Weather and weddings

Daily market at Damascus Gate

We just received the shocking news that one of our young friars, Fr Firas, died of corona virus. He's no more than 45 yrs old and was parish priest here in Jerusalem before being transferred to Syria last year. He's our youngest casualty to the pandemic. And he is the 2nd of our friars to die from it. R.I.P.

Locally crises fluctuate from north to south, secular to religious, left to right. Last night tensions with Gaza in the south switched to the north as border alarm sounded and residents were told to stay indoors. Apparently a border incident with Lebanon occurred ... an infiltration or shooting. This morning's news clarified it was shooting. The massive secular demonstration against the PM turned to religious protest as the PM, health experts and the army insist on a lockdown during the 3 week jewish religious feasts (New Year, Kippur and Sukkot) which orthodox and ultra-orthodox jews are fighting against.

Wedding at public square

Meantime we learn that Ukraine has banned tourists after Israel added pressure to stop ultra-orthodox jews from going there to visit the tomb of a famed rabbi, in order to prevent further spread of the pandemic. It's an annual event which newspapers say is idolatry ... raising the level of a dead rabbi to an object of veneration. The religious jews are fuming and the clash with the govt will be awful as they might pull out of the coalition. But we think in the end a secret team of ultra-orthodox will be allowed to go ... things always work out like this. Make a law but create exceptions.

August is ending in a week's time and the summer heat is slowly giving way to autumn weather. It still gets hot during midday but cool winds are more common and the nights are chilly. This is the time for weddings as evening banquets held in the open air is well-suited for this weather.