Is your Behaviour in Keeping with Being a Jew?

I am sorry to have to write this, but constantly being subjected to dreadful neighbours is no fun. I apologize in advance, I have not edited this. I don't have the energy to concentrate on detail with constant noise.

Coming into the Salon and kitchen to be greeted by the shouting of a selfish neighbour is just not fun. WHY??? Why are people so selfish. At least in South Africa, well in the old South Africa, we had respect. No-one played their music at an inhuman level. If you wanted disco music you went to the disco. No-one dared phone anyone after 9 pm at night. TV or Music was turned off at 9 pm.

I learned from my grandfather when he wanted to listen to cricket or something and my grandmother was not well, he put on headphones. Respect is what I grew up with. How disappointing that this important Midda is so difficult to find in Israel. It should be easy. Aren't we supposed to be "A Light Unto the Nations"? What light are we shining? What message is this when any level of noise is permitted by law until 11 pm at night.

In the Old South Africa, manners and respect was part of who we are / were. We had really, really, really good neighbours in South Africa. We are still friends to this day with some of our old neighbours. I remember so clearly painting a picture for the little girl of one of our neighbours. I did it with great joy because they were good neighbours!

So sad that in Jerusalem, the holy city, such relationships are hard to build because the noise level and lack of respect robs one of the desire to get to know one's neighbour. I have nothing in common with anyone who develops a home that produces noise that is a combination of a cirucus and a disco. I have no desire to get to know neighbours who can not walk to their dustbin and throw away their garbage. Instead they throw it onto my mirpset (balcony). I have no desire to get to know neighbours who can't get up and put their shoes in their closet but instead throw them on our mirpset. Heavens, don't they need to wear their shoes? Are they so wealthy that shoes, hats, balls, backpacks can sit for weeks on our mirpset without caring to come and ask for it back again.

I know what it is like to be a child, I was a child too. My mother and my grandparents taught me how to respect our neighbours. I was taught to respect animals and the environment too. My grandfather even designed special dustbins to go onto lamp posts for a cleaner Cape Town. That was the start of many projects he was involved in. Throwing one's things onto the mirpset of another was just unheard of.

 The behaviour we are being subjected to is foreign to the life of a Jew. Tomorrow night we celebrate Pesach. As you prepare for Pesach, spend some time remembering what it is to be a Jew. Think about Avraham Avinu. Think About Yitzhak, Yaakov and how about Moshe? Think about what a Jew really is. Is your behaviour in keeping with the life of a Jew?