Written November 22, 2010
To my family, friends,
neighbor and all who are included in my Mishpacha (family) E-mail
category, Shalom from Sunny, rainless Israel. I miss you all, thinking
about my other home in the USA, and I,also, love my home here. It is
over 5 weeks since my arrival, every day is full of activities and
happenings,I must say I am BUSY. I saw 3 shows, all Israeli. Only one
of them I can mark as very good. 2 more, are in the planning. I went to 2
concerts, both were excellent (the usual). 1 more in the planning. I am
visiting friends & family,- my sister came for a Brunch today.
On Sunday, Oct. 28. I will be leaving on a 12 day tour to Morocco. Needless to say, I am excited.
With all the activities I
participated, the one event most memorable, took place last Thursday. I
was invited to a Henna Ceremony. This ceremony, is mostly performed by
Sephardi Jews mainly descendant from : Morocco, Libya, Tunisia,
Algeria, Yemen, Iraq. It is a Prenuptial ceremony were the bride is
"Marked" with Henna.This tradition came from Biblical time, when Jacob
worked for 7 years in the household of Laban for the promise to get his
daughter Rachel. As we know, Laban gave Jacob his daughter Lea
& Jacob worked for 7 more years for his beloved Rachel. Not to fool
a,groom again, the bride is "marked".
First, I must tell you,all,
that my invitation to the party came from the bride's grandmother who is
a daily visitor, black coffee company, of my neighbor Bertha Eini.
There was no way I could say NO. In my heart of heart I was happy. Never
attended a Henna, being an Ashkenazi Jew, it is not our tradition.
However, I was told, this ceremony is now popular in Israel,just another
party prior to the wedding.An event full of color, sweets, dance &
songs.
The entire place , as I
entered, looks like it was taken from 1001 night. The bride to be, wore
Shecherezda like dress, the groom, in white silk, silver embroidery,
jeweled "Fez". the bride changed 3 outfits during the evening. Music was
playing, food was served and about 75% of the guest, like a miracle,
appeared in caftans of silk, scarves with bells, gold & silver
crowns & hats. The Bride and Groom were surrounded by their
immediate family who carried plates of "Goodies". The mother of the
Bride, carried a bowel made of sesame seeds/sugar, full of the Henna
paste with 2 silver candles. At that same time, smaller plates, but big
enough, full of candies, cookies, sweets, wrapped in red & gold
ribbon, given to all the guest. A two seated, red velvet with gold
trimming, cart entered the hall, the young couple hopped and we ALL,
danced with the plates of goodies in front of them. The cart was pushed
through out
the hall while we danced & sang. The couple & the parents (and
grandmas) enter into a red velvet, pillows covered,tassel hanging mini
harem. Inside, the grooms mother presented the bride with Jewelry, as
well, the bride mom gave the groom a prayer shawl,and an embroidered
with his name, a prayer shawl bag and a watch. And then, each finger of
the bride and groom was covered with the candy called "RACHAT LAKUM" (a
soft kind of sweets - delicious).
At that point, the grandma,
picked up, a small lump of Henna paste, & placed it on the brid's
palm. She covered it with a small pillow like pad that had a flower
corsages on top, with 2 red ribbons to tie it to the back of the hand.
Once, the Bride & Groom,had their hands in Henna, all the guest were
invited to mark their hands. No need to guess, my left palm & a
"ring" around my 1st digital of the left ring finger is marked with
Henna.... I was told, the yellow/Orange color will fade with in 1-2
weeks.
p.s the dancing continued until after midnight, every one took his plate of sweets home.
Only in Israel. Hope to hear from you. Love,
Ima, Savta, The Shvig, Estherika, Ludmilla, Me, Esther.
