A Hot Shower
Getting a hot shower in Israel during the winter isn’t as simple as it is in Canada or the States. Here, the sun either has to be shinning brightly; otherwise, the “dude hashmal” (I call it just “dude”) has to be turned on at least 30 minutes prior to pulling open the shower curtain. The “dude” is a electric (usually) water heater.
Israel has a long way to go on environmental issues. But one area where we’re miles ahead here is in the use of solar power — at least for hot water. Most homes and apartments have a “dude shemesh” to heat water. This applies to 300-year-old villas and brand-new studio apartments. By law, all new homes have to have a dude shemesh. (Shemesh = sun in Hebrew.)
With early-morning sun unreliable during the winter months, its often easier to “top ‘n tail” at the sink or forgo bathing altogether before getting dressed. Today, however, we turned on the dude, so I’m looking forward to a steamy-hot shower … and there probably won’t be another one this week until Friday, before Shabbat.
I recently read that women who lived in the United States 100 years ago only washed their hair once a month. Just think how far we’ve progressed: I get to wash my hair twice a week — if I remember to turn on the dude!
Uncategorized | Stephen | 
February 12, 2006 2:13 am