Kerala Floods

During the second week of August, 2018 , our usually harmless monsoon turned non-stop, raining continuously for nearly a week resulting in disastrous flood and destruction which is unprecedented in our recent history. 

At our most dangerous moments, the whole of Kerala stayed together and dealt with the danger bravely, helping each other like brothers. A quality which has helped us live in this part of the world for centuries survive all sorts of nature's fury and colonial invasions. 

Thank you everyone  for consoling and comforting us during our worst hours. We appreciate your concern and care, may g-d bless you all for your good hearts. 

Wise Men

Once in a while we are blessed with the opportunity to meet some exemplary men from the House of Jacob, Rabbi Mason from United States was one among them. Rabbi your thoughts and deeds continue to inspire us. Rabbi Mason is the one in blue T-shirt in the rear line with the white beard.
Thank you Rabbi and team for visiting Kochi, Kerala. 

Fresh Coat of paint..

It was a rainy evening.  I had to carry an umbrella to go to the Nehemia Mootha's tomb. I didn't know there would be a surprise waiting for me there. It took me a while to realise that someone has given the tomb a fresh coat of light green paint. I thought it was the summer rain. The neighbour told me someone has sent workers to do the painting, she didn't know who sent them. 

Whoever they are, it is very thoughtful of them. "May Adonai bless them abundantly". The tomb needed it very much. 

On my way out from Chakka Maadam, I stopped at the small unassuming tea shop of our young Ikka who sells the best of Ifftaar delights - Samosas, rolls, chilli Vadas, cutlet etc. The delicious vegetable cutlet simply melted in my mouth. A delightful treat. 

At the synagogue, the Sabbath lights were on, the street was empty. It was the first time, I saw the synagogue street so empty this season. The evening rain, the off season and the Nipha virus had taken the tourist crowd off the streets. 

An young group of local enthusiasts strolled in the rain, after asking few questions they left. But the highlight of my evening was the young and eager security officer who kept asking me genuine doubts from history and tradition. I enjoyed telling him what I know. His curiosity was very encouraging for me as its been a while since I did a Jewish tour. Offseason. 

Shavout

Shavout falls on the 6th of the month of Sivan of the Jewish calendar after 7 weeks from the day of Pesah. This year it was on May 20th & 21st. Shavout is the festival of the receipt of the commandments from G-d at Mt. Sinai by Moses more than 3300 years ago. It is also one of the three festivals where everyone have to make a compulsory pilgrimage to the temple at Jerusalem no matter where and how far they lived. Since the day coincides with the harvest of the wheat, people make offerings of the first fruits to the temple. The charismatic and loyal David, the King of Israel and father of King Solomon died on this day in 837 BC. 

Since 72 AD after the destruction of the temple at Jerusalem, the pilgrimage is not possible, so most of the prayers are offered at the local synagogue. On this day, women and children will light lamps and candles at home and men will spend the night awake at the Synagogue reading Torah. They read the book of Ruth, the Moabite, from Bible who is the grand mother of King David. 

The tradition is to eat dairy products on the festival day as it is believed on the blessed day of receiving the commandments from Moses, after they received it, the people did not had the time to cook meat which needs longer time for its preparation so they settled for some thing which was quick and easy like the dairy food. 

Happy Shavout, my dear friends.

"May the commandments of our God sit under your tongue like Milk and Honey" (Song of Songs 4:11) and its wisdom and peace fill your being and make you an inspiration & joy to all around you.

Hag Shavout Samech!

Sabbath

The Shabbath lamps were not lit when I reached the Synagogue in the evening today. As the tourist season was almost over there were only very few international and domestic tourists in Mattancherry. Some Architecture students from  New Bombay were measuring up the Jew street much to the amusement of the very bored Kashmiri shop keepers whose business also had gone down with the drop in tourists at Mattancherry.

On the way to Chakka Maadam where the Jewish elder Nehemia Mootha's tomb is, I bought two candles from the Ikka's shop who said the summer heat has become unbearable after the Vishu festival. Luckily we are getting some good rain in the last few evenings which is a blessing in these hot summer weeks. 

When I got back to the Synagogue again, it was getting darker and cool wind has started blowing signalling it could rain anytime. A very devout and eager Christian family came by and they asked me about the history of the Synagogue. I was very impressed with their eagerness and enthusiasm and they seemed to know their scriptures very well. I wish and pray to G-d that the illness one of the family members was bothered with be cured soon. 

As soon as that family bid bye it started raining hard. A French couple, who came with the rain took shelter with the few of us who were already there, under the tiled roofs of the line houses by the street. Just when the rain stopped, I walked back home feeling grateful to G-d for one more Sabbath and the opportunity to be around our famous Mattancherry Jew Town on the day. 

For Kerala Jewish Tour, B. Thomas.

Even though I am not Jewish, I like being around the Synagogue on the Sabbath for spiritual reasons and to be of any help to the tourists who come that way when the Synagogue is closed for the non-Jewish visitors.