More on the Empty Tomb

Crusader slab with a cross
and original stone beneath

More amazing photos are surfacing on the Tomb of Christ. National Geographic had done an article and I believe they'll soon come up with a documentary film as well.  Anyway the most recent published photos show the Crusader marble slab, broken but with a cross incised; and beneath it lime stone rock that is part of the ground ...meaning it is part of the mountain rock, a living rock and hence not added or moved. This is a clear sign that it is original. But more than that, inside the marble walls of the present day Tomb, it was found that this rock rose up to 6 feet in some parts. That is amazing! We have always thought that the cave was totally demolished by Caliph Hakim in 1009 and nothing of it existed except the rock floor. Now the archeological team has proven that it exist up to quite high in height and the "bed" is practically intact .... everything covered over by Crusader and modern (15th century) marble. Utterly amazing. You must read the article on National Geographic.  http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2016/10/jesus-christ-tomb-burial-church-holy-sepulchre/

The culprits of last week's desecration of Mt. Tabor Basilica have not been caught. And I doubt they ever will be. Such is the justice system here.

We just got news that the 2 orthodox bishops kidnapped by ISIS in Aleppo 2 years ago are still alive. But because of the Syrian army push to chase out ISIS from Aleppo, these bishops might be killed in the process. Pray for them. http://www.pravmir.com/bishops-abducted-syria-2013-alive-currently-raqqa/

We also have news that ISIS in the Sinai peninsular would sooner or later enter the heartlands of Israel. Not surprising. But I'll say that when they do, they'll regret the day they did. The Israeli army and secret service is world re known for its efficiency and ruthlessness. ISIS don't stand a chance here. And above all the local arabs don't want them around ... they'll be the first to suffer if ISIS takes over. http://www.timesofisrael.com/elite-border-cops-train-for-islamic-state-attack-inside-israel/

Tomorrow is All Saints Day ... day of obligation. Don't forget to go to Church ... and pray for the christians in Syria and Iraq who are martyrs of their faith. They are the living saints.

Heroes in Aleppo

Jerusalem Old City still asleep

Sunday morning ... beautiful sunshine and most of Israel was still enjoying an extra hour of sleep. Daylight saving ended last night. Made no difference to me. I was up at 4am as usual with an asthma attack. Not very severe. Buddy heard me wheezing and flew down from his perch (the curtain rail 12 feet high) to sit on my shoulder. He imitates me whenever I sneeze or cough. And he's learned to say "yai yai" ("bad boy"). He's a good companion whenever I'm sick. He keeps me company by refusing to leave my shoulder .... no matter how much you shoo him away.

And I woke up to a wonderful article and video posted on Aleteia ("Truth") catholic network. It's about Fr. Ibrahim Alsabagh, our friar of the Holyland Custody working in Aleppo. Alone in the wartorn city, he gathered the youths to help support the remaining christian community amid the ruins. Youths who before the war, never showed up in church or disdained religion, now risk their lives 24/7 by delivering water and food to home-bound christians and serving the refugees inside our church and school premises. All for Christ. Amazing story that you should share with others. And please know that most of your kind offerings and donations go to help Fr. Ibrahim and other friars and nuns still serving in Syria. Continue your generous help please ... your fellow christians in Syria need to rebuild their lives and ONLY YOU CAN HELP.  http://aleteia.org/2016/10/29/miracles-and-not-just-bombs-and-missiles-are-raining-down-in-syria/?ru=04231f67c1e808c31a7d4426a424e98a

Sunrise today

Well last week is over. It was one of the most hectic weeks I ever had. Last evening when my turn of service was over, I went out for a burger dinner with Matthias (it was also his turn in his community). Nice simple celebration to acknowledge that we did good, serving the community. But thinking of Aleppo and the friars there, their service has little celebration. And their service is so much greater. I wonder if I could go join the friars there.

Sabbat

Clear morning sky after the rain

It's the Sabbath again. The weather has cooled a lot after the rain 2 days back. A lot less dust in the air. And the mornings are very fresh and crispy. Night temp goes down to 13 degrees. Chilly. Tonight we switch from daylight saving to solar time. Clock turns back one hour.

The last 2 days have been hectic with classes; running from one school to another 1 km apart. I feel the exhaustion. In fact during the 2nd class I couldn't remember what I was teaching. Brain dead. Then there were the groups to meet in the evenings ... so overall I work 15 hours a day. Luckily my fainting spells have reduced a lot. And I try to snack on biscuits to keep the energy and sugar level up. And work in the libraries continue in between classes. I'm still thinking of a vacation .... they key word is "thinking".

Work in the Empty Tomb has been completed. It has been reclosed again. Now we're waiting for news of the latest finds. It's so big time suspense!!

Yesterday at a Knesset meeting (parliament), one Israeli member remarked that Israeli University places are being "grabbed" by "illiterate arabs". Now that was nasty ... in fact down right racist. But he'll get away with it. Any other university that would dare use such language on a jewish student would be accused of anti-semitism and be kicked out. http://www.timesofisrael.com/illiterate-arabs-grabbing-israeli-university-slots-mk-claims/

There were several incidents of attempted stabbings but they took place far from Jerusalem ... at the borders of Palestine and Israel. So far things have cooled down a lot. We don't expect problems in winter. It's usually too cold and wet for terrorism.

More on the Holy Sepulchre

Pulling back the present
marble slab to expose the
Crusader period slab

More excitement over the opening of the Tomb of Christ. The archeological team had only 60 hours to do it's investigation so they worked over 2 nights non-stop. What they found beneath the present marble slab was another marble slab dating to the Crusader period some 1000 years back. Pulling off this 2nd slab revealed the rock which was part of the cave tomb.

Patriarchs and religious leaders were waiting eagerly outside the Tomb to see what was inside. The original stone was probably last seen in 1550, or at least the Crusader marble slab was seen. No written records exist to say the original cave Tomb remained because the main belief was that muslim Caliph Hakim destroyed the entire Tomb in 1009. Now it seems that this was not all true. Parts of the Tomb remains ... and now it appears this included the stone bench which Christ's Body was laid. It was covered twice over by marble slabs from the Crusader and modern periods. This discovery is electric. Everyone is very excited ... though they will probably never see it. Plans are to cover it up again to preserve it from damage. However one part of the cave wall will be exposed (in glass?) for the public to see.

The beige stone is modern
and the gray on the right is
Crusader, the brown stone
below is the original
cave rock

I am sure this will draw more pilgrims to come to the Holy Land. This is probably the greatest "discovery" in Christiandom these past 500 years.

Another piece of news hitting our headlines was yesterday's rain. Yes it did rain. Though in Jerusalem it was only for half an hour. But it was quite heavy. Down in Eilat, the seaside resort at the Red Sea, the entire city was inundated. Roads were destroyed, property under water. The whole city is now closed off to the public. Amazing how a little rain can do so much damage in the Middle East. Well for one thing the countries here are never prepared for floods because it seldom if ever happens ... we're a desert region where rain falls only in a months but hardly enough too.

Anyway we;re all waiting for more news on the Holy Sepulchre, more photographs by the archeologists .... and waiting also for more rain to fall. A time of expectancy ... and Advent of sorts.

Original Tomb of Christ exposed under layers of marble

We are still shocked by the desecration of the Eucharist on Mt. Tabor. So far there are no leads. I wonder if we will have to make reparation through penance for this desecration. The last time a desecration took place some 17 years ago I think, we had to fast and pray for forgiveness, going up to Mt. Calvary and kneeling in prayer. That time an Israeli soldier had thrown a hand grenade at the tabernacle, blowing it up with the Eucharist inside. But you never read it in the news.

But Israeli newspapers are not carrying this news about Mt. Tabor. Its more preoccupied with UNESCO's decision that Jewish and Christian heritages have not been mentioned in the document about the Dome of the Rock/Al Aqsa compound (the Temple Mount). To be fair it did not deny the existence of a Jewish Temple on that place 2000 years ago; but silence (no mention of the Temple) can also be very damning politically. In recent days, news articles on archeological finds proving the existence of the Temple have been headlined .... and they are drawing christians to support them.

Removing the marble slab to expose
the rock where Christ's Body was laid

But christians today are more excited over other news: the original tomb of Jesus has been exposed after centuries being covered in marble slabs. With a rare agreement between the Greek Orthodox, Franciscans and Armenian Orthodox churches, repairs on the Tomb have taken place for half a year now. But yesterday the climax of this restoration was when the workers entered the actual burial room and removed the marble slab worked down by centuries of pilgrims' touch and kisses. Inside they found the original stone bench where the Body of Christ was laid out in a shroud. Patriarchs of all the Churches were present at the door of the Tomb to witness the event. It was momentous. After centuries hidden from public view, possibly since Crusader times a thousand years ago, the stone has finally been exposed again. This is the highlight of the Millennium. The Greek Orthodox Patriarch Theophilos II remarked as he stood outside the Tomb ... "This is joy ... to see Greeks, Franciscans, Armenians, Copts and Syrians, with muslim door-keepers and jewish police all together ... " Yes this is what the Tomb is all about ... not the piece of stone inside but the community gathered outside ... a peaceful group of diverse races and religions encountering in respect and tolerance.

This is the true meaning of the Empty Tomb ... of the Resurrection.

Eucharist desecrated on Mt. Tabor

Consecrated Hosts thrown on the floor

The dreadful crime was committed yesterday on the Mt. of Transfiguration in our Basilica. The tabernacle doors was torn open, consecrated hosts thrown on the floor, ciborium's stolen, icons defaced, offering boxes robbed. It's still not known who did it ... hooligan jews who were holidaying in the park around the Basilica or arabs in the nearby villages. It was a night job.

I heard of the news when I met the Vice Custos coming out of his car in the courtyard. He was sick with the flu, but he looked very worried about something else. He told me about the robbery and desecration. It was horrible.

Tabernacle broken
and Eucharist on
the floor

Will the Israeli Police do something about it? Will anyone be arrested? This news was only reported in one newspaper whereas graffiti on a Mexico synagogue was widely reported.

It's not simply a robbery because icons and mosaics were defaced and had graffiti. It was a hate crime, an anti-christian crime ... plus a robbery in which the gold ciborium's and chalices were also stolen. Yes this is part and parcel of the persecution of the Church in the Middle East.

Old City gypsies

It's Simchat Torah today. Very quiet in the streets as no work is allowed on this last day of Sukkoth. Tomorrow life will return to normal. There's been a lull in violence ... probably because Israel closed the borders to Palestine during Simchat Torah. Let's see what the next few days bring.

Autumn fruit

I went to the Pharmacy to buy more medicine for my asthma. The cool weather is making everyone sick and my asthma has increased in frequency. But while many have the flu, cough and sore-throats, I'm luckily spared from all that as I was inoculated earlier last month. Doc insisted that with every start of the flu season, I must get my vaccinations because I'm generally less resistant to bugs. And then there is the daily maintenance ... which is taking a lot of vitamin C. Autumn is the time for the citrus fruit harvest so natural vitamin C is everywhere. I drink a glass of lemon juice with honey every morning. We have an apiary in the hills of Ein Kerem so our honey is all natural, no chemicals or preservatives. We're very lucky.

There's an article today about a tribe of gypsies living in the Old City. Actually right in our backyard! They're known as the Dor gypsies ... originally from India, which explains their dark complexion compared to the arab neighbours. Another tribe migrated to Europe and has become the Roma gypsies. Apparently they're shunned by the arabs for not being arabs, and ignored by the jews who never even meet them. They're a pretty enclosed group. And the funny thing is I never knew about them even though they lived just meters from us! http://www.haaretz.com/.premium-1.748717

One big news making waves .... Singapore Airlines will start direct flights to Israel in mid-2017. That will bring a lot of groups not only from Singapore but also Malaysia and Indonesia which has seen a huge rise in tourists. That is strange because of the latter are muslim States which do not recognise Israel .... officially. But it's a known fact that Indonesia has more contact with Israel than it will ever admit.

Simchat Torah

Dancing with the Torah
(pic form Ynetnews)

Tomorrow is the last day of Sukkoth. That is also the feast of Simchat Torah - the joy of the Torah. It recalls God giving the Law to the Israelites though Moses. Jews today bring out the Torah scrolls and dance with it ... even letting pagans (non-jews) carry and dance with it. That's because they believe the Torah was first offered by God to the non-jews who rejected it, so God gave it to the jews. Once a year, on Simchat Torah, non-jews are allowed to carry the scrolls to remember that it was first offered to them. In Jerusalem the jews commence celebrating today. Joyful songs and dance continued through the night here in the Old City. Every synagogue and yeshiva had some form of celebration. Food and drinks were offered freely to anyone who passed by.

In the time of Jesus, there was also the water sacrifice which the High Priest presided. In a procession, he would draw water from the Pool of Siloam about 700 m. from the Temple and poured it on the altar of the Temple, praying for rain. The rainy season should then start ... when the autumn harvest has been completed.

Well Tuesday hopefully normal life will return to its routine. Public transport and offices and shops will reopen ... as no work is allowed on the last day of Sukkoth. Military presence will also be reduced, hence less tension in the streets. Roads will be reopened as well. Unfortunately for 4 palestinians, they were arrested by Palestinian police because they went to visit some jews to celebrate Sukkoth. This is ridiculous because the police wants to perpetuate hostility with the jews. For the 4 arabs, it was a peaceful gesture welcomed by the jews. http://www.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Conflict/PA-detains-four-Palestinians-for-drinking-coffee-with-settlers-in-Efrat-succa-470691

Work continues for the rest of us. No holidays. Yesterday I was busy making photocopies, then catching up with some cataloguing of books ... and in the evening I had to teach some priests who didn't know how to sing the latin Mass. Tough job as one was totally tone deaf.

Sabbath

Jewish men pray
with the 4 species

The Sabbath has begun ... it is very quiet in the Jewish areas of the City. All the songs and dance at the Wailing Wall stopped during the night ... during these 8 days of Sukkoth it can go on till 4am. Men however continue to go back and forth from the Wailing Wall at all hours to pray. They carry the 4 species of palm, citron, willow and myrtle as part of the Sukkoth celebrations. 2000 years ago when a Hasmonean king (from the Maccabee dynasty) attempted to serve also as High Priest in the Jewish Temple during Sukkoth, disgruntled jews threw their citrons (called "etrog" which are much larger than lemons) at him. That's quite a weapon ... like throwing stones.

Ultra-orthodox jews harassed and attacked police when they arrived at a yeshiva to check a complaint of rowdy noises last Thursday. The ultra-orthodox pushed, shoved and yelled abuses, surrounding the police in a dangerous manner. The video has gone viral. When I saw the video, I thought: if it were just a couple of arabs who had harassed and surrounded the police, they would have been shot immediately. But not when they are jews, not even one was arrested. There seems to be 2 systems of justice here. http://www.jerusalemonline.com/news/in-israel/local/ultra-orthodox-crowd-attacks-police-officers-24325

Another video going viral of of the police beating up an arab suspect who resisted arrest. That was vicious ... but again, why weren't the ultra-orthodox jews in the above article  even arrested? http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4868832,00.html

I've been working till very late these few days despite my fainting spells. There's just so much to do before datelines are up. But it's always better to have work than none at all. The sisters around our area are watching out for me as they came to know about my fainting. The Spanish sisters boiled some eggs for me to eat, while the chinese sisters cooked dinner (with fried eggs). Billy and his wife at Mian Noodles boiled soup with chinese herbs. Everyone thinks I'm not eating enough and that caused my fainting spells. Well I'm feeling better now though my right foot is still swollen.

5th day of Sukkoth

Jaffa Street junction filled with people
celebrating Sukkoth

There have been minor incidents of stone throwing followed by police arrests but nothing major to warrant closures of the City Gates or Quarters. There is a heavy military presence but there were no provocations. It seems this year's Sukkoth is passing off rather peacefully.

Yesterday thousands of fundamentalist and zionist christians held their annual Sukkoth parade in downtown New City. The govt loves them because they bring in lots of money and moral support. But traditional jews view them suspiciously as proselytizers and corrupters of Judaism. In fact the rabbis decry the parade and warn jews not to join in. Nevertheless money speaks loudest. I have never seen Jerusalem so filled with "Sukkoth christians" as this year. And they revel late into the night. Shops and restaurants are very very happy. The economy is receiving a much needed boost.

Unfortunately not everyone is rejoicing this feast day. Teachers held a protest to demand their salaries. There has been a big cut in tier wages and many teachers are struggling to live daily. http://www.jerusalemonline.com/news/in-israel/local/teachers-protest-against-moe-24281

4000 arab and jewish women march
for peace (pic from HaAretz)

Thousands of women who had marched some 300 kms from the north of Israel arrived at the Prime Minister's house in Jerusalem and protested for peace. They demanded the govt to make peace with the Palestinians ... and among the marchers were survivors and victims of terror attacks, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate and many mothers who simply want to live peacefully with the arabs. Almost half the number was arab women while the other half jewish. It's very touching that survivors of terrorist attacks did not seek revenge but understanding that terrorism will end if the arabs are treated justly.  http://www.jerusalemonline.com/news/in-israel/local/thousands-attend-jerusalem-womens-peace-rally-24296  and  http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-1.748288

Let's hope that this rare peace we're experiencing this Sukkoth permeates into the political realm and everyone gets his wish .... true peace.

Priestly Blessing

Jewish priests blessing the people

Tried to rest yesterday. Didn't go to work for 2 days as the fainting spells continued. Yesterday fainted again. I give up on seeing the doctor. It's a hit-or-miss thing ... you just never know when he's at the clinic. Today I'm feeling better .... the head is a little dizzy but not to the extent of fainting. Thank God.

The weather has cooled down a lot. Nights go down to 16 degrees. And my asthma has increased in frequency. I'm dressing up with hoodies and jackets ... like everyone else. Now let's hope it'll rain as well. The drought is awful ... and we need the rain desperately. The rain would also clear the dust from the air so it might help my asthma.

Jewish man holding
the 4 species

Yesterday was also the time when the jewish priests called kohanim blessed the Israel. As many priests as could come to the Wailing Wall, had their backs facing the Wall, covered themselves under their prayer shawls called tall it, and gave the blessing of Aaron found in Numbers 6:22-27. It's a very touching an emotive experience. Thousands of people would go for this blessing ... and on the Feast of Sukkoth, thousands of non-jews as well. They are mostly zionist christians who believe they fulfill the prophet Zechariah's words that pagans will come to Jerusalem and celebrate the feast of Sukkoth (Zech 14:16-18). And there are many many protestants from Mainland China here for this feast.

During Sukkoth, jewish men carry 4 species (a palm frond, a willow branch, a myrtle brach and an error which is a type of inedible lemon). Many explanations are given as to why these 4 types of plants and fruit are used during prayer ... so there is no consensus. They wave it at the 4 points of the earth, then towards heaven and earth (up and down). You should google to find out its meaning.

Very sick

Free palm branches at road junction
for those who want to build a sukkah

Today is bad. Fainted 3 times this morning. Very disoriented ... and leaning towards the left. Matthias accompanied me to the clinic but the doctor was not in. Maybe I'll have to go to the hospital. But I can't make it alone. Will see if I'm better in the next few hours before making a decision. I guess it could be exhaustion as I was working from 3am to 8pm yesterday. But again it could be blood pressure or many other reasons. The night before my left arm was numb and the wrist and palm hurt very much. I was wondering if these are signs of a coming heart attack or stroke.

Sukkoth is in its 2nd day. There's an interesting article on the Samaritans and how they celebrate Sukkoth. http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4867134,00.html

Yesterday police arrested 10 boys who were throwing stones and Molotov cocktails at passersby down our street. Jews going to the Wailing Wall and tourists were in danger of getting hurt. So the police took swift action. There are at the moment thousands of zionist christians in town ... all are here for the feast of Sukkoth. They believe that the prophecy of Zechariah 14:16-18 is fulfilled when all the non-jews come to Jerusalem to celebrate Sukkoth, hence enabling the Messiah to come. However one of the things they must do is to destroy the Al Aqsa and Dome of the Rock mosques ... to purify the Temple Mount for the Messiah ... and this will inevitably lead to clashes with the muslims.

There's a great short video-documentary on the divided society of Israel. You should have a look to understand the complicated situation of Jerusalem. The article is at http://www.pewforum.org/2016/03/08/israels-religiously-divided-society/  and to watch the video, go to https://www.facebook.com/pewresearch/videos/10153809390006356/?pnref=story

Full moon

Full moon over Damascus Gate

The 1st day of Sukkoth seems to have passed rather quietly. No incidents. Jews carrying the 4 species (citron, willow, myrtle and palm) can be seen throughout the Old and New City. The moon has been marvelously bright and full ... and incredible sight at night. It's also quite red ... but in the photos it appears white.

I managed to take a few very nice photos (not with a professional camera so the resolution is a little low and blurry) of the moon ... one over Damascus Gate and another just as it was behind the Cross of our belfry. It was such a coincidence. Amazing. Well it was 4am when I took it ... I was up walking on the terrace because I had an attack of asthma. To clear the lungs of fluid, I must walk about ... and I have been doing that many times. It's tiring as I would have preferred to sleep but the fluids would suffocate me so the night walks are necessary.

Full moon behind
the Cross

While the bombings in Aleppo continue, we now hear that the Syrian govt will start another military campaign, this time in Mosul. No one dares to think of the casualties. This is so tragic ... and nobody seems to be doing anything to stop it.

Last night there was news that police were throwing grenades as part of a drill ... but in an arab village with inhabitants. Now that's dangerous ... and illegal. But the police say it's legal. You decide. http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/1.747700

Singapore seems to be riding high with gold medals this year. Kyla Poh won the gold medal for freestyle indoor skydiving. An amazing performance.  http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/sport/singaporean-crowned-junior-freestyle-champion-at-indoor/3209096.html?cid=fbcna

I'm looking forward to the Priestly Blessing on Wednesday morning at the Wailing Wall. It's one event I try not to miss. It's hauntingly beautiful ... to hear the ancient words chanted by jewish priests as it was done 2000 years ago. Yup, that's another amazing moment.

Sukkoth

Booths in front of restaurants

The feast of Tabernacles or Sukkoth just started as the sun set this evening. Houses and restaurants have been rushing to put up huts or booths ('tabernacles") so that families and patrons can eat in them. That's the jewish law ... all meals must be taken in these booths. Not that everyone jew will observe this ... but the alternative is there.

Sukkoth is actually an agricultural feast ... the harvest of the autumn fruit. Booths were built in the fields to protect the harvested fruit and wheat from autumn dew that could destroy it. But in the Torah this became a religious feast. In many of these booths, flowers and fruit are hung inside. Others choose to decorate it with tinsel. It's a happy feast. Grapes are harvested and new wine is made. Old wine is drunk. Sukkoth always falls on the full moon and coincides with the chinese mid-autumn festival. But since this year is a leap year in the jewish calendar, where one extra month is added, Sukkoth now falls one month after the mid-autumn festival.

Decorating inside a booth

As can be expected, military presence is high all around the country. But it's noticeable that stop-and-check procedures have lessened. That lightens the tension a lot with the arab community. Nevertheless hawkers are not allowed to sell in the plaza and staircase of Damascus Gate as this would impede the movement of soldiers.

My timetable is now getting full each week as school has started. I teach about 10 hours a week ... and this includes having to travel from 1 to 2 kms each time. It's all walking uphill though. I hope I'm strong enough because the fainting spells are very frequent. After 15 minutes of walking I need to stop and rest because I cannot breathe due to the asthma. That cuts off oxygen to my brain so I have blackouts ... which is dangerous when I'm walking in the streets. I not only could be hurt by the fall but I will very probably be robbed by passersby. That's why I prefer to go out with someone else.

The Chinese sisters want you to know that they are praying for you all everyday ... and offering a mass for your intentions once a month.

Aleppo: the world may be silent, but we will not

In an extremely extremely rare (in fact this is the only recoded time it has happened) occasion, the Sephardi Chief Rabbi of Israel met with the Palestinian muslim head of Sharia Court, and their  respective entourage, to discuss the war in Syria and made a united call for the end of religious wars. He went so far as to call the killings in Aleppo " a small Holocaust" ... anyone else who dares to make such a comparison would have been branded as belittling the Holocaust, jewish lives and anti-semitic. This call and meeting comes after thousands of Israelis gathered in several cities immediately after Yom Kippur to fast, prayer and reflect for peace in Syria. The motto: The world may be silent, but we will not.  http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-1.747467

Hats off to these fantastic people and the religious leaders. They are the only ones who have the guts to face this tragedy. Indeed the world is hiding behind silence ... and in doing so, is tacitly guilty.

Phone Food

So the Thai King is dead. I don't think many in Thailand can remember what a coronation is like ... after 70 years on the throne. It must be traumatic for the thais. The king had masterfully guided the country through war and crises ... and his humanitarian work is widely appreciated. His popularity definitely cannot be copied. Meantime south of Thailand, a new Agung "king" has been elected for Malaysia ... this time it's the Sultan of Kelantan. Apparently there's been some hesitation by the sultans of the other 8 malay states because he's a bachelor without an heir.

Phone Food meal: really good

Remember I wanted to order some delivery food but didn't have the money? Well I finally did order a meal last week just to see what it's about. It's a big serving for only 30 shekels: 3 salads, 1 soup, 1 cold drink, lots of rice and 1 big chicken drumstick. That's half the price for any western or chinese dish (not meal) in restaurants. And the food is freshly cooked. I had to wait for an hour and the food came piping hot and fresh ... it's not like some ready-made food waiting on the buffet counter. "Phone Food" as it's called is a family business run from a house. Its basically home cooking.

Feeling extremely weak, dizzy and nauseous for 2 days now. Don't know why. The shoulder is much better than before so I can't say it's the cause. Maybe it's the blood pressure or the diabetes. Or side-effects of the cortesones I'm taking for my asthma. Not likely I'll know the cause because I'm not going to the doctor's today ... Friday. There might be problems in the streets with roadblocks and checkpoints ... the police fear riots after an arab was killed in Silwan several days ago. I don't want to get locked out from my home.

In the newspapers, there's a sarcastic article about Jerusalem Municipality's funding of religious places of worship. By law every religious place of worship is entitled to this funding ... but in reality only synagogues get it. http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-1.747187

After Yom Kippur

Today newspapers are back in print (on Yom Kippur they are not allowed to work) and we've found out why there was a riot down in Bab Hutta the night before. It's been reported now that there were several riots in the surrounding villages of Silwan, Issawiya and Jebel Mukkaber;  an arab was shot dead by israeli soldiers. http://www.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Conflict/Riots-erupt-in-east-Jerusalem-on-Yom-Kippur-Silwan-man-killed-in-clash-with-police-469944

Buddy learns to count with coins

This will make the feast of Sukkoth on Monday very tense. As usual every year there will be riots and provocations from both sides of racial/religious divide. In fact morning I saw police halting 2 "hilltop youths" from among a group of such youths just inside Damascus Gate. These "hilltop youths" are very fanatically rightwing, silent, known to attack arabs, destroy arab crops and livestock, take arms and shoot, burn muslim/christian places of worship. I think these 2 guys were prohibited to enter the Old City by the Court and they breathed it, thinking they can hide behind a group of such youths protecting them. The soldiers however recognised them and stopped them.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York is hosting an exhibition of the history of Jerusalem from 1000 - 14000 AD. Some of our precious manuscripts are there on loan. In fact our illuminated manuscript is used as the poster image for the exhibition. But a jewish journalist has written an article complaining that there were many muslim and christian artifacts but not enough jewish. I ask: why must everything be politicised? Those years in exhibition were the Crusades where muslims and christians formed the majority of the population and main actors of the events. Of course they would have left a larger amount of cultural artifacts. http://www.timesofisrael.com/met-exhibition-on-medieval-jerusalem-has-lots-of-harmony-not-so-much-judaism/

As Yom Kippur ended, thousands of Israelis in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Haifa and many other cities gathered to hold demonstrations in support of the poor besieged people of Aleppo. "The rest of the world is silent. We won't" ... that was the motto. Israel has provided medical help to syrian refugees coming into the northern frontier. It's a very courageous gesture ... something which puts the rest of the world to shame. http://www.timesofisrael.com/hundreds-of-israelis-gather-to-pray-for-people-of-war-torn-syria/

Have been trying to rest this morning but phone calls come every 2 mins. I gave up. Went to work instead. Buddy has been playing a lot these few days. Having discovered he can fly, he now flies everywhere but especially on my shoulders. The moment I enter the door, he flies to me. When I want to go out, he flies again to my shoulders ... either he wants to go out with me or he doesn't want me to go out at all. In between when I'm in my room, he plays with his toys or with my things. It's light entertainment ... keeps me sane.

Yom Kippur

Jewish men returning home from
the Wailing Wall today

Last night Yom Kippur began. Crowds went to the Wailing Wall but prayers were silent and personal. Jews started their fast and will end at sunset in a few hours time. 24 hours no food. They are not allowed to wear shoes of leather or any fancy clothes ... it's a day of repentance and recollection. All shops in western Jerusalem are closed. Even petrol stations at the border in East Jerusalem were forced to close ... arab petrol stations!! I've seen taxis circling around desperately searching for a petrol station that's open for business.

Last night at about 1.30am arab youths were causing trouble in Bab Hutta neighbourhood. Wasn't sure what it was all about. But it ended soon after. Police presence however was massive in our area which surrounds the Al Aqsa mosque. Today was very calm ... no violence. Life in east Jerusalem continued as usual while the western side closed down for the jewish feast. Sukkoth (Feast of Tabernacles) is the feast to watch ... while very colourful, it usual attracts violence because some jews will try to tear down the AL aqua mosque and rebuild the jewish Temple, a requisite for the coming of the messiah who is expected to appear during Sukkoth. Last year I stayed in Jaffa to avoid the riots (which didn't take place).

My fainting spells have reduced today. Possibly because I slept a little more than usual last night. I was too ill yesterday and rested earlier, which meant a few more hours of sleep. But just after midnight my shoulder was excruciatingly painful. Kept me awake till 5am when I tried to sleep again. This morning I went to the doc for my flu vaccination which the doc insisted because I'm too weak and susceptible to illness. It's InfluVac 2016 vaccine ... so I hope it'll be effective so I won't get sick this beginning of winter. However after the shot, I've been getting pretty tired and weak ... a side-effect, and due to Yom Kippur (the fear that the police will close off the Muslim Quarter), I decided not to go to work.  Tomorrow will be better.

First day of school

Yesterday was the first day of school. New students were introduced to the library and how it functions. Then it was overseeing the new rhythm of work in both libraries. It was hectic and I still am very exhausted from it. Have been having fainting spells these few days .... still not sure if it's the shoulder problem or fatigue. I had to squat down twice on my way home because I felt I was going to faint ... and fainting on the main road next to the tramway is not safe ... primarily because you'll get robbed before any medical help arrives.

High security in front
of Ecce Homo convent

So it's not just arabs who riot. I just read the online news that last Sabbath, ultra-orthodox jews also rioted in their neighborhood. Police had arrested one of their number because he did not report for drafting into compulsory military service. The ultra-orthodox do not recognize the State of Israel and refuse to do military service even though the law requires it. So far they have avoided prosecution all these 50 years ... but now the govt has stepped in to enforce the law. Some have joined the army but the ultra-orthodox community consider them traitors. Last Sabbath a busload of ultra-orthodox soldiers were forced to get off a bus and walk to their station as ultra-orthodox jews rioted against them.  http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4865311,00.html

Also read yesterday that the Pope is creating Archbishop Emeritus of Kuala Lumpur, Msgr. Soter Fernandez a cardinal. Wow. That's a first in our region. However it's an honorary cardinalate since the archbishop is well over the voting age limit. Note that only he and the Bangladeshi bishop have been made cardinals in Asia ... both from muslim countries. That's a statement.

News just coming in: Israeli secret service thwarts bombing suicide plans by Hamas. Apparent Hamas has a whole series of plans to terrorise Israel. http://www.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Conflict/Israel-thwarts-Hamas-plan-to-detonate-suicide-bomb-on-bus-in-Jerusalem-469919

Tonight Yom Kippur begins. The Palestinian Territories have been closed off since last night. So has the Muslim Quarter of the Old City. Massive police presence. I don't want to be locked out from home so I think I'll go home early from work.

Violent Sunday

Bomb scare at Jaffa Street

Yesterday was a morning of violence. I mentioned yesterday about the shooting in Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood. It turned out that the killer was supposed to go to jail for a previous crime at 10am that morning but instead went on a shooting spree. 2 dead and 6 injured. Police fear it might embolden more copycat attacks but have decided not to make increase security so as not to rise tensions. Shopkeepers in our street say he's often seen walking along our street. No one suspected he would do such a thing. I'll have to watch my back as I do have jewish friends who work as security around my area. Some arabs living in the neighbourhood have called me traitor and jewish dog. They would have no qualms in killing me if they have the opportunity.

Meantime while coming home from work (yes I work on Sundays too ... 7 days a week), I found Jaffa Street blocked off just in front of Mandarin Restaurant. A suspicious package was left next to the tram tracks and the bomb squad came to check it out. It was not a bomb. But it created quite a drama ... especially just an hour after the Sheikh Jarrah shooting.

Dumpster on fire
as riot police
stand by

Then nearer home, I wanted to buy some stationary for the library but found the whole of East Jerusalem outside the Old City closed off. Riot police were everywhere. Smoke filled street after street. All shops were closed. Dumpsters were set on fire at every street corner. Apparently there was a riot in that area (along Salahaddin Street and in the Zahara neighbourhood) and the police stepped in quickly to disperse the trouble-makers. I couldn't get what I wanted. But I did get some good photos. No idea why there was a riot.

But tourists will never see this because it took place in East Jerusalem where tourists never go. So don't worry. It's safe to come.

But yesterday was also a consolation. Sr. Munira from Damascus called me to ask if I was alright, if my health was holding up. It was very nice of her. Despite the war and difficulties in Syria, she still remembered me. Anyway she did ask for prayers as well because the war is really bad. Sr. Munira works in the catholic hospital in Damascus. The line as you can expect was very bad but we managed to carry on a short conversation despite several cuts. I guess some people still care. Not everyone wants me dead.

It's almost a tradition that the Hebrew University relaunches the academic year late. There's been this dispute of budget with the govt. which has never been resolved. It's been dragging for years and school has always been delayed in starting on time. http://www.jerusalemonline.com/news/in-israel/education-and-society/beginning-of-hebrew-university-academic-year-postponed-24119

Winter is creeping in

Ethiopic family going to the feast

News is just coming out that there was a shooting an hour ago up in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood. 8 wounded and terrorist killed. It's a major attack since a lull of almost 3 months. But during these jewish holiday period, it's to be expected.

The past few days the ethiopic and eritrean communities were celebrating some feasts ... not sure what it is. It could have been a wedding. Anyway it's christian because most of the men and women wore cross-embroidered clothes. Anyway it was a big celebration as there were crowds coming into the Old City. A nice atmosphere of festivity to soften the tension of the Old City.

It gets very chilly in the nights. Jumpers and hoodies are worn in the evenings now ... and the change in weather is making people sick ... as usual. Winter has definitely crept in. I've been getting severe asthma attacks for 2 nights now. Haven't had them for several weeks but then many people are coughing a lot. Doc wants me to get a flu jab ... I wonder if I should. He says it's preventive because I'm always susceptible to illnesses. I noticed only old folks come to his clinic to get flu jabs. So I guess I count as one of the them!

Traditional ethiopic dress

Yom Kippur starts on Tuesday night. All week Jews by the thousands have been going to the Wailing Wall to pray the Selichot prayers and asking for forgiveness for their sins. It gets quite loud ... from our place which is 800 meters from the Wailing Wall we can hear the prayers and dirges over the public address system all night.

It's sad that news is focussing on the hurricane destruction in America ... not that it's unimportant ... but it's consciously avoiding the massacre in Aleppo. 2 more days and thousands more will be killed. And nothing is being done ... no public outcry, no international vigils and demonstrations. The world is silent. And its silence condemns itself of guilt.

On home ground, a rightwing hardline Minister earlier called for jews to sacrifice their lives to annex Samaria and parts of Judea into Israel (most of it is in Palestine). After a public outcry, he sought to clear his message ... but again today he seemed to call for jewish settlers in these areas to resort to violence against palestinians. http://www.haaretz.com/opinion/.premium-1.746539  Any wonder why palestinians are responding with violence?

6102016 palindrome day

A rather quiet Friday in the streets ... no tensions or violence ... which is nice. Right now lots of fireworks are being fired in the Ras el Amud neighbourhood which is about 2 km south from where I live. There's a wedding.

Buddy wants to study

School on the other hand has just started. Lots of work as new students need to be introduced to the hows and whats of the libraries. Had to be around to make sure everything was running smoothly. Students are busy registering for courses, asking for advice and buying text books.

Even Buddy wants to study. He's just learned how to fly and is practicing every day ... flying to my bookshelves and nibbling on my books. He's even learned to fly on my shoulder overtime I try to go out ... he wants to go out too. Sometimes I bring him around the corridor or the caffe room when the doors and windows are closed. The cat outside is waiting for a meal!!!

I wonder if you noticed yesterday was a palindrome date: 6/10/2016 or 6102016  ... useless information but something interesting for the brain to think about. When will the next palindrome date fall?

The newspapers are carrying news of some 2000 women who are marching from the north to the south here, to the PM's house to demand for peace. It'll take some 14 days to march from Rosh haNikra which is at the Lebanese border down 300 km to the PM's house in Jerusalem. They're tough these women.  http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4863103,00.html

And another good news is that Tel Aviv University hs discovered a way to alter the gene that causes Alzheimer's Disease. It's worked on mice ... now it's human trial. This is really groundbreaking ... Israeli science and medicine is always breaking new frontiers.  http://www.timesofisrael.com/israeli-scientists-announce-possible-alzheimers-breakthrough/

Now let's see if they can come up with a cure for asthma, severe allergic reactions and IBS.

Inauguration of new School year

Inauguration
Mass

Yesterday was the inauguration of the new academic year of our theological institutes. This year the Dominican Ecole Biblique did not join in. Almost 150 students, professors and staff of our franciscan theological seminary, the Studium Biblicum and the Salesian university attended the event, which consisted of a Mass presided by the Custos of the Holy Land. It's always exciting for the students especially the 1st years. New adventure. For the final year students, it will be a time to remember.

The new school year always means that our libraries have to be ready for the rhythm of researches, demands for photocopies and books. I had to get the library staff of both libraries to prepare for it. There's been a lot of administrative and structural changes to both libraries so a little getting use to is necessary by the staff.

The other day the newspapers carried an article about the cultural war in Jaffa. It's been mostly a city of peaceful co-existance between jews and arabs - the arabs being the majority. But now a radical rightwing jewish group has come to buy up property, setting up fences, employing military security, carrying guns, mocking and taunting the arabs. They seem to be determined to create a separation between the races just like in Jerusalem and the settlements in Palestine. Arabs and local jews of Jaffa came up to demonstrate against this. There is a name for this encroaching jewish takeover of land and culture... it's called judaization.  http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-1.745649

Meantime a major in the army has identified 2 cities that could become the flashpoints of the new war, and they're ignored by all the newspapers which prefer to highlight Gaza and Hebron. The cities are Jenin ad Tulkarm, 2 relatively unknown places. Jenin is where Jesus healed the 10 lepers but only one came back to thank him. http://www.timesofisrael.com/while-hebron-gets-the-press-jenin-and-tulkarem-are-the-sleeping-giants-israel-should-be-worried-about/

Well let's hope all these threats to peace will not disturb our students this academic year.

Feast of St. Francis of Assisi

Sanctuary of St. Savior Church with
the relic of St. Francis below the
statue on the left

Today is a solemnity for us. Mass was sung at our place but with only 10 celebrants because most others decided to join the Custodial Mass at St. Savior's at 10am. It's good once a year to see the franciscan family united for this celebration ... singing the ancient hymns composed for this feast. And to see the franciscan family made up of so many races: europeans, africans, asians ... St. Francis must be proud of this.

Rosh haShana ends tonight. Hopefully security will relax a bit so we have more freedom of movement. But in 10 days time it will be Yom Kippur so security will be raised again. Better enjoy the brief respite now by buying and stocking up on necessities before roads are closed off and shops close for business.

Today we had a nice surprise ... or rather, I had a nice surprise. An old classmate Sr. Gabriela Kim came to visit. She's korean and now 75 yrs old. We studied together in Jerusalem 25 yrs ago. Time surely flies. I only had half an hour to chat with her but it was good to catch up. Rosario, our other classmate is now economy of our school. Other classmates include Corrado who is now bishop of Pavia; Usama who is married here in Jerusalem and a tourist guide, Javier who was vicar general in Spain but died suddenly in 2009 at age 45, and Marino ... no news of him.

The reliquary

I still had to work today despite the solemnity. There's too much to do and even 2 of our volunteers decided to come back to work. I hadn't eaten anything since yesterday and on the way to work, I met Sr. Sophie with Sr. Noel. Sr. Sophie asked if I had eaten lunch and I said no; she said to wait and she'll bring dinner for me. She did .... another roast chicken!!! What a nice treat for the feast day!

My shoulder is not getting better. Last night, Paul our indian student helped put analgesic balm on it as I can't reach it with my left hand. This morning he helped again. The analgesic offers a bit of help ... relieving the pain for a couple of hours before it wears out. I can't take oral analgesic medication as it reacts with my other medication. Doc warned me against it. Hope a miracle will happen today ... the pain is causing me to have headaches.

Transitus of St. Francis

We just finished celebrating the Transitus of St. Francis of Assisi. That's the passing away (transitus) which occurred on the night of Oct. 3rd. The solemn celebration took place at our provincial house at St. Saviour church. The relic of St. Francis was taken out for veneration. And our young friars renewed their temporary vows during the ceremony. It was nice. The whole event was live broadcasted on Youtube.

Last night I had to go to the chinese convent for dinner. Actually I forgot all about it and was asleep when the sisters called to say what time I would arrive. Rushed 1km uphill to their convent ... feeling extremely tired and sleepy. I think I must have dozed off when I arrived. The sisters eat very simply: one boiled potato, half a boiled carrot, half a boiled sweet potato, a quarter of a boiled cabbage and a dozen leaves of boiled lettuce. That's for 5 people to eat!!!!!

3rd road block at
Ecce Homo

The roads were closed in East Jerusalem and coming home I found myself blocked out of my home. Within the 40 meters from Austrian Hospice (opposite the 3rd Station of the Cross) to my house there were 5 road blocks ... one every 8 or 9 meters. Utterly unbelievable!!! One in front of Austrian Hospice, then less than 10m at the parking lot behind the Armenian Catholic Church; then again at Ecce Homo convent, then one in front of our garage and another less than 5 meters at the entrance to Herod's Ascent which runs north along our property to Herod's Gate. Security was super duper tight. All because it was the Jewish New Year and the govt didn't want any terrorist attacks. Well much as they try, violence will occur like every year. It always does. It begins when jews enter the Al Aqsa Mosque compound on the Feast of Tabernacles to tear down the Golden Dome Mosque so that the jewish Messiah might come. That always sparks violence. No exceptions this year. been there, done that.

Road block at
Herod's Ascent

News is out that Prince Charles, after the State Funeral of Shimon Peres, went to the Mt. of Olives secretly to visit the tomb of his grandmother, the Princess Royal, Alice of Battenberg (later the family changed it to Mountbatten during the 2nd World War because of the German/Nazi link). She was the granddaughter of Queen Victoria, and was married to the Russian royal family. She converted to become Russian Orthodox, founded a congregation of russian nuns, saved russian jewish families and when she died, she asked to be buried in Jerusalem in the convent of the nuns she founded. I've been to see it twice. Well Charles and to go secretly because the british royal house has limits regarding visits to Israel.

Anyway my shoulder still hurts a lot. Right now. It's keeping me awake. I think I have a fever as well. I wonder when this will end. Chop my right arm off maybe.

Rosh haShana (Jewish New Year)

Shana Tova to my friends who are celebrating Rosh haShana today ... may your new year be fruitful and abundant in all good things.

The Suq inside Damascus Gate

Unfortunately it will not be all good for palestinians living in the Territories. Israel closed the borders yesterday night and it will remain closed till Tuesday when Rosh haShana ends. A rather drastic measure to take but Israel considers it a security necessity due to the rise of attacks last week. The jewish side of Jerusalem is already mostly closed. The trams still run but only for a while longer. Many shops have not opened ... and the few that do are mainly food stalls trying to sell their food because they will not be kept in the fridge for the next 3 days. East Jerusalem on the other hand is bustling with commerce. The Suq (market) inside Damascus Gate is packed with hawkers and bedouin women selling their fresh produce from the villages. The autumn harvest is in, so lots of fruit as well as herbs that grow well in this cool weather are being sold: mint (naa'na in arabic) and sage (maramia in arabic) ... and I think basil (rihan in arabic) should also be in season.

Wild parakeets
in the park

It was a nice surprise to see a local Singaporean hawker stall awarded with a Michelin Star. Amazing acknowledgment. It brings street food to the fore of an otherwise snobbish and inaccessible (for many of the common folk) world of fine cuisine. Poor folk like me can now dine on Michelin Star cuisine at the road corner.

And talking about feasting ... this morning I saw a flock of Indian ring-necked parakeets feasting on pine nuts at Independence Park. They were quite noisy ... as usual. Made me think of Miss Bird ... she's an albino of the same species. These parakeets are not local fauna but escaped pets. It's amazing how a pet that got free could breed and acclimatize in another country. There are now several flocks of these parakeets ... the one in East Jerusalem where I live number up to 20 birds. The ones I saw in West Jerusalem this morning was a flock about 12 birds. There are also flocks in Tel Aviv and many other parts of the country.

I'm afraid my shoulder is not healing well. The pain continues to be excruciating in the nights. My right foot was also swollen ... I think it was a nerve that was inflamed. The pain was so bad I had to spray 3 times analgesic medication but still could not walk or sleep. What a way to spend Rosh haShana.

Sabbat Shalom

Card from the
Carmelites in
Stanley. Buddy bit
a hole at the bottom

Sincere thanks to the Caveros, the Carmelite nuns of Stanley (Hong Kong) and all others who have passed wishes, prayers, greetings and gifts. Deeply appreciate them all. It's been many years since I last served the carmelites in Stanley. I am grateful they still remember me. Their lovely homemade card, bookmarks and gifts are very special. And they should know that I never forget them either and offer Mass for them every Sunday here in the Holy Land.

Newspapers today are analysing the eulogies delivered at Shimon Peres' funeral yesterday. Everyone praised the presence of the Palestinian president ... and today is suffering the consequence of his courageous choice to attend the funeral : unknown persons shot at his house this morning. But the unexpected presence of this arab leader in the wake, brought forth cordial words from the PM privately and the PM's wife even invited him to attend dinner at their home. All the newspapers also mentioned the sincerity of Obama and Clinton in their confidence and friendship with Peres which they don't have with the present PM. Some newspapers sound almost like an indictment against the PM. One paper even said that the PM now stands alone ... with all his mistakes ... with no one to correct and admonish him like Peres did. The last of the founding fathers of modern Israel ... the last moral authority was dead.   http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Politics-And-Diplomacy/Analysis-Conflicting-messages-from-the-Peres-funeral-469202  and http://www.timesofisrael.com/for-peres-a-funeral-as-memorable-as-the-man-himself/

Wisdom

But today life returns to normal. The VIPs have all left. The roads are reopened. People go back into the streets. But within 36 hours everything will close again. The jewish New Year begins on Sunday evening and will last for 3 days. No work is allowed, offices will be closed. In a way it's a boon for the arabs because shoppers will buy their food and other necessities from East Jerusalem. And that's exactly what everyone wants and everyone hopes: by not stirring up trouble and hatred, the "enemies" will quietly cross the line to do their shopping, and both sides benefit. If any one side rails and rants ... the fear and hatred will keep both sides apart: one side will go hungry with no food to buy, the other no money because nothing is sold. That's what Peres' funeral taught us. Too much talk impedes reconciliation. Just let things flow and everything will find its equilibrium. That is shalom.