Final dinner and goodbyes
Days 7 & 8 Thursday & Friday, 3/17 & 3/18/05 (Part 5)
Now that we were back at the Ohannas there was time for a quick shower before dinner. At dinner there again was a plentiful array of salads along with various main dishes. One topic of conversation was different practices between Sephardic and Ashkenazi Jews. Earlier Meni had proudly shown me the family’s complete set of the Zohar, a multi-volume set of Kabalistic teachings. He also referred to his grandfather as being very knowledgeable about Kabalah. During dinner I asked about how they celebrated Passover. Meni told me that before the start of the Seder several members of the family would wrap themselves in blankets and go outside. In effect they were playing the role of down-trodden slaves. The slaves would go to the front door, knock and call out asking to come in. The first two times they would be ignored. On the third attempt to gain entry those inside respond we will let you in and the door would open and the slaves would enter. I his telling I heard echoes of the line in the Hagaddah, let all those who are hungry enter.
The Seder is conducted with a complete reading of the Hagaddah in Hebrew and Aramaic. Participants take turns reading. Meni said that by chance participants would often end up reading portions that they had read the prior year, thus adding to the mystical nature of the gathering. Meni, for example, seemed to always get the reading about the Wise Son. Unlike our experience there is no special reading of the Four Questions by the youngest; the person whose turn it is to read reads that portion regardless of their age. Also, in addition to Elijah having a cup of wine set aside, he gets a reserved chair and place at the table.
We compared typical Seder menus. They ate chicken soup but without matzo balls. Their charoset was made from dates instead of apples. One delicacy I would not miss was the traditional serving of goat’s head. (The head fortunately does not appear at the table but that only helps a little.) They serve fish but not gefilte fish.
Following dinner Roni Alon, the women who hosted my daughter Alix and I in her home last May stopped by.
It was nice to see her again. We talked about the purpose of my trip this time. She inquired about my family and I inquired about hers. We spent about a half hour catching up but I’m afraid I was fading fast. We said our goodbyes and I went to bed so that I would be ready for the drive to the airport the next morning.
On Sunday morning (a work and school day) I said goodbye to Yakov before he had to go for the day. Meni took a picture of us together and through Meni Yakov invited me and my family to visit again. The goodbyes and photos were repeated with each family member. Then we packed up the car and Raya drove me to the airport and Meni accompanied us. I thanked Raya for her hospitality and good food as I gave her a kiss. I shook Meni’s hand and left them to go into the terminal. Thus, I ended a very meaningful visit to Israel.
Gary A
Now that we were back at the Ohannas there was time for a quick shower before dinner. At dinner there again was a plentiful array of salads along with various main dishes. One topic of conversation was different practices between Sephardic and Ashkenazi Jews. Earlier Meni had proudly shown me the family’s complete set of the Zohar, a multi-volume set of Kabalistic teachings. He also referred to his grandfather as being very knowledgeable about Kabalah. During dinner I asked about how they celebrated Passover. Meni told me that before the start of the Seder several members of the family would wrap themselves in blankets and go outside. In effect they were playing the role of down-trodden slaves. The slaves would go to the front door, knock and call out asking to come in. The first two times they would be ignored. On the third attempt to gain entry those inside respond we will let you in and the door would open and the slaves would enter. I his telling I heard echoes of the line in the Hagaddah, let all those who are hungry enter.
The Seder is conducted with a complete reading of the Hagaddah in Hebrew and Aramaic. Participants take turns reading. Meni said that by chance participants would often end up reading portions that they had read the prior year, thus adding to the mystical nature of the gathering. Meni, for example, seemed to always get the reading about the Wise Son. Unlike our experience there is no special reading of the Four Questions by the youngest; the person whose turn it is to read reads that portion regardless of their age. Also, in addition to Elijah having a cup of wine set aside, he gets a reserved chair and place at the table.
We compared typical Seder menus. They ate chicken soup but without matzo balls. Their charoset was made from dates instead of apples. One delicacy I would not miss was the traditional serving of goat’s head. (The head fortunately does not appear at the table but that only helps a little.) They serve fish but not gefilte fish.
Following dinner Roni Alon, the women who hosted my daughter Alix and I in her home last May stopped by.
It was nice to see her again. We talked about the purpose of my trip this time. She inquired about my family and I inquired about hers. We spent about a half hour catching up but I’m afraid I was fading fast. We said our goodbyes and I went to bed so that I would be ready for the drive to the airport the next morning.
On Sunday morning (a work and school day) I said goodbye to Yakov before he had to go for the day. Meni took a picture of us together and through Meni Yakov invited me and my family to visit again. The goodbyes and photos were repeated with each family member. Then we packed up the car and Raya drove me to the airport and Meni accompanied us. I thanked Raya for her hospitality and good food as I gave her a kiss. I shook Meni’s hand and left them to go into the terminal. Thus, I ended a very meaningful visit to Israel.
Gary A
posted by Gary A at 3:36 PM
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