Monday, December 05, 2005

Lessons from Yitzchak: Why flying to Chutz La'aretz is bad.

This past shabbat I read in more than 3 different parsha sheets that the reason Yitzchak was not allowed to leave Eretz Yisrael during the famine, was because he was born in Eretz Yisrael, and inherently had more holiness. In fact, Hashem told him to go to Grar of the Plishtim (Gaza) instead of leaving Eretz Yisrael...meaning Gaza is part of EY...but that's not my point at all.

Rather, temporarily leaving Israel, even for good reasons (like smachot, and work) is still a bad idea.

I left Israel on motzei shabbat on a business trip. We landed in JFK...it took 75 minutes for our luggage (business colleague and mine) to arrive. Took another 15 minutes to get the Carnet (document for transporting commercial tax free goods) signed by JFK customs officials. Did I mention it was snowing? Its been in the 70's in Israel the past 2 weeks, and I was caught a bit unprepared for the freezing weather. Transferred out luggage. Took train to terminal 9. RAN like crazy to get ticketed...got stuck in security (after all, with a name like Jameel)...panted my way up the escalator to the gate, and as we ran straight to the gate, the ticket person grinned and yelled at me - "SAFE...you made it" (with 1 minute to spare).

Got on the plane, door closed behind us...and then we were stuck on the plane for 4 hours without takeoff...because of the snow. Leaving 4 hours later, I was frozen. When we arrived in LA, our luggage apparently had other plans.
Just called AA lost luggage computerized interactive voice recognition system...and "my luggage has not yet been located...have a nice day."

I'm starving...and there's no Kosher restaurants here. Be back soon.

UPDATE: Baruch Hashem for Ralph's supermarket...and entenmann's donuts. That should keep me till I find some real food.

13 comments:

Batya said...

Gevalt home sounds better than ever.

what about bananas and tuna? and an apple and cucumber?

Jack Steiner said...

J,

There are a ton of Kosher restaurants out here in LA. If you need help finding some email me at talktojacknow@sbcglobal.net.

Jameel @ The Muqata said...

Thanks jack...I'll be emailing you shortly.

Batya: Right now, I bought some junk food, and some bagles, cream cheese, and tuna. That should hold me for a bit.

right now, I'm more upset about my luggage.

Ezzie said...

Tons of GOOD Kosher restaurants in LA. Email me if you want more suggestions... Jack's a native, he's too biased. :)

Cosmic X said...

This post makes me even more glad that I'm in Jerusalem!

Steg (dos iz nit der šteg) said...

Yo, bro — don't diss our snow!

:-P

Are you going to be in NYC for any substantial period of time on your way back to the Muqaat‘a?

Anonymous said...

I realize this may be off topic, but there's an article at Haaretz (English) that's worth seeing (http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/653181.html)

Some quotes:
* Shelly Yachimovich is "sick and tired of hearing about what is happening in the Muqata."
* But above all, the idea that our internal and social problems can be separated from "what is happening in the Muqata" is distorted.
* Sick and tired of hearing about the Muqata? Let's get up and out of there.

Don't worry, we still like you, Jameel.

Jameel @ The Muqata said...

Mike; Shelly's just upset that I used to diss her on my Arutz Sheva show, 10 years ago.

I'm sick and tired of hearing about hearing about her as well.

The feeling's mutual!

Shukran.

Anonymous said...

sorry.But I do miss enteman's doughnutsI have one right around my belly.

Jameel @ The Muqata said...

Steg: I'm not dissin no snow! I hope someone enjoyed it...

When I'm a bit prepared for snow (like warm clothes) then I enjoy it as much as the next guy. I loved taking my oldest 3 kids to the Golan for skiing...

I'm only going to be briefly passing via JFK on my way back home on Sunday morning, but I have a list of shopping stuff requested by Mrs. Rashid to get in the 6 hours I'll be on the ground.

When are you going to be in Israel -- the Muqata is always open for visitors!

JoeSettler said...

I've heard that Grar of the Plishtim at the time of Yitzchak was in the Negev.

The later Plishtim at the time of the Judges were in Aza, Ashkelon and Ashdod.

So that may not be a proof.

JoeSettler said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
JoeSettler said...

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/653181.html

Check out post #155

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