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April 07, 2007

The flowers appear

Spring has arrived in Jerusalem. Yes, there are the trees that burst into vivid bloom. Yes, there is the greenery that appeared like an overnight miracle on the previously dry and desert-like Jerusalem Hills. And, ok, I suppose the birds returning to twirp and sing and the flowers appearing on the land have their charms. But, in Jerusalem, spring really arrives with Passover.

For weeks before the holiday, which lasts seven days, Jewish families scrub their homes and begin to prepare their houses for a week without bread products. Jewish families do this in the U.S. too, of course. In Jerusalem, however, it’s a citywide spring-cleaning of stores and restaurants, streets and sidewalks.

All of this leads up to the Seder on the first night of the holiday, followed by a week in which schools and some businesses close and the roads fill with cars heading towards rest and recreation. Jerusalem emptied out this week, contributing strongly to the feeling that the city has been transformed somehow.

Most of us are happy and relieved when spring arrives, especially those of us who live in cooler climes. Spring gives us hope of warmer weather and longer, sunnier days. But, how often do we make a real ceremony of it? How often do we actually prepare ourselves? Passover commemorates the ancient Jews’ freedom from slavery, it assumes a hope for freedom for all people, it is a joyous celebration of spring and new beginnings.

The almond tree is the first to bloom. The pink flowers first started appearing in February.

As the rainy season comes to a close, artists emerge on the streets.

A view of the newly lush and green Jerusalem Hills in the distance.

Posted by Ilene Weismehl  at 3:59 AM | Permalink

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