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Meitzar Keeping on the Strait and Narrow

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Meitzar Keeping on the Strait and Narrow 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 He was an inspiring role model in his Jewish people have a national King Ben-Hadad of Aram (Melachim own right, without needing imaginary bout 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 H The smaller ones are mostly almond seem dangerously narrow to us. And fort here. In the 1950s, Syria built trees. Yes, the classic tree of Tu BiSh- for good reason… bunkers here, and in the early 1960s, 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 nearby. In the Six-Day War, Syrian troubles are referred to as tzarot – or 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”! during an IDF ambush of infiltra- top of its class.” Just like a Talmid 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 ate area – that observed the agricul- If you really want to feel the squeeze, Golan in peaceful hands, these straits tural mitzvot of the Land of Israel in visit the caves and tunnels from the will know more trees than battles. On Talmudic times). Bar Kochba Revolt. 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 on the Meitzar? Some “made aliyah” Golan Heights, at a site known simply spaces… 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- all directions. A nearby Jewish village 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. 38 | .
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