Page 52 - HaMizrachi #15 2019 Chanuka USA

PLACES IN ISRAEL

Dr. Hagi Amitzur

ARBEL

where redemption will start

f you ask any Mizrachi member The Mizrachi weekly magazine at the Book of Zerubavel,” the Arbel Valley is
which settlement was the first time – HaTor – praised these settlers described as the site of the War of Gog
IMizrachi settlement in Israel, on November 23, 1923: UMagog, a climactic battle that will
the answer you will probably precipitate the Final Redemption.
receive would be Kfar Pines or Kfar “...For about 20 years since the
Avraham. However, a careful check Mizrachi was founded we have Driving towards the Arbel Cliffs you
in the Mizrachi archives will reveal a waited for you and working hands will see a sign proclaiming: “The
different answer. like yours… for you will be the Ancient Synagogue of Arbel.” Visiting
first pioneers of the first Mizrachi the ruins you will notice that the
Driving on Route 77 eastwards will moshav… be strengthened, do not hold entrance to the structure is from the
lead you to Tiberias. As you descend up or be weak… look around you… east, and the main entrance is built
towards the Kinneret you will see a here is Tiberias before you, where the of one stone (a monolith) forming a
sign pointing to Arbel. Turning to Mishna was arranged, our Oral Law, central main entrance and two smaller
Route 7717 will take you to the Arbel and you have arisen and arranged you ones on both sides. This is just as
Valley. According to Chazal, this is lives in your new moshav according the prophet described: When the
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where the Geula (redemption) will to the words of the Torah… many Messiah comes, he will enter through
start. The Midrash describes Rabbi G-d be with you and strengthen your the eastern gate [of Jerusalem], and
Chiya and Rabbi Shimon ben Chalafta hands…” a late Midrash describes the main
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walking in the Arbel Valley and entrance and two smaller ones made
watching the sunrise – a symbolic sign They faced many problems – with the of one stone. The residents of ancient
of the redemption: Arabs, with the Jewish Agency and Arbel, who lived with the symbol and
among themselves, and eventually, by idea that the Redemption and the
“Rabbi Chiya and Rabbi Shimon Ben the end of 1931, they abandoned ship. Messiah will come from here, built
Chalafta were walking in the valley of Some remains of the first houses can their synagogue according to the
Arbel and saw the light of daybreak. still be seen today in the moshav –now description in the Midrash.
Rabbi Chiya said to Rabbi Shimon Ben non-religious – rebuilt in 1936.
Chalafta: thus will be the redemption Traveling in this area today we can
of Israel- at the beginning, slowly, If we continue west, we will reach see hints of the Geula in its blooming
slowly, and as it goes it will develop Arbel. Arbel was already a Jewish orchards, trees and flourishing
and grow.” settlement during the First Temple agriculture, based on the prophecy
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period. It was destroyed and rebuilt of the signs of redemption: “But you,
The Arbel Valley was excellent for over and over again. Arbel became mountains of Israel, will produce
agriculture and described as a place a symbol for hope, and the basis for branches and fruit for my people
where you will reap six times the the saying of Nitai the Arbelite, Head Israel, for they will soon come home.”
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amount of grains that you put in the of the Sanhedrin in the 2nd century
ground. BCE (the time of the Chashmonaim):
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“Do not give up when destruction falls 1 Talmud Yerushalmi, Berachot 1:1.
In this valley today, we have three upon you.” From Arbel’s history he
Jewish settlements (moshavim) that knew very well that destruction is not 2 Talmud Yerushalmi, Pe’ah 87:3.
bear the same names as their ancient the end, and hope for redemption and 3 Zechariah 14.4.
predecessors – Kfar Chittim, Arbel rebuilding is just around the corner. 4 Midrash Zuta, Shir HaShirim 2, Psikat
DeRav Kahana 18.
and Kfar Zeitim. 95 years ago, in the
month of Kislev, a group of 15 young The symbolism of Arbel is also 5 Ezekiel 36:8.
families – representing the Mizrachi behind Rabbi Eliezer HaKalir’s words Dr. Hagi Amitzur PhD is a lecturer and
researcher focusing on the rural Galilee
Organization – settled Kfar Chittim. describing the Messiah arriving in and it’s correlation with Rabbinic sources,
One month later another 25 families the month of Nissan in the Arbel archaeology and daily life in the Mishnaic
joined them. Valley. In the 7th century, in “The and Talmudic period

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