These 40 Facts Expose What Life’s Really Like In Israel

Everyday life in Israel has influences from nations around the world. Superficially, it might seem quite Western in its ways. But get to know the country a little better, and you’ll soon discover that it has its own very distinctive characteristics and customs. Read on to find out what makes Israel – and Israelis – tick…

40. Never order a cheeseburger at a kosher eatery

Actually, the chances of a properly kosher restaurant having a cheeseburger on its menu are pretty much zero. Because any eateries advertising itself as kosher should keep to various rules for food preparation which observant Jews follow. One stipulation is that meat and dairy shouldn’t be mixed in the same dish. Hamburger equals meat. Cheese equals dairy. So a cheeseburger is a complete no-no.

39. Both sexes must do National Service

Here’s a quote from the Israeli Defense Forces website, “The State of Israel requires every Israeli citizen over the age of 18 who is Jewish, Druze or Circassian to serve in the Israel Defense Forces.” There are some exemptions to this blanket rule. But being female is not one of them. Compulsory military service in Israel is an equal opportunity affair. 

38. So many museums

According to the Consulate General of Israel in Los Angeles, the nation hosts more than 200 museums. What that means, apparently, is that Israel has more museums per head of population than any other country in the world. And who are we to argue with the consular officials?

37. Tipping in restaurants

Israeli waiting staff generally expect a tip of 12 percent on top of your bill, since gratuities are their main income-source. And according to Lion Kantor writing on the Culture Trip website in 2017 if you don’t tip, staff may follow you as you leave the restaurant to demand an explanation. Yikes!

36. Late-night wedding parties

Israelis love a party and what better occasion to have one than a wedding? At an Israeli wedding the fun starts after the glass-breaking ceremony at the end of the actual marriage formalities. The groom stamps on a glass – smashing it is said to bring good fortune. Then the party, including the wedding feast, music and dancing, gets under way. Don’t expect to get home early. Celebrations often continue deep into the wee small hours.

35. Watch your proximity

For Israeli women who adhere to the strict Orthodox version of the Jewish faith, personal space is extremely important. In fact, men should avoid all physical contact with Orthodox women. Failing to do so can cause grievous offense. So don’t take umbrage if, for example, someone prefers not to sit next to you on public transit.

34. Never jaywalk

British people, the naughty scoff-laws, habitually cross the street against the lights and wherever they feel like it. Americans are more observant of jay-walking regulations. But in Israel, most people are absolute sticklers for following the law to the letter. Jaywalking is definitely illegal there and traffic cops can land you with an on-the-spot fine if they catch you transgressing.

33. Armed soldiers are everywhere

There’s nothing unusual about seeing soldiers in uniform in most countries. Still, many people would raise an eyebrow if they saw a soldier packing an automatic weapon on the street. But thanks to almost universal compulsory military service, Israelis are much more relaxed about this. Seeing fully armed soldiers strolling along is not unusual and nothing to be alarmed by.

32. Don’t drive on Yom Kippur

Yom Kippur is the most sacred of Jewish holy days. It falls on a day in September or October as determined by the lunar cycle. But even if it falls on a weekday it is strictly observed by the vast majority of Israeli Jews. You’ll notice that the streets are empty and scarcely anyone drives. Even if you’re not a Jew, when in Israel you should respect this day.

31. Missed the bus? Hitch!

Hitchhiking has become increasingly rare – and in some states even banned – in the U.S. which is kind of sad. But in Israel it’s widely accepted as a perfectly legitimate and generally safe way to get around. There’s even a Hebrew word for hitchhiking, tremping. Of course, if you do hitch a lift, you should exercise a sensible level of caution as you would anywhere in the world. And a sign written in Hebrew is likely to be a big help.

30. Breakfasts are big

If you’re used to eating a light breakfast – perhaps a piece of fruit with low-fat yoghurt and a skinny latte – you’ll be in for a shock if you visit Israel. For most Israelis, breakfast is a substantial meal. Expect a generous spread including pastries, breads, hummus and other dips. These might be accompanied by a breakfast favorite, shakshuka. That’s poached eggs served in a spicy tomato sauce. Delicious.

29. Everything stops on Memorial Day

Memorial Day, Yom HaZikaron in Hebrew, is when Israelis commemorate those who have lost their lives while serving in the armed forces. On that solemn day, you’ll hear a siren sounding throughout the nation for one minute in the morning. At that point, everything in the country comes to a standstill. Visitors should respect this by stopping whatever they’re doing.

28. No tax in Eilat!

Many things you buy in Israel come with something called Value Added Tax (VAT) which is simply another term for Purchase Tax. And throughout the country, it’s a hefty 17 percent. But if you visit Israel’s prime beachside resort of Eilat on the Red Sea, you’ll be in for a pleasant surprise. VAT there is a big fat zero. 

27. Music-lovers’ paradise

If you enjoy a choice concerto by Brahms, a soaring symphony by Beethoven or some elegant Bach chamber music you should make a bee-line for Israel. For that country has more classical orchestras per head than any other in the world. You’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to picking a musical treat. 

26. Braille banknotes

Look at your banknotes and you’ll soon see whether you’re holding a five, ten or 20 dollar denomination. But what if your sight is not as strong as it might be? If you’re in Israel, that’s not a problem. For the currency there has Braille embossed on it. That lets people with sight problems easily keep track of their shekels.

25. Share and share alike

Sharing everything might not be everyone’s idea of Heaven, but for some Israelis it’s the ideal lifestyle. The kibbutz is the ideal way to fulfill a desire for a life lived communally. These communities are usually based around a farm. Everyone who lives there shares in the labor and the produce. People work together, eat together and share almost everything. 

24. So many dogs

According to website The Times of Israel the city of Tel Aviv has an astonishing number of dogs. In hard numbers, the city has 413,000 people and about 30,000 hounds. Break that down and there are around 14 people for every individual dog, one of the highest levels of canine ownership in the world. To accommodate all those pooches, Tel Aviv has four dog beaches and 70 parks for canines.

23. Gay-friendly country

It has to be said that there are places in the Middle East where being openly gay is highly inadvisable, indeed illegal. But Israel is different – same-sex relationships are fully accepted by most people, and by the law. And there’s firm evidence for the acceptance of gay people in the country. The BBC pointed out in 2020 that Israel “has a record number of openly gay MPs and last year appointed its first openly gay minister.”

22. Shabbat

Christians, of course, are used to observing the Sabbath on Sundays. But things are different in the largely Jewish nation of Israel. There Shabbat, as it’s called in Hebrew, starts from sundown on Friday and lasts until nightfall on Saturday, some 25 hours. Particularly in Jerusalem but also in other parts of the country, many shops and restaurants are closed on Shabbat while public transit shuts down altogether.

21. Dressing for the neighborhood

In much of Israel, everyday dress is a relaxed affair. It’s a hot country and shorts and T-shirts are acceptable in most places. But not everywhere. In areas where large numbers of Orthodox Jews live, dress codes are strict. When in such a neighborhood, you should avoid exposing too much skin out of respect for local custom.

20. Pork: forbidden in theory

Jewish dietary rules have no place for bacon, pork chops or ham. In fact anything to do with the pig is strictly forbidden. Or at least that’s the theory. But a 2017 article in The Times of Israel notes that, “Pigs are bred, slaughtered and processed in Israel, and Israelis by the thousands consume pork products voraciously.” Even so, most Israeli Jews, and Muslims too, avoid porcine products of any kind.

19. Purim

Purim, or the Festival of Lots, is an annual event in the Jewish calendar. And when it’s Purim, although it’s certainly a holy festival, it’s also party time. Israelis take the opportunity to throw riotous celebrations and to show off flamboyant fancy dress of all kinds. People also mark Purim by making gifts to charities that help the less well-off.

18. A plethora of parties

In the U.S. smaller political groups do exist, but on the whole at a national level there’s a fairly rigid two-party system. But there’s nothing so simple as that in Israel. In fact, dozens of parties contest general elections. At the national poll in March 2021 no fewer than 37 parties were competing for the votes of Israeli citizens. 

17. Multilingual road signs

Israel is a thoroughly polyglot country where you’ll hear many languages spoken. That multilingualism is reflected in many aspects of daily life – including even road signs. In general, directional signs are written in the three languages: Hebrew, Arabic and English. That way, nobody gets lost no matter which language they favor.

16. Huts that disappear

Every year, observant Jews build wooden structures. Then after a short time they dismantle them. What’s that all about? Actually, it’s part of a religious festival called Sukkot that’s marked five days after Yom Kippur. The flimsy buildings symbolize Jewish dwellings during the 40-year spell in the desert after flight from Egypt in biblical times. Seven days after the huts go up, they’re pulled down.

15. Renewable energy

Of course, solar power is nothing new and it’s used to heat water and generate electricity in many parts of the world. But with its Middle-Eastern position, Israel gets many hours of dependable sunlight throughout the year. That means solar panels are a highly efficient – and non-polluting – method of generating power. According to website Popular Everything, an amazing 90 percent of Israeli households heat their water via solar power.

14. Chess

Hit Netflix show Queen’s Gambit has created a massive amount of interest in that most cerebral of pastimes, chess. If you’ve been bitten by the chess bug, then you’d fit right in over in Israel. Because one city there, Beer Sheva, has more chess grandmasters per head of population than any other place on the planet. 

13. Sold and repurchased bread

Why would you sell all of your bread to an Arab only to buy it back a week later? In fact, it’s all to do with the Jewish festival of Passover. According to strict religious observance, Jews should not own any foodstuff that contains fermented grains. So it’s not just bread – it includes everything from cakes to beer. The Israeli government takes this requirement very seriously. So every year it sells its stock of forbidden foods to an Israeli resident named Hussein Jabar, who happens to be a Muslim Arab. Then it buys it all back.

12. An immigrant nation

In 2020 more than a fifth of Jews living in Israel were not born in the country. Of course, since its founding in 1948 the state of Israel has welcomed Jewish immigrants from all over the world. The right for Jews to move to Israel is embodied in the nation’s laws. Some 3.3 million people have made Israel their home in the last 70 years or so. 

11. Birds galore

If you’re a keen birdwatcher, pack your binoculars and make your way to Israel. Because of its geographical position, the country’s skies host one of the world’s busiest avian migration routes. A staggering 500 million or so birds cross Israeli territory twice every year. They’re flying to and from Africa, where they winter, to Europe and Asia where they nest.

10. Careful with that camera

If you’re a keen snapper you’ll be fine in Israel – as long as you follow a few basic rules. First of all, don’t take photos of military establishments or security personnel. That will make you look thoroughly suspect. Secondly, show respect for local people. Devout Muslims and Orthodox Jews may not want to be photographed. So put the camera away when you’re in their neighborhoods.

9. Cycling rules

Cycling in Israel can be a great way to experience the countryside, and there is a good network of dedicated cycle trails to explore. But there are a few laws that you need to obey – flouting them will hit you in the wallet. You can wear one earbud while cycling. Wear two, and you might get an on-the-spot fine. You can also be fined for using a cell phone while riding. 

8. Hardcore coffee habits

For some Israelis the only coffee worth drinking is cafe shahor, sometimes known as Turkish coffee. It’s black and it’s intense. To get it to the required strength some heat the coffee to boiling seven times. So watch out when you drink this potent brew.

7. The madness of Matkot

Never heard of Matkot? Neither had we. But in Israel it’s a highly popular game, often played on the beach. It scarcely has any rules as such. You need two players, each equipped with a bat like the ones used in table tennis. The only other equipment needed is a rubber ball. No net, no marked court, no formal scoring. Just hit the ball backwards and forwards. There are currently no plans to make this an Olympic sport.

6. Candor about money

For people of many nations, money can be a tricky topic. In parts of the world, etiquette demands that you don’t ask direct questions such as, “How much do you earn?” But for at least some Israelis, mortgages, pay and debt are simply the stuff of unembarrassed everyday conversation, even with strangers. So don’t be offended by financial candor.

5. How to hail a bus

Sounds kind of silly, an instructional on how to hail a bus. But it is the case that Israelis have a range of hand signals which might well be unfamiliar to outsiders. Hailing a bus is a case in point. Don’t wave your arm in the air. The driver will think you’re just being friendly. Instead, face the bus as it approaches and point a finger downwards. That way, you won’t miss your bus. 

4. No casinos allowed

If your idea of heaven is a weekend in Las Vegas ridding yourself of some of your hard-earned cash at the tables, Israel will disappoint. For in that country gambling is almost entirely banned. There are two exceptions only, the national lottery and betting on sports. But there’s no getting away from it: Israel is a land bereft of casinos.

3. Mezuzah

When you visit someone’s house in Israel you might notice something unusual about their doorways. In some homes you’ll see small cases mounted on the door jambs, set at an angle. These are actually mezuzahs. Inside the container, which can be wooden, metal or plastic, is a scrap of paper inscribed with particular biblical texts from Deuteronomy.  The mezuzah is supposed to remind people that the home is a special, even holy, place.

2. Start-up nation

Israelis have a well-earned reputation for being enthusiastic entrepreneurs. By one account the nation has more start-up companies per head of population than any other country. According to the website Cultural Atlas, for every 1,400 Israelis there is one nascent company. That’s a lot of aspiring business people: let’s hope they don’t lose their shirts.

1. When to say grace

Practicing Christians sit down to dinner and recite a prayer of thanks before they start their meal, but Israeli Jews tend to do it differently. Although they tuck into their food without so much as a by-your-leave, once finished, they give thanks to the Lord. That comes in the form of a prayer called the Birkat HaMazon.