Friday, December 6, 2019

Friday shopping: “You want only one challah? Here, they are seven shekel for one, but now four for twenty!” I only want one. As it is, I always end up throwing out what’s left of the previous week’s when I get a new one. “And you want only one donut?” I do. This is donut season, but I try to eat no more than one a day. “This one has no strawberry jam. You want strawberry jam? I get you with strawberry jam.” The baker disappears from behind the counter and reappears with what I guess is a different donut. They look the same to me. Outside, a flock of pigeons tear apart a challah someone set out for them. Around the corner, a pillar bears a half dozen death notices. Other signs on it announce that a new torah scroll will be inaugurated at a synagogue down the street and that a hummus joint that I’ve never tried has lost its kosher certification. Two chassidim pack up a table a few meters away where they’ve been trying to get men to put on tefillin. Shops start to close. Shabbat is almost here.