Mea Shearim

On Friday night, Shabbat, I went through Mea Shearim with Aubrey, Stephanie, Rachel, Trisha, Mason, Russell, and Brad. Mea Shearim is one of the oldest neighbors in West Jerusalem where ultra orthodox Jews live. It was fascinating to walk through because those who live there follow strict interpretations of Jewish tradition rule and people dress in a manner common to Jewish ghettos of 18th and 19th century Europe. Women wear long-sleeved shirts and skirts and those who are married usually have shaved heads covered by wigs (sheitels) or scarves. The men wear long black coats and fedoras or round, fur-covered shtreimels. Some have long white stockings and knicker-like pants, and most have tzitzit hanging below their shirts. Young boys often have very long hair (their first haircuts usually are not until they're three) and older ones long sidecurls (peyis).

We dressed in very dark, modest clothes and walked through in just groups of 4. It was so interesting. I wish I could have taken pictures, but on Shabbat they don't use any forms of electricity. We put away our cell phones and taking pictures would have been extrememly offensive. If cars drive through on Shabbat they risk having stones thrown at them.

There were tons and tons of kids everywhere! Little toddlers and babies were playing in the streets. I guess because cars don't drive through on Shabbat its safe. We walked past several small synagogues where the men were praying inside, but most of the women seemed to be outside on the streets with the children.

Many of the Jews in Mea Shearim speak Yiddish- a combination of Hebrew and German. They don't speak Hebrew because they feel it is a sacred language and should be used only in prayers and while reading the Torah, not in everyday conversation.

I loved walking around. It felt like I'd gone back in time about 200 years!