Friday, 19 February 2016

I slept well last night but still got up quite late. Before breakfast, I walked up to the bakery to buy challah. While I was up that way, I also bought a 6-pack of PepsiMax at the market next door.

I taught only 3 units of Berlitz lessons today: 9:00-9:45 and 10:00-11:30.

After my lessons, I did the now-traditional house cleaning and ate 2 cheese-and-tomato sandwiches for lunch at home.

In the late afternoon, I walked up to the gym and worked out briefly, then continued strolling around the Mitzpe Yam neighborhood, stopping 2 or 3 times just to enjoy the lovely day.

In the evening, as the light was about to fade from our beautiful valley, I lit candles, drank a little sweet red wine, and ate some challah to welcome Shabbat.

Bassia & David had invited me to join them with the Latin American community, so I walked down there this evening. Even though I couldn't understand most of the Spanish, I still enjoyed the evening.

I walked a total of 7.7 kilometers today.

At the end of this week, during which much of the world celebrated love, I leave you with this blessing, which comes right before the Shma in the evening prayers:

אהבת עולם בית ישראל עמך אהבת

תורה ומצות, חקים ומשפטים אותנו למדת

על-כן, יי אלהינו, בשכבנו ובקומנו נשיח בחקיך

ונשמח בדברי תורתך ובמצותיך לעולם ועד

כי הם חיינו וארך ימינו, ובהם נהגה יומם ולילה

ואהבתך אל-תסיר ממנו לעולמים

ברוך אתה, יי, אוהב עמו ישראל

With an eternal love have You loved the House of Israel, Your people.

Teachings and commandments, laws and judgments, have You taught us.

So, Eternal One, our God, when we lie down and when we rise up we will discuss Your laws,

And be happy in the words of Your teachings and in Your commandments forever,

For they are our lives, and the length of our days, and on them will we meditate day and night.

Never withdraw Your love from us.

Blessed are You, Eternal One, Lover of Your people, Israel.