Purely Israeli: 78 Things We Love About Israel

Here are 78 things we love about Israel:

1. The phrase "Yiyeh Beseder" (It'll be okay), even when things are definitely not okay.

2. The smell of fresh challah from bakeries and home windows on Friday afternoons.

3. The absolute silence in the streets on Yom Kippur.

4. Saying the phrase "It’s so good to get back to routine" after holidays or wars.

5. Calling "Yedidim"* (the volunteer roadside assistance) when you’re stuck with your car in the middle of nowhere - or a minute from home.

6. Heated arguments over the AC temperature at home, at work, and in the synagogue.

7. Hot falafel with tahini dripping onto your pants.

8. The phrase "Why are you shy? Take some!" when offered free food at the market or supermarket.

9. The smell of the first rain and the sight of rushing waterfalls in the North.

10. The chill during the final line of *"Hatikva"* at international sporting events.

11. Shouting *"U'letiferet Medinat Yisrael!"* (For the glory of the State of Israel) along with the TV during the Torch-Lighting Ceremony.

12. A rich Israeli breakfast with finely chopped salad.

13. Getting annoyed at countries that don't give Israel points in the Eurovision, but rejoicing at every "Douze Points."

14. Wanting Israel to win the Eurovision, but absolutely not wanting to host it next year.

15. Picking cherries and strawberries and taking photos of anemones.

16. Celebrating every single centimeter added to the Sea of Galilee.

17. Saying "Segula le'hatzlacha" (A charm for success) to a Givati soldier and shouting *"Golanchik, my brother!" to a Golani soldier.

18. Laughing at "The Original Abu-Shukri Hummus" made in Kiryat Gat.

19. Matzah with chocolate spread.

20. The joy of the entire building when a neighbor returns home from reserve duty (*Miluim*).

21. The phrase "I just have one question" while cutting the line at the doctor or the supermarket.

22. Seeing the synagogue fill up for Kol Nidre and Ne'ila prayers.

23. Taking photos while jumping into springs right next to "No Swimming" and "No Diving" signs.

24. Matkot (beach paddleball) accidentally firing ping-pong balls at tourists on the beach.

25. Grilling on a traffic island and offering kebabs in a pita to passing police officers.

26. Complaining about basketball and soccer players who are stars in foreign leagues but flop for the national team.

27. The "Mi Sheberach" blessing for IDF soldiers and the Prayer for the State of Israel in the synagogue.

28. Finding sites with family vacations in Israel that are somehow cheaper than going abroad.

29. Buying products on "Last Minute" sale with the firm belief that it really is the last minute.

30. Red Bamba on an airplane.

31. Songs by Shlomo Artzi, Mashina, and Ethnix around a Lag BaOmer bonfire.

32. Sighing every year at the "sharp transition" from Memorial Day to Independence Day.

33. Soldiers declaring "I swear" and "I declare" at the Bahad 1 officers' graduation ceremony.

34. Buying ptitim (Israeli couscous) abroad and getting excited that they call it "Ben-Gurion Rice."

35. Watching the "I love pita on the gas stove the most" video on the eve of Yom Kippur.

36. Mincha and Arvit prayers in public parks - a habit from COVID that stuck.

37. Going on hikes behind guides who promise a shortcut but take the long way.

38. Complaining that everything is expensive while continuing to shop at those exact expensive places.

39. Postponing important things until "After the Holidays" or the unknown time of "When it's all over."

40. Crashing a *Mimouna* party attended by the Prime Minister or celebrities without an invite.

41. Arguing with ground crew at Ben Gurion Airport over luggage weight limits.

42. Gathering people for a minyan (prayer quorum) on an Israel Railways train or at the central bus station.

43. Seeing a tefillin stand inside a 24/7 convenience store or a fast-food restaurant.

44. Bragging that Israelis or Jews were on the development team of a new invention.

45. Complaining every year that there are "no good performances" in the city for Independence Day, yet dancing at all of them.

46. Hosting "Lone Soldiers" for Shabbat and holiday meals.

47. Arguing with the Light Rail inspectors and then paying the fine anyway.

48. Offering to pay for the shawarma of the soldier in uniform standing in front of you in line.

49. Quoting lines from cult films like Mivtza Savta, Givat Halfon, and Hagiga B'Snuker.

50. Completely ignoring the flags and the lifeguards at the beach.

51. Complaining every winter about the "shortage" of Krembos and strawberries.

52. Complaining about the situation in the country, yet ranking high on the global Happiness Index every year.

53. Sharing photos of holiday and Shabbat tables on social media.

54. Running to the window before Independence Day when the Air Force flyover (*Matas*) passes over the house.

55. Watching adults help renovate preschool courtyards with their kids.

56. Hearing "Hey brother, you got a light?" at a protest you just happened to walk past without participating in.

57. The ritual of adding "Soup Mandels" (shkedei marak) to a fancy foreign soup ordered on Wolt.

58. Looking out the window while standing in traffic to watch other drivers standing at attention during the memorial siren.

59. Israeli flags fluttering from car windows.

60. Mass prayers at the Western Wall.

61. Arguments on the high-speed train about whether it’s better to live in Jerusalem or Tel Aviv.

62. Elaborate marriage proposals on the Mediterranean shore.

63. Kids singing a solo of Yerushalayim Shel Zahav at ceremonies without any musical accompaniment.

64. Asking the neighbor for a cup of sugar for a cake right before Shabbat begins.

65. Volunteers blowing the Shofar in hospitals during the month of Elul and Rosh Hashanah.

66. The "Most Beautiful Sukkah" competitions across the country and toffee candies for kids who visit them.

67. Singing "He Always Loves Me" on a bus on the coastal road.

68. Laughing at the guide's question near Hadera: "Which of the three chimneys is the tallest?"

69. Turning a Shoresh sandal bag into a portable coffee kit (pakal kafe).

70. Comparing "HaGashash HaHiver" to "Ma Kashur" or any Israeli comedy trio.

71. Mutual aid and coming together during emergencies.

72. Signs in public parks saying "No Noise between 2:00 and 4:00 PM."

73. Food found only in Israel in its original packaging: Milky, Halva, Bamba, and Tilon.

74. Non-stop news watching while complaining that there’s no break from the news.

75. Singing *"Hevenu Shalom Aleichem"* on foreign airlines after "hiding Israeli symbols" for the whole trip.

76. Cheering for Israeli athletes who defeat opponents who refused to shake their hands.

77. Pausing the song on the radio or phone to say the "Traveler’s Prayer."

And one for next year:

78. Telling everyone at every opportunity that there are many more achievements to come until the Temple is rebuilt.