Israelis yearn for and await the (rare) arrival of snow. Snowfall in Israel is considered a holiday, and we celebrate it to the fullest. But the real celebration is when it snows in Jerusalem.
Everyone goes out to celebrate in the streets. They look for a cafe to drink hot chocolate with the children. They visit each other. They make sweet, milky “sachlav-orchid” drink at home. And of course they don’t forget to build snowmen decorated with carrot noses. It doesn’t matter that the day after the snow, the city looks ruined with branches and broken trees on the roads – snow that turns to mud, and damage everywhere.
We all still long for snow.
It turns out that snow is already mentioned in the sources, and it symbolizes purification and atonement. For example,
- Isaiah says: “Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow” (Isaiah 1), meaning that dark red sins – shall become as white as snow.
- King David says: “Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will become pure. Wash me, and I shall be made white as snow” (Psalm 51). For David as well, snow symbolizes the washing and whitening of the soul.
- Even Job joins the “party” and says: “…I have washed myself with snow water, and made my hands pure with soap…” (Job 9).
Snow is a symbol of purity and atonement – because it is pure white. But there is more to it than that. Snow smooths and rounds everything out. The place where snow falls suddenly looks completely different. Suddenly there is no difference between a sidewalk and a road. Piles of scrap metal turn into white hills, and thorny bushes turn into smooth whipped cream. Everything becomes smooth; everything calms down. Those who are privileged to see the snow fall also know that snow is quiet. Not with noise, nor with wind, nor with fire, a quiet voice reminiscent of the one Elijah heard.
Atonement (“kaparah”) comes from the word for covering. The lid of the Ark of the Testimony is called “kaporet.” And a substance called “Kofer” was used for covering and coating; as Noah was commanded about the ark: “And you shall cover it with “kofer” both inside and outside.” Snow covers everything.
In some instances they say that suppressing or covering is not good, and that in order to fix something, you have to dig, and uncover hidden things. But this is not always true. The snow that covers everything says: “Come and see how your gray street can turn into a palace of clouds for a few hours.” The snow covers and suppresses and hides and envelops. This is the secret of its power.
The Temple is also called “The white place – Levanon”. This is because it whitens the sins of Israel. Therefore, there is a very strong connection between the Temple and the mountains of Lebanon. [White is “Lavan.”] From the snowy mountains of Lebanon they began to build the Temple. That’s where the cedar trees came from. And from there came the great architect of the Temple: “A wise man of understanding… son of a woman from the tribe of Dan and a father from Tyre.” [Lebanon]
The tranquility of snow is not only when it falls. Snow does not cause floods in the same way as rain. Snow melts gradually, with a slow drip, soaking the soil deep down. When snow rests on this city, it is draped as with a prayer shawl “tallit.”
For several days now, weather forecasts have claimed snow is expected in Jerusalem, and we are preparing with food, and even with special food. We are taking care to provide extra heating for the house, batteries for power outages, etc. However, every dry day that passes pushes the snow we long for, away from our grasp; and leaves us with only rain and cold. I have always say that in Israel they don’t know how to predict winter weather. Summer, on the other hand, is no problem. They say it will be warm and the sun will shine, and they are right. So, just before winter ends here, I am still praying and hoping for white – to come and cover us.
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Beautiful piece and beautiful peace!