Give love a chance

Image via Wikipedia//The citadel of Safed

“Amuka” is the burial site of Yonathan ben Uziel, considered one of the greatest students of Rabbi Hillel, a gathering place for all those looking for help in finding their soul mates. The place is situated 15 minutes’ drive from Safed, in a wooded valley between Zefat and Chatzor in Upper Galilee. Yonathan ben Uziel is famous for his translation of the Prophets into Aramaic.

"It was said that whenever Rabbi Yonathan, son of Uziel, sat down to delve into the Torah, any bird straying over his head was burnt by his words." [Tractate Sukkah 28a]

The tradition says that those without spouses or children have found their salvation there. Very close you could find books of prayers, burning candles and a tree adorned with dozen of scarves, head-kerchiefs and strips of cloth. Women leave something there of themselves as a talisman to maintain a continuous connection with the place.

Sources:

http://ascentofsafed.com/cgi-bin/ascent.cgi?Name=amuka

http://www.haaretz.com/culture/books/israel-grave-moments-in-amuka-1.70826

Tu B'Av

A very short history of the celebration and an inspiring video about finding your soul mate. For those who already did it, today could be a day to rediscover and appreciate what we are given.

Ketubah Splendor at the Jewish Museum – Forward.com

Ketubah Splendor at the Jewish Museum – Forward.com

The matchmaker

An experience from Jerusalem.

Open way for civil marriages in Israel

Image via Wikipedia

An interesting news via Ynet:

"The Knesset's Constitution, Law, and Justice Committee has approved the fee for civil marriages in Israel, effectively paving the way for the instatement of these marriages within the coming days. Once official guidelines are published, non-Jewish Israelis, or citizens defined by the State as lacking religious denomination, will be able to marry without the Chief Rabbinate".

Las Vegas mood, not for all

The state where you could get married easier in the States is Nevada. But, this gambling is having its limits: you need to belong to a religious congregation. Otherwise - if you are an atheist - you can't.