Page 38 - HaMizrachi #26 Tu Bishvat USA 2021

THE PEOPLE AND THE LAND PLACES IN ISRAEL

Michael Even-Esh

Meitzar

Keeping on the Strait and Narrow

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

But in my opinion, the best place to how can we not mention the trees G-d has answered us in the wide-open
spaces…
“feel the narrows” is in the southern on the Meitzar? Some “made aliyah”
Golan Heights, at a site known simply and were planted here, while others
as “The Meitzar.” It’s a short segment are local and natural. The biggest are
of road with deep valleys on each side, eucalyptus trees, which – although
and it offers gorgeous views in almost relatives of the hadas (myrtle) – orig-
inate mostly in Australia (and if you’re
all directions. A nearby Jewish village already asking, then no, Eli Cohen did
and riverbed share the name. Michael Even-Esh is an outdoor educator,
not suggest to the Syrians they plant cave explorer and snake catcher. He and
Many researchers believe that the eucalyptus trees near their bunkers. his family live in Moshav Nov in the Golan
Meitzar is the site of the battle He was an inspiring role model in his Heights.

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