Some Shabbus Reflections

Some random thoughts on Israel, the Middle East, and life in general, as they come to me:

I just got back from Shabbat dinner. It was my turn to cook. We had chicken nuggets, noodles, eggplant, and salad, along with poppy-seed and chocolate cookin. I’m really going to miss nice Shabbat dinners along with the times of preparation and hanging out afterwards. Americans need Shabbat. I’ve heard that if Israelis had the chance to do away with a day of rest on Shabbat, much like Americans have done away the day of rest on the Lord’s Day, even the most secular Jews would object. People need and want a Shabbat.

I was given the chance to write a thank-you letter to supporters of Musalaha’s reconciliation ministry today in my time helping out at the organization. This semester has been easy academically for me, and I’m glad volunteering has given me something productive to do. I really believe people (especially fellas) need to work and be kept busy. Doing too much of nothing is unhealthy. A professor of mine cancelled our third and final paper. Two of my professors here don’t take their classes seriously, and I’m certain this is why the aforementioned teacher canceled our final paper. Normally I’d be happy, but for now I’ve had enough of easy studies.

The political situation in the West Bank is really interesting, and no one really knows what is going on or what is going to happen there. Earlier this year, the Palestinian Authority gave into international (and American) pressure to hold democratic elections. Palestinians overwhelmingly elected a Hamas leadership, which is a problem to the rest of the world because Hamas is a terrorist organization that does not recognize Israel. So what has happened since then? The rest of the world has cut off aid to Palestinians and nearly 1/3 of the Palestinian work force, which works for the PA, has not received a paycheck in quite some time. Without money, things get interesting and people become unhappy. Welcome to democracy, our Arab friends.

I’ve learned to follow the rules of a gender-conservative society while I’ve been here. On Israeli buses, I would never think about sitting next to a religious Jewish woman (wearing a full head covering or wig along with a skirt that reaches the ground.) On Palestinian buses, I only sit next to guys. These buses only leave the station when they fill up completely, so I’m always sitting next to a person, and this person is never a Muslim lady.

Christian ladies are actually “looser” than Muslim ladies in Arab society. Christian ladies don’t wear hijabs, the full Muslim head coverings, and they often wear pants and other revealing clothing. Basically, if an Arab woman is not covered from head to toe, she is probably a Christian. I never look at Muslim women -- at all. I stair at the ground as I pass them and avoid eye contact at all costs. I’m somewhat afraid that if I say hello to a Muslim lady her angry Muslim brother, father, or husband will come chasing after me with a whip. I’ve learned a lot while I’ve been here, but I reckon I still have some stereotypes of people.

Iran is considering a law requiring all its citizens to dress according to a strict code. Included in this law is a provision requiring Jews, Christians, and other tiny religious minorities to wear badges of cloth identifying themselves as such. This frightens me, and I pray for the believers in Iran.

I’m coming home three weeks from tomorrow. I’m really looking forward to returning and to this summer, although I’ve got to learn to be content here in Israel for the next few weeks. I’ve got piles of stuff I’ve collected, now I need to figure out how I’m going to get it all home.

Shabbat Shalom, all.