chossid's PhotoBlog

Sheva Brochos

2009-11-08T01:53:22Z

Friday afternoon, about two hours before the onset of Shabbos (when all work ceses,) I found out that a girl who had attended our school, and had just gotten married in another city, was in Simferopol. A quick call, and they were delighted for us to make them Sheva Brochos.* While I would normally spend days preparing, it was not possible on such short notice. Thank goodness my freezer was well stocked, and I pulled off two Sheva Brochos -- one in the synagogue Friday nite, and another after Shabbos. What I didn't know until the guests of honor stepped in, was that her parents were making her a reception, kind of like a second wedding at the same time, and they had slipped out in order to do this -- thus Sheindel is in her wedding gown, while we are eating on paper plates! Also by way of explanation, once a Jewish woman is married, out of modesty, she should cover her hair, which is the reason for her hair covering. *In Judaism, there is a special commandment for a bride and groom to rejoice together for the week following their wedding, during which time the newlyweds are treated like a royal couple. They don't go to work and are even escorted everywhere by an "honor-guard"! During this week, a series of small festive get-togethers are held in honor of them, which are called Sheva Brachos (“seven benedictions”), referring to the seven blessings recited following the Grace After Meals, over a cup of wine. These are the same blessings recited under the chupah (marriage canopy,) mainly consisting of requests for G-d’s blessing for the newlywed couple.

Miracle / Standing Out!

2009-11-06T06:04:54Z

One evening, after the usual battle to find a parking space, my husband and son finally found a place, around the corner. They locked the car, and started walking away, when suddenly there was a loud explosion -- the car's engine! Thank G-d they were far enough away not to be hurt. Another minute of looking for a space, and...?!?! This is the result -- certainly stood out from the rest of the parked cars!

Cityscapes 1

2009-11-04T21:28:33Z

Belated Happy Birthday Ricky!

2009-11-04T09:35:16Z

Jewels: Rainy Windshield with Leaf

2009-11-03T22:15:20Z

Moonnight 2

2009-10-16T17:50:33Z

Mum's The Word

2009-10-15T18:12:44Z

In the latter photos, the mums were viewed through decaying grape leaves.

Sukkah Designs

2009-10-15T17:23:39Z

A Sukkah is a temporary hut in which Jewish people eat, (some even sleep in it, though we don't,) for 8 days in the autumn, to commemorate the way we lived when we traveled through the desert, from Egypt to the Land of Israel. The roof must be made of something that grew, such as bamboo, palm or evergreen branches, etc. Here in Crimea, we found some wooden shades to use. I like the shadowy designs, and the play of light, but miss the beautiful scent of evergreens...

More Summer's End

2009-10-14T13:52:17Z

Summer's End

2009-10-14T12:55:34Z