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PLACES IN ISRAEL THE PEOPLE AND THE LAND

Michael Even-Esh

Meitzar

Keeping on the Strait and Narrow

ave you ever noticed that the between Israel’s King Achav, and He was an inspiring role model in his
Jewish people have a national King Ben-Hadad of Aram (Melachim own right, without needing imaginary
Hbout of claustrophobia? Our Aleph, 20). Later, around the time of stories to enhance his legacy!)
very existence, and our very Land, the Chashmonaim, there was a small The smaller ones are mostly almond
seem dangerously narrow to us. And fort here. In the 1950s, Syria built
for good reason… bunkers here, and in the early 1960s, trees. Yes, the classic tree of Tu BiSh-
vat – the only native tree in the coun-
Eli Cohen visited a Syrian army base
It’s even in our language! In Hebrew, try that’s blooming at this time of
troubles are referred to as tzarot – or nearby. In the Six-Day War, Syrian year! The almond (in Hebrew: shaked)
soldiers ran away as the IDF came by
“narrows.” A person who causes trou- helicopter to take the site. In 1968, is indeed the early bloomer, full of
ble is a “tzar,” like Haman for exam- Sergeant Avi Mizrachi was killed intense energy that propels it to “the
ple. Even the Czar was a “tzar”! top of its class.” Just like a Talmid
during an IDF ambush of infiltra-
The first time we meet this word is in tors from Syria on the eastern side of Chacham, one who takes learning
Egypt, Mitzrayim – “the straits.” And the Meitzar; his memorial stone still seriously and intensely (in Hebrew:
King David wrote in Tehillim: “I called stands. In the 1970s, after the Yom shakdan). As we read in the Talmud:
out to You from the narrow place, Kippur War, the IDF built an emer- “When Ben-Azzai died, there were
G-d; answer me from the wide-open gency fort that still commands the no more shakdanim” (Sota 49b). The
spaces, G-d.” entire Meitzar. In short, this has been word is still used in modern Hebrew
a strategic site for literally thousands for a studious learner.
Without having to go to Gibraltar, of years!
there are sites in Israel where you can When G-d wanted to show Yirmi-
feel the straits. In 1967, we controlled Recently, the Golan Regional Council yahu that Yerushalayim would be
the Straits of Tiran (and – for those built two lookouts here that allow vis- destroyed quickly and intensely, the
who remember – Arik Lavi’s song that itors to take in the great views. There prophet saw a vision of a staff from an
went with it). Near Modi’in, there’s are explanatory signs about the city almond tree (Yirmiyahu 1). Needless
the ascent of Ma’alot Bet Horon, of Susita (seen directly to the west, to say, Aharon’s staff, which bloomed
which in some places was so narrow, along with the Kinneret and Tiberias first (Bamidbar 17), was also from an
two camels couldn’t even pass each in the background), and “Breitat HaT- almond tree!
other (see Sanhedrin 32b; we still have echumin” (which mentions villages in It seems that the Meitzar has seen a
some paved roads like that in Israel). Eretz Yisrael – including this immedi- lot. Let us hope and pray that with the
If you really want to feel the squeeze, ate area – that observed the agricul- Golan in peaceful hands, these straits
visit the caves and tunnels from the tural mitzvot of the Land of Israel in will know more trees than battles. On
Bar Kochba Revolt. Talmudic times). your next trip to the Golan, stop here
But in my opinion, the best place to Since we’re celebrating Tu BiShvat, and enjoy the views and the trees. For
“feel the narrows” is in the southern how can we not mention the trees G-d has answered us in the wide-open
Golan Heights, at a site known simply on the Meitzar? Some “made aliyah” spaces…
as “The Meitzar.” It’s a short segment and were planted here, while others
of road with deep valleys on each side, are local and natural. The biggest are
and it offers gorgeous views in almost eucalyptus trees, which – although
all directions. A nearby Jewish village relatives of the hadas (myrtle) – orig-
inate mostly in Australia (and if you’re
and riverbed share the name. Michael Even-Esh is an outdoor educator,
already asking, then no, Eli Cohen did cave explorer and snake catcher. He and
Many researchers believe that the not suggest to the Syrians they plant his family live in Moshav Nov in the Golan
Meitzar is the site of the battle eucalyptus trees near their bunkers. Heights.

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