Digital Wanderer

We live as long as we fly

Israel — 10, day 6, farewell to the Negev desert and Shabbat

 2014-02-04

And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested (shabbat) on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made

Saturday is a sign of the covenant (that is, a symbol of the alliance) between God and the people of Israel. The Torah says: "You must observe my Sabbaths, for this is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; so that you may know that I am the Lord who sanctifies you"  (Ex. 31:13). The Sabbath prayers say: "and You did not give the Sabbath to the nations of the world, nor did You grant it to idolaters, but only to Israel — Your people, whom You have chosen."

Read more →

Israel — 9, day 6, a farm of high-altitude eco-friendly good-natured Alpacas

 2014-02-02

When I was planning my trip, I wanted to do a loop, hitting the towns of Yeruham and Dimona, and taking a train back from the latter. Life, however, is a bubbling, boiling thing that changes plans, and my previous trips had taught me a little to adapt on the fly. I agreed with Nathan that I would head back to him on the first bus on Saturday evening, and with Igal – that I'd crash in his hospitable hangar for one more night.  That's how the night from Friday to Saturday went. Jumping up at seven in the morning, I discovered Igal in the living room cuddling with an oriental beauty, both sleeping next to a pile of empty wine bottles. Igal politely inquired if they had kept me awake, which confirmed that the hot moans at three in the morning weren't just my imagination. The girl bashfully covered herself with a blanket, to which I flashed an encouraging smile, and stomped off to the kitchen - to cook some porridge.

The last day in the Negev desert had arrived. This time I rolled out in the other direction, and was warned: “rough descent, be careful”.

Read more →