Flooding in Ashkelon

Winter has certainly arrived in Israel. In some parts of the South, the weather seems to be rather heavy to say the least. Having had flooding in Tel Aviv area about a week ago, today we have been alarmed to see photographs and video footage coming onto Social Networking of flooding in Ashkelon. Can you imagine cars with rain up to the roof? Can you imagine being inside your apartment with water gushing in through the open window or around the closed door?

It's not easy to imagine, so take a look at these videos

In the next video you can get to learn a little Hebrew.

We read in the Chumash about the great flood. These images given one a glimpse of what it might have been like. We pray for rain but perhaps there is more that we need to pray for.

Have a blessed day. Stay safe and keep dry.

Shoshanah Shear

Chessed Ve'Emet

It's Raining in Israel!

  

At the end of Sukkot we began praying for rain. This morning we can certainly say that winter has arrived. It's time to take out the winter woolies and all the necessary rain gear. However, today's rain is no regular rain. 

The weather forecast for certain parts of Israel today said "intermittent thunder storms". It is wonderful to be able to say the blessing on thunder and the rain is certainly falling but the quantity is quite substantial to say the least. We got soaked when out doing errands today only to return home to see photographs of friends around Israel with amazing images. The water level is ankle deep in places, knee deep in others, up to the window on the car in some places. One friend posted that the street cats are having to go onto the roof for protection.

In parts of Israel, residents have been out of electricity a few days ago due to the rains and again today.

This is just the start of winter and certainly is a dramatic start. Hashem is certainly telling us something, are you stopping to listen?

I am sorry, we did not take any photographs today, but if any readers have good photographs to put into a guest post, please be in touch. 

Stay warm and dray this winter and be safe.

Have a blessed rest of your day

Shoshanah Shear

Chessed Ve'Emet

Snow in Jerusalem 2015

Yesterday we wondered if the snow would really arrive. Last night at about 8 pm or 9 pm the hail began to fall and settled a little. By the morning there was snow, thunder, lightening, the whole works. 

Everything is very pretty in white. This time there is quite a glare and mist. Not easy for taking photographs, but enjoy the few uploaded here.

If you are elsewhere in Israel, please be in touch and send through a few pics of the snow. We'd love to have a series of posts with snow around Israel in the second snow of this winter season.

Stay warm and Shabbat Shalom

Shoshanah Shear of Chessed Ve'Emet

Winter Storm in Israel

A week ago we were told there would be snow. We waited, and waited. Lots of sand blew in but no snow in sight. Then we heard it would happen this week. Gradually temperatures began to drop and predictions of snow kept coming in.

In our area for the past two days we have received phone calls warning us that intercity buses in certain areas are likely to stop running from mid-day Thurday, that's today. The message continued that if you plan to be going away for Shabbat, best to leave Thursday morning or change plans to be home for Shabbat and transport will be difficult due to the storm that is beginning. It is so heartwarming to know that our local bus service cares about our transport needs and our safety and extends this to where we will be for Shabbat.

Rain is falling where we are, while in the North, snow has in deed begun to fall. How amazing. Twice in one season. According to the internet, it usually snows every season on Mount Hermon and only occasionally in Jerusalem and Tzfat. 

I see on FaceBook that snow has begun in North Jerusalem, Hebron and Gush Etzion. We are still awaiting the snow. 

Stay tuned for updates.

If anyone has photographs of snow they are prepared to share, do be in touch. You are welcome to post a guest post of your photographs of snow in Israel.

Stay warm and keep up to date of transport and health facilities in your area.

Shoshanah Shear of Chessed Ve'Emet

Winter Storm

The weather this winter has been quite unusual. A few weeks ago we posted about a snow storm that was expected. We prepared in advance and awaited the snow. And we waited and we waited and we waited.

Yes we had some good hail and yes it progressed to be a little snow. But the snow fell just as we lit our Shabbat candles and melted before Havdala. Sadly, there are no photographs to show for the snow storm that was supposed to be or the little snow that was.

This week we were again warned of a storm that would end in snow, possibly on Thursday, which is today, and definitely on the weekend. 

Instead of the heavy rains, we have had strong sand storms. The light is different, the air is different and many in Israel have been suffering. Sadly, a trip to hospital for some has not even enabled them to receive the necessary treatment as the hospitals are currently full to overflowing.

The temperatures have dropped but there is no sign of snow, at least not where we are. I read on the news that there is snow on Mount Hermon. Will it snow in and around Jerusalem? As an Israeli mentioned to me today, I'll believe it will snow when I see it with my own eyes.

One thing is interesting though, in previous years, the chance of snow has been mentioned once in a winter. Twice is quite something. Definitely there are changes in the weather taking place.

Wherever you are, whatever the weather, stay warm, stay dry and have a blessed day.

Rain, Blessing and Currency

Earlier today the sun was shining through, now we are blessed once more with further rain.

Rainfall in its proper time in Israel is in fact a blessing and one that translates to parnassa or money and currency. So we have two issues here
1) Rainfall and the water in Israel and
2) Money and currency

For the first, the past week has seen lovely rainfall in Eretz Yisrael falling mostly in the centre of the country, along the Mediteranian and Mt Hermon. The level of the Kineret is reported by the water authority to have risen 1 cm and by others to have remained the same.

Either way, at least there has not been a drop in water level and the water level is higher than it was last year. But the water authority requests that we do not be fooled. Weather reports predict that dryer weather lies in store.

Of course, being Am Yisrael, we don't rely on predictions but rather use them as a springboard for more action so keep on Davening we are not out of danger yet.

Speaking of Davening, if the rainfall and water in Israel is important to you and you are a Jewish women, please do join our international Tehillim group. We need more Jewish women uniting through Tefillah (and the additonal Torah and Tzeddakah).

Since rain and parnassa (money and income) are interconnected, let's answer a question asked a few times here. We often see people coming to this blog wanting to know the money of Israel. Israel does have its own currency which is Shekkels and Agarot. For some reason American dollars are sometimes also used.

I dont understand why but often apartment prices are quoted in US Dollars. Some business people, such as accountants, will also quote a figure in US dollars. But the truth is, that we have Shekkels and the coins are Agarot, so we really don't need to quote prices in any other currency.

Keep on Davening, learn the Hallachos of honesty in business and put them into practice. Together may we merit to be blessed with all our spiritual and physical needs for the good, a good that is revealed, manifest and visible.