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A Blue-Chrome Sky | An Israeli Poem

A Blue-Chrome Sky | An Israeli Poem - 27 December, 2025  A blue-chrome sky The rain, or rather the on-and-off deluge,  has polished the skies to a bright chrome.  Large clouds strive to hide our solid sun  but the light pace like a hidden metronome Flood-filled grays tried its best to reign But the blue would often glow through Or at least sent a few bright rays Turning the storm clouds a lighter hue Dark and charcoal and ash-grey colours With loud noise and scary-looking shadows Eventually fracture over our ancient hilltops In Israel the melody of light never stops.  Flood-filled grays tried its best to reign  But the blue would often glow through  Or at least sent a few bright rays  Turning the storm clouds a lighter hue  In Israel the melody of light never stops Zichron Yaakov, 27 December, 2025
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What is the connection between pomegranates and the Jewish New Year?




Another year and another Jewish New Year, or rather Rosh haShana (the head of the year).
And again we see pomegranates ALL over the place! I mean like...EveryWhere!
  • There are pomegranates on the greeting cards we send each other for Rosh haShana
  • There are heaps of pomegranates in the supermarkets
  • There are pomegranate recipes in every single newspaper and magazine
  • There are pomegranates, real and decorative ones, on the table during the Rosh haShana meals. As a matter of fact, pomegranate seeds are one of food stuffs that have a special blessing.
  • The juice guys on the street corners are selling more pomegranate juice than ever
  • The are even pomegranates growing like crazy all over Israel. They are practically 'dripping' from their trees.

So what is the story with all these pomegranates all over the place?
Well, the story is two-fold:
1. Jews eat pomegranates during Rosh haShana to a sign that people's good deeds should be as plentiful as the  seeds of a pomegranate.
 
There are 613 good deeds that Jews should do and legend has it that this is the exact number of pomegranate seeds found in a pomegranate. 

And no, I have not counted all the seeds in one pomegranate.But I would like hear from you if you have! I am really curious to know if this is really true :)

Trees are filled with pomegranates during Rosh Hashana in Israel.
2. Pomegranates are now in season in Israel. And it is pretty obvious that the fruit that are in season will be in the supermarkets and growing in the trees and will be eaten with relish and all that.

But let's put point 1 and point 2 together and think a bit about it.... The pomegranates are in season in Israel at the exact time period when Rosh haShana is celebrated and the Jewish people has a special prayer for them.

There are many such connections between Judaism and the land of Israel, but I particularly like this one. Maybe it is because the pomegranate seeds are so beautiful and jewel-like or because they grow so plentiful on their trees. 

But it is probably because they are sweet and healthy and and a beautiful symbol for the hope of a wonderful Rosh haShana.

Happy 5774 everyone!





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