Page 24 - Holyland Magazine - 2025 Edition

centuries following the revolt against the
Romans. Many of the stories of Jesus’ life
and teachings took place in the Galilee,
whether at the Sea or in Nazareth, or
Tiberius – including, of course, the feeding
of thousands by the side of the Sea, as
related in John 6, and Peter walking on the
water (Matthew 14). I recall thinking, as I
trudged up the incline towards Nazareth
(after already climbing up, and stumbling
down, Mount Tabor), how I was striding
along the same path most probably tread
by Jesus.

The next day, after camping in the Tzipori Cows around my tent in Tzippori Forest
Forest (and after awaking in the midst of
dozens of cows outside my tent), I found
myself in Tzipori, the ancient metropolis of
Talmudic times, where the Sages and their
followers lived side by side with a dozen
different religious and national communities
in harmony, for centuries. There, I felt a
renewed connection with my people and
with our ancestral homeland.

I wrote in my journal that night, after viewing From Tzipori, I zigzagged and climbed up footstep in the Land of Israel is exceptional,
dozens of excavated houses, each with its and down hills moving west, towards the for Jew and Christian alike, as we appreciate,
own mikveh (ritual bath) that though they Mediterranean sea (more about that next and even re-live, the miraculous adventures
may not have practiced Judaism exactly as time), slept another night in a forest (no of our people.
we do today – almost certainly not – the cows this time, but a warm welcome from
fundamentals remain the same: shabbat, the Arab Christian children from the nearby I plan to hike the Shvil again, God-willing;
kashrut, family purity… and hospitality and village of Shibli who were working in the when you come to visit Israel, perhaps you’ll
tolerance. (There are many veiled references orchards, and much-appreciated help from a consider doing so as well. Whether it's for
that Jesus spent time in Tzipori; though local Bedouin and a JFN ranger), and ended a half-day or just a few hours, I can highly
there is no proof, it is highly probable, as it up at Kibbutz Hannaton. There, hosted by recommend it as one of the most moving
was the largest and most important city in my dear friends Jacob and Haviva Ner David, and uplifting activities you can do in the
the region then, and a multicultural, multi- we spent a peaceful, reflective Shabbat (and
ethnic crossroads of trade, politics, religion enjoyed some wonderful Cabernet from ✦Promised Land.
and philosophy.) Jacob’s winery, Jezreel Valley) – so fitting for
the serenity of the Galilee. Aryeh Green, author of My Israel Trail, is chief
This, and many other wonderful places and Across the Land and throughout the trek, I strategy officer at EnergiyaGlobal, a renewable
views, historical sites and people, made the was quite literally walking in the footsteps energy platform for Africa. He advised Natan
country come alive for me, in an unhurried pace of our ancestors, along the same routes they Sharansky in Israel’s Prime Minister’s Office and
which only walking makes possible. It sounds may have tread, or on similar footpaths to co-founded MediaCentral, a Jerusalem project
preposterous, but I stumbled across the tomb those of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Isaiah, providing services for foreign press in the region.
of Isaiah the Prophet in a forest north of Tzfat and, of course, Jesus. These experiences Contact: aryeh.green@gmail.com.
the previous week, humbly resting in a grove link us with our forebears and our religious
of trees and marked with a simple plaque. Yes: and cultural inheritance, and as such, every
THAT Isaiah, he of swords and plowshares.

24 l HOLY LAND