Forty Days of Rain

 
  • Although there has been no deep freeze or pounding snowstorm, it has still been a long winter in the Holy Land.
  • In the Arab world, the rainy winter is known as the forty days, like in the Bible.
  • In such weather, it is best to visit museums or take in a movie at the English-language theatre (hello Star Wars).
  • Houses here are poorly insulated and rain gets in everywhere, which means we have a drafty house, leaky windows and a surprising amount of black mold.
  • In the Northern hills, rain will turn to snow, including at the Holy Land's only ski hill: Mount Hermon.
  • Sometimes (including last year) snow falls on Jerusalem, which means the entire city shuts down after a light dusting. 
  • Flash flooding and washouts are serious hazards, especially in dry areas like the Jordan Valley and Negev Desert. 
  • On the lighter side, Orthodox men wear large plastic covers to protect their wide-brimmed fedoras and furry shtreimel hats on Shabbat.
  • At the least, the parched land gets green for the season and rivers and stressed aquifiers can recharge. 
  • Spring will be around the corner soon enough and then the hot and dusty summer, when cold will be a distant dream.
Location: Jerusalem

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