Last week, Stephie and I visited a very dear friend of mine who lives with her husband and two daughters in a beautiful neighbourhood in Bet Shemesh. We have known each other since we were teenagers, which, without giving away our respective ages, is indeed a long time.
They live on the edge of a large area of green belt land called Bet Jamal that leads up the hill to a monastery, and they told me that the land belongs to the Vatican. During a pleasant tea on their front lawn, we discussed hiking up the hill to a mysterious 'olive tree' that they wanted me to view.
Her husband and I proceeded to make our way through a field and then up the incline to our destination. As we approached the tree and as we were about to reach it, he asked me to close my eyes before we entered the clearing it occupied.
They live on the edge of a large area of green belt land called Bet Jamal that leads up the hill to a monastery, and they told me that the land belongs to the Vatican. During a pleasant tea on their front lawn, we discussed hiking up the hill to a mysterious 'olive tree' that they wanted me to view.
Her husband and I proceeded to make our way through a field and then up the incline to our destination. As we approached the tree and as we were about to reach it, he asked me to close my eyes before we entered the clearing it occupied.
I have to say that I was intrigued. What could be so special that required such a move? I dutifully complied and he then led me for a short distance until I was allowed to open my eyes. The sight that greeted me was quite overwhelming.
There, standing before my eyes was an olive tree that has been reckoned to be more than two thousand years old. It has a circumference of over 8 metres (25 feet) and twisted roots that snake around the tree deep into the ground below. It is truly a marvel to behold, as you can see from the pictures below. Words cannot describe its presence and form. It was simply breath-taking.
There, standing before my eyes was an olive tree that has been reckoned to be more than two thousand years old. It has a circumference of over 8 metres (25 feet) and twisted roots that snake around the tree deep into the ground below. It is truly a marvel to behold, as you can see from the pictures below. Words cannot describe its presence and form. It was simply breath-taking.
We both looked at the tree and marvelled at its form and age. How much has it seen in two millennia? Has it acted as a hideaway for our ancestors in a land that has seen so many conquerors? Has it survived a multitude of brush fires that threatened its very existence? We noticed that a fungus was growing on some of its bark yet, it was managing to heal itself.
My new hiking partner explained how he inspired he becomes each times he visits 'his tree' and how the people he shows it to react. You know when you are in the vicinity of greatness.
This tree was truly great.
My new hiking partner explained how he inspired he becomes each times he visits 'his tree' and how the people he shows it to react. You know when you are in the vicinity of greatness.
This tree was truly great.
I found it difficult to tear myself away from the spectacle and as we were descending the hill and looking at the beautiful vista which took in the different neighbourhoods of Bet Shemesh, we paused to daven Mincha in the shadow of the rapidly setting sun.
On our way back, he told me about his parents and how his mother had been a survivor of Bergen Belsen. I shared my own family history and when we reached the ladies at the house, I knew that his wife was also the daughter of a hidden child who had been saved in occupied France. In other words, the three of us were living, breathing examples of the second generation who had survived the Shoah.
This week saw both the first Yartzheit of my dear mother and Yom Hashoah, the day in our calendar when we remember those of our nation whose lives were stolen and those of their relatives were uprooted. Hundreds and thousands of years of history were wiped out in the blink of an eye. Millions of human trees were torn from their deep roots, never to be seen again.
And all the while, the olive tree stood stoicly and witnessed from afar the catastrophe that was taking place. Another incomprehensible event in the span of its gargantuan lifetime. Perhaps it cried tears by shedding its leaves. Perhaps it felt that the people it had seen leave its environment two thousand years ago would never return. Perhaps it just hoped to cling onto its own dear life by extending its roots even deeper into the shaky ground that had been its home for longer than the lifetime of any human being.
And all the while, the olive tree stood stoicly and witnessed from afar the catastrophe that was taking place. Another incomprehensible event in the span of its gargantuan lifetime. Perhaps it cried tears by shedding its leaves. Perhaps it felt that the people it had seen leave its environment two thousand years ago would never return. Perhaps it just hoped to cling onto its own dear life by extending its roots even deeper into the shaky ground that had been its home for longer than the lifetime of any human being.
Two thousand years after the people who might have planted it had perished, two of their descendents whose own families had been cut down returned to marvel at its resiliance and its refusal to be defeated.
The olive tree, whose outstretched roots allowed us to sit in its lap reminded us that it was one of us. There are many who would like to wrench our roots out of the the spiritual soil that has kept us alive since Avraham set up his tent in ancient Canaan.
However, his legacy, namely our people remain firmly entrenched and like that wizened old olive tree, we refuse to abide by their wishes.
The two thousand year old olive tree has another name.
We call it the Nation of Israel.
Shabbat Shalom.
The olive tree, whose outstretched roots allowed us to sit in its lap reminded us that it was one of us. There are many who would like to wrench our roots out of the the spiritual soil that has kept us alive since Avraham set up his tent in ancient Canaan.
However, his legacy, namely our people remain firmly entrenched and like that wizened old olive tree, we refuse to abide by their wishes.
The two thousand year old olive tree has another name.
We call it the Nation of Israel.
Shabbat Shalom.