Understanding the Significance of a Bar Mitzvah

Bar Mitzvah is an Aramaic term which means “son of commandment.” This is the coming-of-age that is referred to in Jewish traditions, in which a boy at age 13 becomes responsible for adhering to Jewish law. The beginning of life to accept religious responsibilities and can perform the important duties of Jewish life. 

 The celebration of the event is important part to the life of their sons. Although its not a religious obligation but many families celebrate the coming age of their sons.   It entails  a religious ceremony, which means a child becomes obligated to the ritual resposibilities of Jewish life. At this celebration he becoming a bar mitzvah. 

Historically, the religious ceremony of bar mitzvah involved the boy's first "aliya" which is the recitation of Torah reading blessings. This is done on the first Torah service following the boy's 13th birthday. Recently, the celebration has become more elaborate and involves more participation from the boy, such as reading all or some of the prayers during weekly Torah services, giving a speech about the Torah reading, and learning the tradtional chant for the weekly Torah part during a weekly Shabbat or Sabbath service. During the ceremony, the family of the bar mitzvah are also often recognized during Torah services.

After the religious celebration, a party or a reception usually follows. Some celebrate this event during the boy’s 13th birthday, instead of preceding the religious ceremony. Friends and relatives are invited to the celebration. It is only recently that parties have become as elaborate as wedding receptions. This is the part of the celebration where you give your mitzvah gift. It is also during this party that the boy, for the first time, can now say the “Birkat Hamazon” or the grace after meals. That prayer cannot be said by younger boys.

Bar mitzvah is a very remarkable stage in a young boy’s life. It is during this time, that he does not only embrace the adult responsibilities of his Jewish faith and begin to follow the commandments. It is also a time to start struggling to become a living Torah himself.

5 Interesting Facts About Bhutan That Makes It A Great Travel Destination

Bhutan is the country's of breathtaking views, beautiful sceneries and landmarks, reserved place of vibrant proud culture, their simple traditional lifestyle, a Buddhist religion and interesting festival celebrations.

Bhutan is a tiny independent kingdom located just between India and China. A country's known to be called  "Land of the Thunder Dragon".This country offers a desiring and inquisitive travel experience. With Bhutan tours they will give you a few interesting things that may take you to your next destination.

1. Breathtaking Views and Mountain Sceneries

Bhutan has a breathtaking views of fertile lands and rugged mountains sceneries. You can find the most  trekking  and mountain climbing  in Northern part in Bhutan. The country's economy is most relying on agriculture and forestry which accounts to more 90% of its people livelihood.

Bhutan has always  very conscious in safeguarding its natural resources as the country's economy is mostly relying on agriculture and forestry which accounts to more 90% of its people's livelihood. That is why vast landmarks can be seen throughout the country accompanied by animal husbandry. You will also appreciated the country's geography since its terrain is dominated by valleys, rivers, forest, and mountains in which Himalayans Mountains are the most popular.

2. Simple traditional and domesticated Lifestyle

 Bhutan preserve its rich cultural heritage and simple traditional lifestyle. This place also greatly reflects of Tibetan culture as Tibet mostly has a sole and direct contact with the kingdom according to Bhutan's history. When you happen to visit local restaurant or any typical houses, you may find that they still use clay pots and pans, and wood to cook food. Internet or cable TVs are rarely circulated around the country and you might even find that homes don't have any television or telephones at all. A visit in this country will let you experience a life filled with solemnity and utmost simplicity

3. Bhutan Religion

Buddhism is the dominant religion of the whole Bhutan population.Their Buddhist faith has played and continues to play a fundamental role in the cultural, ethical and sociological development of Bhutan and it's people

With monks and nuns, their religion has made a huge help primarily in preserving Bhutan’s ancient culture and enlightening Bhutan’s people about wisdom, compassion, and loving-kindness. Its richness of the country’s religion can be seen through a few temples like Taktshang and Gangteng Monastery.

4. Festivals and Holidays Celebration

People in Bhutan may be living quietly and with simplicity but still they give importance to the blessings of their environment, the influence of their religion, their government, and so on. That is why they are also seen celebrating and mingling with other people. The Day of Offerings, Losar, Thimphu Drubchen, Thimphu Tsechu, Winter Solstice, Shabdung Kuchoey, and Lord Buddha’s Paranirvana are just some of their yearly celebrations or holidays displaying the richness of their culture.

5. Bhutan Beautiful Landmarks

Most foreign visitors are attracted to Bhutan’s rich landmarks. Some of which are the Textile Museum, Trashichho Dzong, Folk Heritage Museum, the National Memorial Chorten, the Centenary Farmer’s Market, the “Tiger’s Den”, Chele La Pass, Gangteng Monastery, and the Himalaya Mountains.

It is absolutely intriguing how such a small kingdom still happens to survive even with its very simple structures and a struggling culture. Visiting Bhutan will surely a fun and learning and interesting experience.

Looking At The Sky On Friday

Beautiful sunset but weird weather for the summer , cloudy but hot and humid

Mediterranean Sea - Netanya, Israel

More Here @ Crazy Working Mom

Israel Decision on Foreign Workers Children

August 4, 2010 The Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv reported to the Department of Foreign  Affairs that the Israeli government has reached a decision to accept the recommendations made by an inter-ministerial committee on the issue of the status of 1,200 children of foreign workers who have their legal status in Israel.

The six guideline that must be met in order for the Israeli government to allow children and their parents to remain in Israel:

1.      The child must have been enrolled in the Israeli school system in the past year;

2.      Said child must be enlisted for the next school year in the first grade or higher;

3.      Said child must have lived at least five years in Israel;

4.      If born in another country, the child must have entered Israel before the age of 13;

5.      The child must be a Hebrew speaker; and,

6.      The parents of the child entered Israel using a valid visa.

According to the Israel government's announcement, it is estimated that out of the 1,200 children who have fallen in this category, 800 would most likely qualify while the remaining 400 children might not meet the criteria. The Embassy anticipates that many Filipino children would be eligible under the newly issued guidelines and has given applicants a period of 21 days to file their application at the Ministry of Interior. For its part, the Embassy is ready to facilitate the issuance of necessary legal documents to all applicants. In anticipation of the possible surge in the number of applicants during the 21 day period, the Embassy has set up task force in the Consular section specifically to address the needs of these children. 

On the 400 applicants whose applications might be denied and while the exact number of Filipino children is not yet known, the Embassy reported that the Israeli government has emphasized that these disqualified applicants will be departing Israel with dignity and be treated humanely. News report said that this ruling will cover children of migrant workers of Chinese, Thai and Filipino nationalities and among others.

Based on previous deportation cases, individuals are allowed to pack their belongings and leave quietly.  Also, the Israeli government shoulders their plane fare.  Deportees may also appeal the ruling with the courts.

The new policy affects children of foreign workers who arrived legally and then started families.  Under Israeli law, their children are not automatically granted residency status. 

 More report to read  here.

Scenic Sunday - Netanya Seashore

During my afternoon walk by the beach at Netanya, Israel

Discover Red Wine Health Benefits

Are you a  wine lover? Specifically red wine. Not yet? , then start drinking moderately, at least one glass a day and discover red wine benefits for our health.

Benefits of Red Wine


1. Good for bones- help build stronger  stronger bones.
2. Moderate consumption of red wine reduces stroke.
3. Best medication for common colds and respiratory ailments.
4. Resveratrol a substance presenting red wine helps to protect against Alzheimer's by preventing beta-amyloid protein which creates the plaque found in Alzheimer sufferer's brain.
5. Red wine slow down the process of dimentia.
6. Red wine kills the ulcer causing bacteria.
7. Prevents coronary heart disease.

Planning For A Short Weekend Holiday

I don't want to miss the beauty in Israel before I'm going home. So,  I plan for a short weekend trip somewhere in one of National Park in Israel. Where I can enjoy spa,massaging,  kayaking, or can have a little adventure.

I have two choices, eventually one is in  Kfar Blum - located at Upper Galilee where you can experience the magical river adventure, walk, climb and squeeze a high rope adventure and can tour the Galilee through bike cycling. 

Kayaking Adventure

Top-Rope Adventure

Cycling Fun

 The second , is at Hamat Gader - located near the Sea of Galilee in Israel. Here you can have a wide range of therapies and massages to sooth and relax your body and mind. You can have bathing at the hot springs and you can have different selection of attractions in Hamat Gader Park. From alligator park, the parrot show, mini wildlife reserve and petting zoo.

Thermomineral Water Pool

 Spa Village Hotel

 The Alligator

 The Parrots

Massage

                                                                

Dead Sea - The Lowest Point On The Earth Surface

The Dead Sea is called the  Salt Lake  .The most saline lakes in the world. The surface of the Dead Sea is over 1,300 feet below sea level. The very bottom of the sea is the deepest part , is over 2,300 feet below sea level. The Dead Sea is completely landlocked ang gets saltier when increasing depth. The surface fed by the River Jordan is the least saline. Down to 130 feet ( 40 meters), the seawater comprises about 300 grams of salt per kilogram of sea water. Salt precipitates out and piles up on the bottom of the sea

Taken this file of salt during my holiday in the Dead Sea

Grand Tulip Hotel, we stayed in

There are no fish or any kind of swimming creatures living in or near the Dead Sea water. What you can see on the shores of the Sea is white, crystals of salt covering everything. No ordinary salt, either. The salt in the Dead Sea are mineral salts, just like you find in the oceans of the world. The water in the Dead Sea is deadly to most living things.

It's me floating

Dead Sea is deadly to most living things but not for us humans. It is remarkably adaptable to human. We can swim, eventually floating. You cannot make breast stroke or back stroke because salt water is bad for the eyes. Mostly people hang-out, have a chat while enjoying floating. That what so cool about the Dead Sea. Because of the extremely high concentration of dissolved mineral salts in the water, its density is way more than that of plain fresh water. I really just floating. ^_^