Daily Archives: September 27, 2012

It’s beginning to look a lot like Succos

With Succos coming up quickly (it starts Sunday night), the Rova is a flurry of activity. Palm fronds seem to be the schach of choice. Lulavim and esrogim are for sale around every corner.

People just go ahead and put up their succahs in the public square. Note also the construction activity up on the rooftops.

 

Carrying the schach up to the succah.

 

Schach delivery.

 

Schach for sale by the parking lot, with the Churva in the background.

 

Engineering around hazards in the landscape.

 

I got my esrog from a fellow at the yeshiva who was selling them. Here’s some of what he had to choose from.

 

Lulavim on his table.

 

 

Seasonal flags look a little different over here.

 

In the heat of Succos prep, look who shows up again.

 

Why you won’t be hearing from Yitzi directly

It’s been suggested that Yitzi do a “guest post” on the blog, to relate his experience so far. I’m not sure that’s a good idea. Yitzi’s written work is a bit… surreal. For example, here’s a recent email exchange he had with my Dad (using Debbie’s email account):

From: Debbie Kovel Shmikler <dxxx@xxx.com>
To: Robert Shmikler <xxx@xxx.com>
Sent: Tue, September 11, 2012 8:01:22 AM
Subject: Joke

Dear Grandpa
Why did the snacks cross the road? To get to the zoo!
I love you and miss you very very much.
Love,
Yitzi

On 11 בספט 2012, at 05:05 אחה״צ, Robert Shmikler <rxxx@xxx.net> wrote:

Dear Yitzi,

Hummmm…I’m still trying to understand the joke.  Was somebody carrying the snacks?

I love you too and miss you.  I think about my trip to come and see you and your brothers every day.   I look on Facebook and the blog for news about you.

Maybe we can Skype tomorrow (Wednesday)? I’m very busy today because I have to drive Grandma to the doctor in downtown Chicago for her annual heart check-up.
Love,

Grandpa

From: Debbie Kovel Shmikler <dxxx@xxx.com>
To: Robert Shmikler <rxxx@xxx.net>
Sent: Tue, September 11, 2012 12:04:53 PM
Subject: Joke

Dear GRANDPA

the snacks were going to the  bag in the zoo.  Nobody was holding the snacks.

Love,

Hitting

 

From: Robert Shmikler <rxxx@xxx.net>
Date: 12 בספטמבר 2012 02:14:23 לפנה״צ GMT+03:00
To: Debbie Kovel Shmikler <dxxx@xxx.com>
Subject: Re: Joke

Now I’m really confused.  Who is “Hitting”?