ChinuchAtHome

As a continuation of "Come Home to Israel" series, here's a blog about my experiences being a new Israeli citizen.

Chesed Country

I have met nothing but niceness and chesed from everyone I've met here.  I feel and live true Chesed.  Every Jew living here earns a merit for the mitzvah of chesed.  

Just today, a taxi driver who brought me home from the mall told me that I don't have to pay for my fare this time because he didn't have enough change for my 50 shekel bill.  I still don't carry enough small change to pay for a 13 shekel cab ride.  I tried my neighbor next door who didn't have change for 50 shekels and a few strangers around the parking lot who also didn't have enough change.  The driver just said, "Don't worry, next time!".  Can you believe this?

At another time a different taxi driver reduced the cab fee when I also didn't have enough change.  

For the past three weeks that we've been here, I have not had the opportunity to make Shabbos at home yet.  We've been invited out every single Shabbat.  We are blessed with extremely nice neighbors and strangers who became our new friends.

Culture Shock

As an American, I have to get used to a non-existing Sunday.  Sunday is a regular working day in Israel, which it should be, as stated in the Torah, "Six days shall you work, and the seventh day will be a Shabbos to you".   Some folks have Friday off to prepare for Shabbat.  Some schools have a 1/2 day of schooling.  Shabbat is the complete day of rest.  There is no day to play in Israel, unless one plays hookie.

The operating hours of government offices and commercial shops are an eye-opener.  Those who are used to the Mediterranean hours will not be surprised.  Americans who are used to a 9-5 working day will be taken aback.  Not all stores and offices abide by the same operating hours, so it can get frustrating to have to remember the variant hours for different venues.

Good things come in Small Packages

Whereas I have been used to 1-gallon sized milk back in the USA, I have the merit to purchase little 1-liter packages of milk here in Israel at the lowest best prices.  I have not seen milk packaged in larger than 2-liter sizes. The price of milk is regulated in Israel, so one should be able to buy milk anywhere in Israel without being concerned of being ripped off.    

If you've ever shopped regularly at a wholesale club like BJ's of Sam's Club in America, you will soon get used to the idea of bagging your own groceries.  You will learn to appreciate the baggers at your grocery stores in the old country at how well they pack your groceries each time.

I find that my grocery bill is much lower here than in the States.  Baruch Hashem.   Meat used to fall under a different budget.  But now, I can buy meat as well as the regular groceries under $150/week.  In America, my grocery bill is at least $200/week that does not include meat. 

To be continued ....

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