O my Luve is like a red, red rose
That’s newly sprung in June;
O my Luve is like the melody
That’s sweetly played in tune.
Today marks the birthday of Robert Burns, Scotland’s
favourite poet and national bard, affectionately known as Rabbie Burns. His birthday, January 25th, is celebrated as the biggest night of the year in the Scottish calendar.
favourite poet and national bard, affectionately known as Rabbie Burns. His birthday, January 25th, is celebrated as the biggest night of the year in the Scottish calendar.
Across Scotland, people gather for a Burns Supper of whiskey,
haggis and poetry. Traditionally, guests
sit around a table, whisky in hand and haggis is brought out on a large tray. The
host stands up, and flourishing a ceremonial knife, he recites Burns’ poem on Haggis.
haggis and poetry. Traditionally, guests
sit around a table, whisky in hand and haggis is brought out on a large tray. The
host stands up, and flourishing a ceremonial knife, he recites Burns’ poem on Haggis.
 |
| Introducing a new 10-pound note in honor of Robert Burns. |
Hang onto your haggis….how does an
observant Jewish woman from Toronto know about this? And what’s the connection
between Burns Day and life in Israel?
observant Jewish woman from Toronto know about this? And what’s the connection
between Burns Day and life in Israel?
Ay. Israel is the home to Jews from all
over the world. We have Anglo immigrants from every continent here and they all bring
a wee bit of home with them when they make aliyah.
over the world. We have Anglo immigrants from every continent here and they all bring
a wee bit of home with them when they make aliyah.
The Americans take their Thanksgiving
dinner very seriously, serving a classic roast turkey with cranberry sauce. In
2011, the Brits here went bonkers over the Royal Wedding and some held a
special English Afternoon Tea in honour of the event.
dinner very seriously, serving a classic roast turkey with cranberry sauce. In
2011, the Brits here went bonkers over the Royal Wedding and some held a
special English Afternoon Tea in honour of the event.
The South Africans import
biltong (beef jerky) and have their own grocery store here in Ra’anana called
Meatland–just in case they run out. For many Australians, the Aussie barbie is a
sacred Thursday evening event. As for us Canadians, well, we keep a low profile, but tend to know the Leafs’ standing in the NHL.
biltong (beef jerky) and have their own grocery store here in Ra’anana called
Meatland–just in case they run out. For many Australians, the Aussie barbie is a
sacred Thursday evening event. As for us Canadians, well, we keep a low profile, but tend to know the Leafs’ standing in the NHL.
And the Scots? Well, here is a wee look
at what happens when Glaswegians come to Israel….
at what happens when Glaswegians come to Israel….
On Saturday, we were invited to a
Shabbat Kiddush after shul. This was not your average Kiddush; it was to honor Rabbi
(aka Rabbie) Burns on his upcoming birthday.
Shabbat Kiddush after shul. This was not your average Kiddush; it was to honor Rabbi
(aka Rabbie) Burns on his upcoming birthday.
 |
| Far from R’anana…Burns’ cottage in Alloway, Scotland. |
We warmed up with standard kiddush fare,
eating herring, chopped egg and hummous. Suddenly, our hosts marched from
the kitchen with a large tray. Here we were, Americans, Canadians, Brits and
Australians sitting with our whiskey on a Shabbos morning in complete awe. Grasping
a carving knife, Ellis started to recite Burns’ poem on Haggis and we sat
spellbound as he eloquently delivered the rich words of the Bard.
eating herring, chopped egg and hummous. Suddenly, our hosts marched from
the kitchen with a large tray. Here we were, Americans, Canadians, Brits and
Australians sitting with our whiskey on a Shabbos morning in complete awe. Grasping
a carving knife, Ellis started to recite Burns’ poem on Haggis and we sat
spellbound as he eloquently delivered the rich words of the Bard.
His knife see rustic Labour dight,
An cut you up wi ready slight,
Trenching your gushing entrails bright,
An cut you up wi ready slight,
Trenching your gushing entrails bright,
Like onie ditch;
And then, O what a glorious sight,
Warm-reekin, rich!
 |
| Traditional (not kiddush) haggis. |
Our delicious mock haggis was a kosher, vegetarian
rendition. One of the guests then stood up and recited A Red, Red Rose to his
wife, explaining that this was his favourite poem in Yeshiva.
rendition. One of the guests then stood up and recited A Red, Red Rose to his
wife, explaining that this was his favourite poem in Yeshiva.
We all come from many places in the
world and now that we are living in Israel, we share, learn and become enriched
from each other’s rich cultures.
world and now that we are living in Israel, we share, learn and become enriched
from each other’s rich cultures.
Till a’ the seas gang dry, my dear,
And the rocks melt wi’ the sun;
I will love thee still, my dear,
While the sands o’ life shall run.
0
0
1
409
2335
Amnic
19
5
2739
14.0
Normal
0
false
false
false
EN-US
JA
X-NONE
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:”Table Normal”;
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:””;
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
Thank ye Ellis and Susan
Discover more from Life in Israel
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Life in Israel 
Very nice. Thanks for the mention! But most of all, glad you enjoyed it.
LikeLike
Ya Wee, sleekit, cow'rin, tim'rous beastie!!!!
LikeLike