Page 49 - HaMizrachi Tisha B'av 5782 USA

Once he reached the water, Yirmiyahu took his linen
belt and placed it beneath a rock in the stream. It’s easy
to imagine what this belt looked like when Yirmiyahu
returned “many days” later. After being pummeled by the
current of the stream, nibbled by fish, and worn thin by
tough rock, the linen belt would have disintegrated into
bits by the time of his return.
As Hashem explained to Yirmiyahu, the belt represented
the people of Israel. Although the nation once served as
G-d’s belt of splendor and glory, their sins would lead to
their national disintegration, a painful fate for a formerly
glorious people.

Rich with history and beauty
The history of Nachal Prat doesn’t end with Yirmiyahu.
Generations later, after the Jewish people returned from
the Babylonian exile to the Holy Land, the Maccabim
fought their fourth battle against the Greeks near Nachal
Prat. Following the battle, the Maccabim escaped into the
recesses of Nachal Prat to hide from their enemies. With
its caves and crevices and a constant fresh water supply,
Nachal Prat was the perfect place for them to hide.
Later in history, after the Jewish people were once again
exiled from the Land, Christian monks gravitated to
Nachal Prat. The famous monk Haritoun, who later built
a monastery in Nachal Tekoa near Jerusalem, built his
first monastery along Nachal Prat – the perfect place to
experience silence in nature and commune with G-d. The
fresh water, plentiful figs and almonds, and caves that
could be used for shelter made it even more appealing.

Visiting Nachal Prat today
The Ein Prat Nature Reserve is one of the most beautiful
natural sites in the Jerusalem area. Appropriate for both
low-key outings and serious hikes, it boasts a 20 kilometer
path that leads from one side of the reserve to the other,
alongside a crystal-clear stream.
In the summertime, cool water and shade offer a wel-
come escape from the Mediterranean heat. There are
swimming and wading spots, jumping pools and water-
falls, and you can see many fish, birds, frogs, and other
animals that gravitate towards this desert oasis.
Rich in biblical history, a trip to Nachal Prat is more than
just a beautiful day out in nature. The Ein Prat Nature
Reserve serves as a window into our past, the Tanach, and
the lives of our forefathers.
Susannah Schild was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana,
lives in Gush Etzion, and is the founder of hikingintheholyland.com,
an inspiring guide for all who enjoy hiking in Israel.

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