Page 18 - Holyland Magazine - 2023 Edition

Tel Hazor. Photo: Hagay Dvir.
On right: Meet the Ranger activity in
the hidden section of Enot Tzukim
Nature Reserve.
Photo: Shiran Ben Yaacov

The floating walkway over the wetland, En Afek
Nature Reserve. Photo: Manu Grinspan

cities – the Decapolis – where Jesus healed to clear it will help you appreciate the farming terraces – exactly as described in
and preached (Matt. 4:25). When you “touch determination of the ancients to protect their Isaiah 5. A few hours of your work here will
time” in Bet She'an, you’ll help conserve a city. help restore these terraces so they can serve
wall that bridges the Roman and Byzantine as witnesses to the biblical landscape.
periods. Amud Stream
Here you’ll help save the ancient aqueduct Meet the Ranger
Avdat National Park that channeled spring water to flour mills, while The Israel Nature and Parks Authority’s rangers
The desert and spiritual life are closely the 20-minute walk to the site will enrich your are admired the world over for their pioneering
entwined in Scripture. Surrounded by the imagination of Jesus teaching, and walking work in conservation and in rewilding biblical
evocative landscape of the Negev, “Touching the land with the disciples. You’ll also help species.
Time” in Avdat means helping conserve unique save an endangered species that inhabits the
elements of the Roman army camp, whose aqueduct – the Near Eastern fire salamander. Enot Tsukim Nature Reserve
once-mighty empire gave way to Christianity, According to St. Augustine, it could live in fire Enot Tsukim is the perfect addition to your
evident in Avdat with its ancient churches. and not burn – proof of the existence of Hell. Dead Sea touring day, an oasis at the foot of
stark desert cliffs. Your ranger will take you on
Volunteering for Nature Mount Carmel National Park a private tour of the “hidden reserve” usually
God’s commandment in Genesis to care Elijah bested the prophets of Baal by bringing closed to visitors to protect its fragile flora and
for the earth, Psalm 104’s catalog of God’s down fire from heaven on Mount Carmel (1 fauna. Not only will you learn firsthand about
creatures, and the desire to preserve sites for Kings 18). This forest of pines, carobs, cypress, the valuable work of the INPA rangers, but
future generations, are the inspiration for this and old-growth oaks literally brings the Bible to you’ll also deepen your understanding of the
program. life. Join the efforts to do so by helping build intersection of water, plants, and desert as a
and maintain nature trails. key biblical symbol of salvation.
Hazor National Park
At Hazor you can see what might be evidence Haniya Spring En Afek Nature Reserve
of the great fire with which Joshua burned the The ancient Haniya Spring, where Philip “Even the storks know the time of their
city (Josh. 11:10). The remarkable Israelite- baptized the Ethiopian eunuch, is back on migration...” (Jer. 8:7). And so will you, as you
period water system is sorely in need of your pilgrims’ itineraries: After years of labor, the participate in the banding project that helps
attention. Since its discovery, this deep shaft Roman-era fountain has been excavated and monitor and protect some of the millions of
has been filled with sediment. Volunteering restored. Surrounding the fountain are ancient birds that land in En Afek, in the land of Asher,

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