Shalom Japan...

Being welcomed to Japan by a Rabbi, his wife and 7 children was the last first impression I thought I would encounter. At first it was slightly overwhelming, but not long after my arrival I felt like part of their family. 

This time of year is the high holidays. I had planned on spending time with Chabbad house for the fast. Rabbi Binyamin was gracious enough to allow me to stay at his house. In turn, I helped cook the Yom Kippur pre fast meal. 

This had to be one of the most interesting meals I have ever cooked in my life. The food was simple and delicious, but the help was what surprised me. 6 out of 7 children were in the kitchen wielding sharp knives and cooking over the fire. Mind you, the age range was 3-11. They made 10 kilograms of challah from scratch with the recipe memorized. Rolling the challah was a debacle as well. Siblings being just that, there was bound to be a rivalry. Raw dough flew through the air like mortars and shrieks that could shatter glass rang from their mouths. Quite amusing I must say. 

Not only was is able to cook, I had the mitzvah of helping build the succa. This is a thousand year old tradition of building an open structure. It represents the time spent in the desert after Rameses released the Jews, my ancestors from Egypt. Yet again, a sight to see. Only pictures can explain. 

Spending Yom Kippur in Tokyo was the most unique experience I have encountered in my religion. People from all over the world who were I. Japan came for the fast and prayers. New friends and travel companions were made while existing relations became stronger. This is the spirit of the holidays. Bringing together citizens of the world is the future of our world.