Im not sure where I start with this… What a first day!

We arrived into Tel Aviv last last night and had a decent amount of sleep ready to explore a part of Jerusalem not many westerners go to.

After meeting Helousia, the lady that began this trip for us and Mrs G’s dear family friend, we ventured out to a place called  Me’a She’arim. We had to dress from head to toe to be covered in this neighbourhood and still they looked at us like we were aliens.

This day was a Friday and all the Orthodox Jews were getting ready for Sebat. Its from Friday to Saturday they feast and have a religious day. It was incredible hearing how this religion works. I have attached a clip from our guide talking in-depth on the way these people live. They live in there own world and are in disbelief of the rest of the world.

They really just keep to themselves and their religion.

Our guide was telling us the woman is the main income earner by working in schools and nursery’s, the caring industry. while the men stay at home and study. Study and never work. Its a way of getting out of paying Tax’s. Which  irritates other Israeli’s.

While we were walking around ,the men would look over then quickly look away. Its apparently stated in their Bible and even on signs around Me’a She’arim that if a man looks at a woman and he is married he goes to hell and the wife gets punished; she gets punished because she enticed the men to look at the other female. I found it hard to believe until I showed the picture of the sign to one of the workers at the American Colony where we were staying.

Everyone was heading home getting ready for Shebat when we went to Me’a She’arim. Here are some pictures and a video of our guide explaining the religion.

This place was very derelict. These Orthodox jews living back in time and not moving on with the rest of the world. I couldn’t help but respect them, how they still have such a thriving way of living. completely sticking to their own beliefs and  only socialising within themselves.

This religion was very strange to me. You may understand a little more by listening to this man speak about the religion.