Universal Liberation or Universal Cleaning?

Passover is rapidly approaching. Next Monday, across the world Jews of all denominations and traditions will sit down to festive seder meals. In only one country, however, is Passover cleaning a universal activity. Yes, there are plenty of secular Israelis who do not take their toothbrushes to the grout between their kitchen tiles. Cleaning products are flying out of the supermarkets. New sets of dishes are available on street corners, and huge vats for kashering cookware and flatware are not difficult to locate. The smell of strong cleaning chemicals is unmistakable. In some cases, soap suds run out of open kitchen doors and into the street.

So just as we all celebrate liberation during Pesach, Israel first celebrates a universally unique brand of cleaning.

(More Than) A Week Later

Over a week ago, Jerusalem was struck with the blight of terrorism once again. I am not going to spend time or words rehashing the events, as they are no doubt well known by now. However, in the nine days since the most recent act of terror perpetrated against Israel, we have continued to live our lives.

On the evening following the attack, buses were crowded, and lines to the most popular restaurants were out the door. Vigilance is significantly higher, but life has gone on as normal. Last Friday, huge swathes of the city were shut down because of the first ever Jerusalem Marathon. Teens mobbed Ben Yehuda street last Saturday night, enjoying the evening with friends. As the weather warms, cafes are seating customers outdoors. All this week, the first annual Taste of the Old City (above) was held. Food, music, live music, and happiness was abound. Security was tight, and very visible, but people moved about undeterred.

Israel has weathered last week's attack. Over the past week, I can't help but say with relative confidence that terrorism will not solve any of the region's problems, nor will it ultimately win.