On the other hand
Last week we visited our youngest son in Kiryat Tivon, which is 15 km southeast of Haifa.
Wishing to avoid the stress of driving there, we decided to take the fast train from Jerusalem to Tel Aviv, change there to the train for Haifa and then another change for a short ride to the station near Tivon. Although this sounds rather complicated, in actual fact it could not have been easier. The connecting trains arrived right on time, within 10 minutes at the same platform we had arrived. We gazed out at the traffic jams on the roads as we sped along in comfort and stress-free.
It is obvious that if there is an efficient, speedy and reliable transport system, then commuters will use it in increasing numbers. This is exactly what is happening. The fast train from Jerusalem to Herzliya via Tel Aviv was full of high-tech workers busy on their laptops. Other lines were equally well patronised, and when one realises the convenience and speed, there is no question as to the advantages.
For us “golden agers”, the whole trip is free because every Israeli over the age of 75 now gets free travel on buses, trains and the light rail. Preferring the trains over the cost of petrol if we had travelled by car is a no brainer.
Two “only in Israel” events made our journey memorable.
A piano for all
At the Yitzhak Navon Jerusalem train station, there is a piano situated outside the main entrance, at which any member of the public may sit down and play for a few minutes or longer. Likewise, in one of the concourses underground, where commuters can sit while waiting to depart, there is another piano available for any person to use. We have seen IDF soldiers, students and others sitting at the piano and playing everything from classical to modern tunes. While we were sitting listening to a young man playing, a cleaner sweeping the floor came up to us and explained that we could hear more “golden oldie” tunes if we listened in to a particular radio station.
Where else in the world would two pianos (one outside) be available for the public to use? Moreover, where else would these expensive instruments be safe from vandalism? In addition, where else but Israel would a cleaner engage us in conversation by advising which was the best radio station (pun intended) to tune to for tunes from our past?
The second event worth commenting on was the experience we had on our return trip from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem in the early evening. We were sitting in the first carriage of the train, and as it pulled out of Ben Gurion airport station on the fast ride to the capital, the carriage filled up with a minyan for Ma’ariv (evening prayers). Israelis of every background, young and old, Sephardi and Ashkenazi, modern Orthodox and Charedi, all standing shoulder to shoulder facing the front of the train which was headed to Jerusalem.
The noteworthy aspect from my point of view was that contrary to the negative news usually associated with Israel, there was perfect harmony from all concerned. Secular individuals sitting in the midst of this prayer gathering continued to look at their smartphones, unfazed by those praying. Even more noteworthy was the fact that men and women were present with no mechitza and nobody was offended. Is this a sign of the approaching messianic age?
It certainly made our trip a memorable one.
WHAT A DIFFERENCE 75 YEARS CAN MAKE
The transition of Israel from an economic basket case to a world-beating innovative nation is an interesting story.
Here is a somewhat light-hearted yet easy-to-understand summary of how this occurred.
AMAZING PROOF
Once again, evidence has been uncovered, this time right before Chanukah, that the Maccabean revolt to regain our sovereignty actually occurred.
Every time such proof is discovered, it validates our ancient roots in this land and disproves the lies circulated by our modern-day deniers that we are interlopers to the region.
Watch this video which explains in greater detail exact what has been discovered.
A GREAT MIRACLE OCCURRED HERE
The focal point of Chanukah is the lighting of the Menorah, which reminds us of the miracle of the oil, which lasted eight days.
This took place in the rededicated Temple in Jerusalem, which had been previously defiled and desecrated by the Greek Syrian pagans.
Prior to the advent of Chanukah, a replica of the Menorah is placed at the Western Wall. If things were normal, Jews would be celebrating at the very spot on the Temple Mount where the Temple once stood.
Hopefully the time will soon come when we can celebrate this joyous Festival at the very place where it all originally occurred rather than at the retaining wall which King Herod built as part of his enlargement of the Temple compound.
