Like clockwork

Every Friday, like clockwork, the blessing of Shabbat. Work ceases, devices are turned off, and we have a real day of rest.  In Minnetonka, I celebrated Shabbat with rituals, both religious and social; but there was no sea change. Life went on, uninterrupted.

In Jerusalem, everything changes. Work stops. Offices close. Stores are shuttered and roads are empty.  Even here, at Bayit Hatsfera, things have quieted down. No ulpan today - and it's a different ulpan this week.

I switched from Ulpan Morsasha to Beit Ha'am, the biggest, oldest Ulpan in Jerusalem. Word on the street was that Beit Ha'am was too academic. On the contrary, I am finding it livelier, more engaging and practical than Morasha. My classmates, all new olim, are from Colombia, Brazil, Argentina, Ecuador, Ethiopia, India, Ukraine, France, Kyrgystan, Russia, Belgium, France, England, and South Africa.  Jews from Colombia, Brazil, Argentina, Ecuador, Ethiopia, India, Ukraine, France, Kyrgystan, Russia, Belgium, France, England, and South Africa.

Mind-blowing.

Ulpan is four hours a day, five days a week, and there is no getting around it -- it is a haul. Yes, learning is fun, but there is a ton of new information coming at you for four hours each day.  Just sitting on your behind for four hours is a haul.

In addition to which, I've continued my olah hadasha bureaucratic tasks. So many hoops to jump through, so many tasks to complete. So, yes, I was glad today was Friday, erev (the eve of) Shabbat.

House, clean. Dishes, washed. Flowers, on the table. To one and all, near and far, Shabbat Shalom.