Hi everyone! Welcome back! I spoke before a little about myself, but I want to take this time to talk about why this tiny country, the size of New Jersey, is so important. I mean after all we are always hearing about it in the News. Really, why should I care? Everyone seems so connected to it in some way, and it is so easy to get caught up in everything we hear.
Really, why should I care?
So let’s start with why it is important religiously. In Judaism, the land of Israel is the holiest in the world, and Jerusalem, the holiest city. What is called the Temple Mount is believed to be where the Patriarch Abraham almost sacrificed his son Isaac. It is also believed to be the center of the world. On this spot the First Temple of King Solomon was built, as was the Second Temple (therefore the name Temple Mount). Jerusalem was made the capital of the unified Jewish Kingdom by King David. For all these reasons Jerusalem became the holiest city in Judaism. Throughout history Judaism was further developed in Israel, making it the holiest place in the world.
It is also the holiest land for Christianity. It was the homeland of Jesus Christ, the son of god. He was born in Bethlehem, grew up and began his primacy in northern Israel, and was crucified in Jerusalem. Throughout his life he visited the Second Temple often. After Jesus ascent into heaven, Jesus’ followers further developed the religion here. And in Islam, Muhammad the prophet came to the Temple Mound to ascend to heaven and talk to Allah. This makes Jerusalem the third holiest site in Islam (third to Mecca and Medina).
So we can see how important place this area is for religions. And when it comes to religions we HAVE to remember how close it is many of ours hearts.
Really, Why Should I Care?
History…. Israel is FULL of history. Events from almost every time period unfolded here in Israel. In fact, Israel’s history is so packed with events, we can even divide it into its own timeline. And what’s amazing in modern Israel is that we have the archeology to prove it. We have the City of David, from the time of King David (!!) to the Aharonsohn House from World War I, to Independence Hall, where David Ben Gurion declared the modern State of Israel independent! And of course with history comes the history books. Think back to your High School history classes. How much of what you learned had something to do the Israel and the Middle East. The teacher may not have explained as much, but the answer is A LOT.
Really, Why Should I Care?
Speaking of books, that reminds me of culture. People have developed literature, music, dance, arts, theatre, language and so much more here. Israel has a very special culture. Israelis are constantly reading, writing, singing, dancing. And that comes from an ancient cultural practice that flourished here. Language is an important point here. So many people have crossed through and visited Israel. How can we all communicate? Sometimes the best way to do so is through these cultural aspects. And what really gets people talking to one another? FOOD! The agriculture in this land is something just as ancient as the history. Wheat is one of the oldest crops here. As a basic and primary ingredient of bread, a lot of ‘breaking bread’ has taken place in this tiny sliver of a country.
Really, Why Should I Care?
Now geology. Think about where Israel is located; a little difficult hard to picture it?
It is at the intersection of 3 continents! You cannot get from Africa to Asia by land without crossing Israel, and you cannot get from Africa to Europe by land without crossing Israel. This alone made Israel incredibly important throughout history because people needed to get from one place to another. They needed food, warmer or colder weather, etc. and they didn’t always have planes and cruises. People had to walk, and walk through Israel they did. It is so easy to see the remains of that travel throughout time here in the country; it’s almost everywhere you turn!
Really, Why Should I Care
Economy: Yep, we have that too. Think about it. Israel is the western gateway into the Middle East. What do we have in the Middle East? Oil! As soon as oil became important for travel and industry, almost the entire world’s focus came to this relatively small area. But oil isn’t the only resource of the Middle East. Myrrh and Francensence, the spices used in the Jewish Temples originally came from Yemen. The people who grew these spices, Nabateans, would travel throughout the Middle East in order to trade the spices, including the ports of Israel’s shore. Why have camels been used in the Middle East for so long? They can walk long distances with heavy loads on their backs without stopping for drinking water.
Really, Why Should I Care?
Israel is also important in the world of nature. Many flowers, trees, and other flora call this land home, as do animals of all sorts. Israel is the southernmost place for some flora, while northernmost home for others! Millions of birds fly across Israeli skies for the summers and winters. It is a common resting spot for these birds along their long trips. We can see them resting in the Hula Reserve, Eilat, and even next to the Israeli Parliament Building!
So you see, when you put religious holiness in a geographical, natural, and economic intersection with a hint of historical significance all in a 21,640 square kilometers (8355.3 square miles), you’re going to make some headlines. But I’ll tell you something else. While I hope it makes a little bit more sense why we’re also hearing about Israel on CNN, NBC, CBS, etc. etc., that’s not what it’s really all about.
What it’s really about is the amazing, jaw- dropping feeling you get when you are standing in front of the last standing remains of the Second Temple from 2,000 years ago, or when you’re standing at the spot where Jesus was crucified, or watching thousands of birds take off in the early morning to continue their journey at the change of the season. It’s about waking up in the morning and being part of a community that truly cares for your well being and happiness.
Conclusion
What should be the headlines concerning Israel are how native Israelis help make tourists feel at home and never lost, how exciting it is to shop in the open air markets on Friday before they close for Shabbat (the Jewish day of rest), how wonderful it is to live in this holy, historical, economic, beautiful country. Wouldn’t those be wonderful headlines to read?
