Page 52 - HaMizrachi_Tu_Bishvat_2020_USA_HP_Neat

PLACES IN ISRAEL

Rabbi Barnea Levi Selavan

IT’S A DATE!

hen I was a child, every Tu Experts have now recreated the famed And while some laws kicked in only
BiShvat in Hillel Academy Afarsimon-balsam tree here, whose years later after we settled in, our
Wof Pittsburgh we each got a cosmetic products were worth more first obligations to keep the sanctity
little brown bag with a dried fruit and than their weight in gold. of the Land expressed in its produce
nut mix, with the words, “These are began here. The spies went up the
the fruits of Eretz Yisrael.” I thought The Jordan Valley is filled with hills behind Jericho, where the twin
Israel had no fresh fruit. The little extremely brave farmers living in Hasmonean-Herodian fortresses
black Johnny Bread or bokser (carob) challenging physical and political of Kypros and Dok stand, while the
piece always broke my teeth. Decades conditions. They are making the Land facing river bank and plain is where
later in Israel I bit into a sweet carob bloom with special products so you Moshe had to turn around and ascend
off the tree and instantly thought – can enjoy Israel’s special fruits fresh or Mount Nebo.
how could I have grown up with such preserved!
a terrible impression when this is so You can spend several days exploring A little further north is the Sartaba
heavenly! the Jordan Valley on Highway 90. signal-fire mountain, a triangular-
like domed cone, from which they
Today’s global market is challenging Local dates and other products – even announced Rosh Chodesh, the start
Israeli agriculture by offering fruits pineapples! – are in stores right off of the new month. Often “holes” near
and vegetables from countries with the road and in the various kibbutzim the top are visible from the road –
cheaper water and labor, so Israeli and moshavim. huge Hasmonean water cisterns under
farmers are constantly finding niches. the hilltop palace. A great hike for
White truffles in the Negev and the Brown signs mark tourist sites, which the hardy in cool weather – expect
world’s best black truffle in the Golan you will find along the length and a two-hour walk up to the ruins and
are in development; and sabra, jojoba breadth of the highway following the stunning views; 1 hour down – even
and argan oil products are for sale. Jordan River. Start north from Zemach children can do it.
The Mount of Olives is really the best Junction and drive south, or from
soil for olives. Israel is now home to Highway 1 turn north. Dates, figs and Look east to the Jabbok Passage
over 300 wineries, many of which grapes grow alongside the road, and between the Gilead Mountains, with
win international competitions and the brown signs invite you to enter the archaeological mounds rising in its
are highly ranked by the world’s best communities. You can also turn off alluvial fan plain – biblical Sukkot,
judges. We are recreating ancient to Mount Gilboa’s scenic route, and Adam and Zartan. Highway 57
species found in excavations, and into the springs, streams and fields of connects the plains east of the Jordan,
growing organic grapes packed the Jezreel and Bet Shean Valleys; the where Ya'akov stayed with his flocks
with nutrients. Pomegranates for breadbasket of Israel, where Gideon for 18 months, to Shechem, Mount
eating, medicine and cosmetics; an secretly winnowed his crops to hide Gerizim and Mount Eval – this is the
abundance of fig species with many precious grain from the marauding path Ya'akov Avinu took back into the
uses; the “mother” of emmer wheat Midianites invading frorn the desert Land.
was found preserved here, and a small to feed off the Land’s fertility.
Ella Valley patch makes high-quality Near the southern junction, take the The Jordan River Valley is oft-ignored
barley exported to Italy for pasta. Qasr al-Yahud turn east. In under by visitors and even by natives, and
used merely as a pass-through. Stop
Every part of the date benefits Man five minutes, after a checkpoint, you and take it in. Now in springtime
– in food, clothing, shelter, furniture will stand literally at the water’s edge, the sides of the road are dotted with
and more, and of course date honey of the Yarden, the Jordan River. This colorful flowers, which the summer
and silan syrup. Two cities are known whole area opposite Jericho, not this tourists never see. Enjoy the blessings
in our sources as the City of Dates – spot alone, was our crossing zone from of the Land and its special fruits!
Zoar on the Dead Sea’s southeast side the Plains of Moav into the Plains of Rabbi Barnea Levi Selavan is Co-Director
and Jericho on the northwest. This Jericho as the Jewish people entered of Foundation Stone, running educational
region’s microclimate is exactly the Israel 3,350 years ago. It was here we programs in Israel and overseas, and a
kind of agricultural niche Israel needs. accepted responsibility for each other. licensed archaeologist and tour guide
52 |