To Life

In Jerusalem, Bnei Brak, Kefar Chabad
     everywhere, little huts, though no sod
  Miniature tabernacles, laden with flowers
     fruits, vegetation, pretty decorations   

  The Fall Harvest Festival, Sukkot, has come
     Jews live in these huts seven days
  Though not when it rains (We're not that dumb)  

  A celebration where we invite one and all 
     to join us for a rousing 'L'Chayim' 
       ~ sung on the wings of 'a bissel' alcohol


  __________________________________________________
   Notes: Bnei Brak is a very religious suburb of Tel Aviv, Israel
             Kefar Chabad is village of Luba Chassidim in Israel
             L'Chayim means 'To Life!'
             'a bissel' means 'a little' in Yiddish

celebrationdrinkholidayjewishpeoplerhyme

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Valsa George

October 3, 2023 at 9:43 PM

It is very interesting and enlightening to know of the indigenous traditions and practices of people. It will be great fun and a rewarding experience having such communal stay for glorifying God. Thank you for sharing, dear Gershon

Gershon Wolf

October 3, 2023 at 8:01 PM

btw, fellow soupers: If you know German, you can certainly understand Yiddish, a 13th century creation which combined a 'kitchen German' with Hebrew letters and a few Hebrew words. It became the vernacular for European Jews, who were increasingly ghettoized by the Church, and therefore developed their own lingua franca. Today it is spoken mostly by ultra-orthodox Chassidim in New York City and in Israel, although there is a tiny secular revival of the language as well. ~ gw

Shirley Hawkins

October 3, 2023 at 7:54 PM

A Bissell may be supped by many at the harvest festival; I thought it was a Bushel to measure volume as in a Bushel and a Peck. (Ignorance is bliss)

Gershon Wolf

October 3, 2023 at 8:03 PM

Well, there's a Yiddishism known as 'a pekele,' as in 'Icht haub a pekele tzuros,' i.e., I have a pack of troubles (or sorrows). So, you were not too far off there! ~ gw

Michael Tor

September 30, 2023 at 10:11 PM

Gershon I love your holiday traditions. I took some time off. Hope you have a safe celebration and God is honored by your and your families efforts... God bless...

Bj Legros Kelley

September 30, 2023 at 2:49 PM

So FUN!! Be blessed dear Gershon!

Gershon Wolf

October 3, 2023 at 8:06 PM

Keep having fun, BJ, and keep smiling! Laughter, Levity, Life! :) gw

Ilene Bauer

September 30, 2023 at 11:49 AM

Enjoy the holiday, Gershon! I’ll bet more than a bissel alcohol will be consumed!

Gershon Wolf

October 3, 2023 at 8:09 PM

O, Ilene. You dare doubt me?! lol. Actually, just a teeny-weeny CASE or two. (Just teasing. I'm a tea-totaler, actually).

Arlo Parker

September 30, 2023 at 11:40 AM

L’Chayim, Lobo!!!! Blessed Be! :-))

Karen Jones

September 29, 2023 at 6:21 PM

Thanks for the educational notes as I learn from them. Is it appropriate to say Happy Sukkot? Well in case it is not best wishes as you celebrate Sukkot!

Joseph P. DiMino

September 29, 2023 at 5:37 PM

Very enlightening. Have a joyful holiday my friend! Is Bissel Brothers beer the same traditional recipe, or something entirely American and Different? Anything alcohol excites my interest:) Blessings my friend.