You Need To Know These Etiquette When Going To Israel! Know All About The Jewish Sabbath And Dietary Taboos

If you plan to travel or work in Israel, you may be attracted by the unique religious atmosphere of the place.

Israel is really a place where different religions and cultures meet and merge with each other. The degree of people's belief in beliefs and customs is often beyond the imagination of outsiders.

If you lack understanding of local rules, you may offend others by not paying attention, which may even lead to unwarranted and unnecessary misunderstandings.

In particular, Judaism has dietary taboos and a series of living customs. These details are numerous, from strict regulations on the Sabbath to quite complex and strict regulations on Kosher food, which fully demonstrate its profound religious connotation.

In that article, I will sort out for you the most practical and easily misunderstood Jewish customs, as well as dietary taboos, to help you do your homework in advance and make your journey smoother.

Sabbath: More than just a “day of rest”

The first thing to understand is Sabbath .

This is the holiest day of the week in Judaism, beginning at sunset on Friday and ending at sunset on Saturday.

During this period, Orthodox Jews followed the rules very strictly. They were not allowed to work, drive, or light a fire to cook. They were not even allowed to press the elevator button, use the TV remote control or any power switch, because they regarded this as equivalent to "lighting a fire" and a kind of creative labor.

Therefore, if you drive into an Orthodox Jewish community on the Sabbath, such as the Mea Shearim area of ​​Jerusalem, this behavior will be regarded as a very serious offense and can easily lead to conflicts.

Many shops, restaurants and public transportation will also be closed.

The best thing to do is to plan ahead, prepare meals before the Sabbath, and avoid activities that require driving or working with electrical appliances.

The Core of Jewish Diet: What is Kosher?

Kosher food, this is the kind of "clean food" that complies with Jewish regulations, and its regulations are extremely detailed.

The first important regulations involving animals stipulate that among land animals, only those with cloven hooves and rumination, such as cattle, sheep, deer, etc., are allowed to be eaten; in the category of poultry, raptors are prohibited from eating; for fish, they must have fins and scales, so seafood such as shrimps, crabs, and shellfish are not allowed to be eaten.

It is strictly forbidden to consume blood. This is the second key point. This is because the Jews hold the view that blood is the "liquid of life".

therefore, Kosher The meat must be specially slaughtered and bled.

The third famous law is Milk and meat cannot be eaten together .

Even the serving utensils cannot be used together with the cooking utensils, or even eaten at the same time, and the cleaning equipment must be strictly separated.

Orthodox Jewish families usually prepare two sets of kitchen utensils and tableware.

When dining with Jews, you must respect their habits, and it is best to obtain the other party's consent in advance for the food to be eaten together.

Because of this, many hotel restaurants in Israel are Kosher certified, and tourists are strictly prohibited from bringing in food and drinks that do not meet the regulations.

Important holidays and special taboos

There are many important festivals in the Jewish calendar, and their customs are also very unique.

During the Passover period, in order to commemorate the fact that their ancestors left Egypt in a hurry and had no time to let the dough ferment, the Jews would remove all leavened foods from their homes, such as bread and beer, and only eat Matsa, a specially made unleavened pancake.

The 10th day after Rosh Hashanah is the Day of Atonement, which is an important fasting day. On this day, believers will fast and pray in the synagogue to reflect on their mistakes.

On that day, except for special vehicles, almost all vehicles were off the road, and the atmosphere across the country was solemn and solemn.

During the Feast of Tabernacles, every household would set up a temporary tent outdoors to commemorate the wandering life of their ancestors in Sinai.

Knowing the dates of these festivals, which generally fall between March, April and September or October in the Gregorian calendar, as well as their customs, can help you better understand the local social rhythm and prevent inappropriate actions during sensitive periods.

Daily Interactions and Code of Conduct

In daily interactions, some details also need to be paid attention to.

In terms of clothing, when entering the synagogue, the Western Wall (also known as the Wailing Wall), or the Al-Aqsa Mosque area (known as the "Temple Mount" in Israel), you must dress according to the dress code for entering the mosque. Clothes should be solemn and conservative: for women, it is best to cover their hair with a headscarf, while men should wear a hat or a Kippah to cover the top of their head.

In the area called Al-Aqsa Mosque, please do not display any flags or slogans with political or religious connotations.

From the perspective of social etiquette, many women who believe in Orthodox Judaism strictly abide by the rules and will not have physical contact with other members of the opposite sex other than their husbands, which includes such behaviors as shaking hands and kissing each other.

Therefore, when meeting the opposite sex, avoid reaching out and just nod and smile.

In addition, in orthodox communities, you must be particularly careful when taking photos of people, and you must first obtain the other person’s explicit consent.

Things to know about Ramadan and Muslim customs

Israel also has a large Muslim population, and their important customs also need to be respected.

For Muslims, during the period of Ramadan stipulated by Islam, from the time when the sun rises to when the sun sets, it is forbidden to eat, drink, and smoke, except for children under the age of 8.

As a tourist, you should avoid eating, drinking, or smoking openly in certain public places where Muslims live, such as the streets of the Old City in East Jerusalem. This is a basic courtesy.

At the same time, you must also understand that during this period, some restaurants run by Muslims may not be open during the day, but will become particularly lively at night.

Being considerate and respecting the beliefs and practices of others are the qualities that travelers should have.

Overall, visiting Israel is a deep cultural experience.

Its charm lies precisely in the interweaving of this ancient faith with modern life.

Early knowledge of these core knowledge related to the Sabbath, Kosher diet, festival-related areas, and daily rituals is not the kind of existence that has a binding nature, but is like a key that can open the door.

It can help you open a door to understand the country more deeply, and interact with the locals more appropriately to avoid unintentional offenses, making your journey full of gains and respect.

Remember, when you are unsure, observation and questioning are the best approaches.