kibbutz

learning about milking the animals

There are many kibbutz in Israel.  It is a community that lives together and shares all things in common.  Sort of a form of socialism.  No one owns personal property and all share in the work. 

We had a fun stop one evening at one where we learned more about life in the first century.  We donned the traditional clothing and milked the goat.  We learned how to make goat cheese, you get a little a bit of milk in a cup, get a fig leaf and break open the stem and then stir the milk with the stem.  The sap curdles the milk and viola you have cheese.  It was warm and kind of strange to the taste but a great source of protein if you were a herder spending time out in the field.

blowing the shofar

I got milk!

One thing that so impressed me was how the Jews were devoted to their personal religious practises.  Our host had to rush off at the end of our visit to get to synagogue on time.  

On the plane ride both to Tel Aviv and back there were many Jews on the plane.  Some ultra orthodox, wearing black and white and ready for the bridegroom to return and to enter into the feast at a moments notice, some just looking regular and every flavor in between. Anyway from time to time they would get up and wash and prepare and then pray.  Some of the prayers lasted a long time.  No matter where they are, or who is around, the stop and pray. I don't want to stop and pray in the middle of the aisle of an airplane but I do want to remember to stop and kneel privately and pray earnestly with the same devotion.  It was a good example to me.

selfie