews living in israel. it's present in the public institutions as well as in many of the private choices and considerations most people make on a daily basis. and it is present in my childrens play at home.

we're not religious. not keeping kosher or keeping shabbat. we do appreciate traditions, though. so these boys are celebrating easter and pesach, rosh hashana and new year, chanukka and christmas. like last year, where we had chanukka candles, chritmas tree, kippas and santa's hat - all in one merry mess:


more 7:45 pm corner views:

jane, ladybug-zen, ian, bonnie, esti, sophie, cele, modsquad, caitlin, joyce, ani, kim, a day that is dessert, natsumi, epe, kaylovesvintage, trinsch, c.t., jeannette, outi, schanett, ritva, francesca, state of bliss, jennifer, dana, denise, cabrizette, bohemia girl, dianna, isabelle, amber, a girl in the yellow shoes, mister e, janis, kari, jgy, skymring, elizabeth, audrey, allison, lise, cate, mon, victoria, crescent moon, erin, otli, amy, ida, caroline, lisa, dorte, kimmie, la lune dans le ciel, nicola, malo, vanessa, britta, virgina, april, b, kyndale samantha, karen, kristina, dorit, goldensunfamily, sophie, janet, mcgillicutty, desiree, di, travelingmama, aimee, sunnymama, amanda, ali, jenell, guusje, britta, juanita, pamela, inna, daan, myrtille, cris, ibb, susi, jodi, lily, gillian, athena, pienduzz, latisha, clairette, kelleyn, iris, demara

29 comments:

  1. how i love your posts! they a truly wonderful. I learn so much! and i love your outlook on life! education and open mindedness... it´s refreshing!

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  2. Wonderful post! So interesting. I always learn new things from your blog. Thank you for sharing xxx

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  3. Very interesting post, as usual... Thanks Trinsch ! You make me practise my poor english.. I don't know if i understand all but i learn something about the jews religion. Here in france, we try to stay republicans and laymen but that's become difficult... Have a wonderful week !

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  4. I enjoyed your post...very interesting to read the traditions and historical background of the jewish religion.

    Love the pictures of the boys. What curly & beautiful hair the boys have!

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  5. Like I said before, your posts are so interesting and educating. I feel like a know so little about Israel (compared to the countries surrounding it) so thanks for the info.

    ps. your boys look adorable with those little hats :-)

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  6. I think your heartedly "merry mess" is the best way to celebrate traditions as a family.

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  7. i agree with jane-refreshing!

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  8. I like that you celebrate it all. And I love your photos!

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  9. I agree. Every time I come to your page I feel as if I have learned something new, and something about you. Very refreshing indeed. This post made me realize a lot of people in America take their freedoms for granted. It's very interesting how the marriage thing works there.

    **Oh and that last picture had me smiling. How cute!

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  10. A great post! Your little ones are so... cute!! xoxo

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  11. Shabbat shalom ... I think a "merry mess" should be practiced and tolerated everywhere. Maybe you can start a movement! Also, one must do it in diapers ;)

    Thanks for another interesting and educational post.

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  12. wonderful and very interesting post. i like your kids plays - it's really adorable. happy week*

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  13. What a beautiful merry mess. I love those little kippas. I teach religion in a multi cultural school so this post is very interesting to me.

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  14. it looks like kids are enjoying !!!

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  15. ooh
    they are so beautiful and cute!!

    :)

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  16. i love your 'merry mess'. glad you are all feeling better!

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  17. Oh, your kids are super cute and make me smile!!! Do they know how to play guitar?? Great shots!! ox

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  18. they are so cute !!! and i love the lighting you got in these shots ...

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  19. Your children are very cute! We are also not a religious family, but my son went to a nursery school that was purchased, during his second year there, by a Baptist minister and his wife.My son will occasionally ask to pray before meals, even now (it's been 4 years since he went there). He has also asked us why we don't celebrate chanukka, so we have several picture books about chanukka. I think it's great that you celebrate everything.

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  20. Hi Trinsch-

    It is me again. You asked about the move we saw over the weekend (on my blog). You know how some movies are a must to watch at the theater and others are nice to watch at home. I liked the movie, but it was one for home. My husband most of the time, is a good sport to sit and watch girl flicks with me.

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  21. I absolutely love learning about this! Love your views. Your little guys are so dang cute!!

    Thanks for your sweet, sweet words yesterday!

    Happy Day, Trinsch!

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  22. this is so interesting. i didn't realize that non-religious marriages were not allowed. i grew up much like you are raising your kids, with parents of different religions who joined us in celebrating a lovely mish-mosh of traditions... i am very grateful for it.

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  23. A sweet great day !!! And cute children ;) Thanks for sharing !!

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  24. love your post, the way you have of treating some heavy things with so much lightness. if more people did, many things would be easier, wouldn't they?!

    have a wonderful weekend!

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  25. tehehe, you know what came up as word verification just now?! "nonsnogr" oh so true. sometimes i hate being single! :)

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  26. Oh I agree with the comments above - wonderful and informative post. And your kids look so cute!

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  27. Your little ones are adorable! Isn't it amazing how much religion influences our lives, whether it is our own or not? We are Christians living in a Muslim nation and it can be very strange at times.
    Wishing you the best!

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  28. Hi there, for some reason I couldn't post a comment but now I can.
    I love the pictures of your children. They are so cute.
    And I love the merry mess - so great that your children can see and learn about these different traditions.
    Great post!

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