On Hoshana Rabbah We Bid Farewell to the Etrog and Lulav and Welcome Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah

Today is Hoshana Rabbah, the last day of Sukkot. In synagogues around the world, Jews take up the etrog and lulav for the last time and march around the shul seven times carrying them together with the myrtle and willow leaves.

In the evening we welcome Shemini Atzeret, a separate holiday which leads into Simchat Torah. In Israel, both holidays are celebrated in a single day.  

The search for a nice set of the four species is a big project in Israel, where stands are set up in the street and in front of stores where the etrogim (citrons) are on display for buyers to inspect and purchase.

In this video, singer Aaron Holder visits the Mahane Yehuda market in Jerusalem, smelling his way through many etrogim before finding the perfect one.

We will be observing Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah on Thursday and Friday, leading into another Shabbat. So Jewish Humor Central will be taking a break for two days, and we'll be back on Sunday with our usual mix of humor and music.

Enjoy, Chag Sameach, and Shabbat Shalom!

Jerusalem's Mahane Yehuda Street Market (The Shuk) Marks its 100th Anniversary

Jerusalem's Mahane Yehuda ("The Shuk") has been a must see destination for tourist visitors and for the residents who rely on it every day for a wide selection of fresh foods. It has been in business for 100 years and marked the occasion yesterday with a big celebration.

Actually the 100th anniversary was in June 2022, but with coronavirus restrictions in place last year, the celebration was held yesterday.

As Linda Gradstein wrote in The Jerusalem Post,

Mahaneh Yehuda was originally registered with the British Mandate authorities in June 1922, meaning the 100th birthday celebrations should have been held a year ago but were delayed because of corona. While the market originally began during the Ottoman Empire, with Arab farmers and villagers bringing their produce to the area, it was only during the Mandate that the British Mandate governor appointed a city planner named Charles Robert Ashby and an architect to draft a plan for the market, including proper sewage and garbage disposal.

His plan was never implemented, as it cost too much money, but the shuk continued to grow. Some of the Arab merchants sold their stalls to Jewish merchants, many of whom continue to operate them today. The Mahaneh Yehuda market association has more than 600 members.

Here is the video of the celebration posted by Israel's i24 News channel.

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Etrog After Sukkot: A Visit to Jerusalem's Medicine Man and His Etrog Remedies

Starting tomorrow we will be waving the etrog, along with the lulav, myrtle and willow branches, for the week of Sukkot. The etrog can be very expensive, costing up to and in some cases more than $100 apiece.

But what use is the etrog after the holiday is over? It depends where you are and who you are. As we enter the Sukkot holiday, let's hop over to Jerusalem's Mahane Yehuda market, where one of the shopkeepers, Uzi-Eli Chezi, is known as the Etrog medicine man.

In this video, Uzi-Eli greets a pair of American visitors and gives them instant etrog-based treatments for a variety of illnesses and skin conditions, along with a jolly laugh and a hearty welcome to Israel.

Enjoy! We'll be celebrating Sukkot tomorrow and Wednesday, returning with more Jewish Humor Central on Thursday.

Chag Sameach!

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Welcoming Shabbat with "The Shuk" Band in Jerusalem's Mahane Yehuda Shuk

The musical group that calls itself The Shuk Performs live concerts and providing workshops and educational programming worldwide in communities, theaters, festivals, synagogues, private events and programming for Jewish events and organizations in over 30 countries.

The Shuk features an eclectic and accomplished cast of musicians, artists, and educators based both in Israel and in New York City.

They perform an array of Jewish Fusion World Music, World Music, Israeli Music, Middle Eastern Music, Jazz, and Progressive Ethnic Music across the world year-round.

In February 2016 we posted their uplifting version of Shalom Aleichem. In today's video they visit Mahane Yehuda (The Shuk) in Jerusalem and play a medley of Kabbalat Shabbat songs.

Enjoy and Shabbat shalom!

A SPECIAL NOTE FOR NEW EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS:  THE VIDEO MAY NOT BE VIEWABLE DIRECTLY FROM THE EMAIL THAT YOU GET EACH DAY ON SOME COMPUTERS AND TABLETS.  YOU MUST CLICK ON THE TITLE AT THE TOP OF THE EMAIL TO REACH THE JEWISH HUMOR CENTRAL WEBSITE, FROM WHICH YOU CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON IN THE VIDEO IMAGE TO START THE VIDEO.

Welcoming Shabbat with Lecha Dodi by Eliyahu Chait at the Jerusalem Shuk

There's nothing like preparing for Shabbat by visiting the shuk in Jerusalem.  The sounds, sights, and smells of the famed open market are the perfect background for selecting the freshest and finest foods to grace the Shabbat table.

Eliyahu Chait, Son of the famous legendary composer R’ Baruch Chait is bringing a new sound to Jewish music! This music video lets you enjoy a beautiful Erev Shabbat shoping experience at the Mahane Yehuda shuk in Jerusalem. 

Enjoy, and Shabbat shalom!

A SPECIAL NOTE FOR NEW EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS:  THE VIDEO MAY NOT BE VIEWABLE DIRECTLY FROM THE EMAIL THAT YOU GET EACH DAY ON SOME COMPUTERS AND TABLETS.  YOU MUST CLICK ON THE TITLE AT THE TOP OF THE EMAIL TO REACH THE JEWISH HUMOR CENTRAL WEBSITE, FROM WHICH YOU CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON IN THE VIDEO IMAGE TO START THE VIDEO.