Martin H. van den Bergh

On a short holiday in Eilat last week, we visited the Bird Sanctuary near the city’s salt fields. It shelters local birds and migrants flying thousands of miles north and south, reflecting Israel’s commitment to conservation and making the land bloom again. Israel also uses its technological expertise to support environmental projects at home and abroad. At the end of the trail, we encountered an ecology seminar for students from around the world—a reminder of how Israel shares its knowledge to help other nations care for their land and environment.

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Judaism calls us to cherish the land, especially the Land of Israel. Isaac’s blessing to Jacob conveys this: “God endow you with dew of heaven, the cream of the land, much grain and wine.” When sending Jacob to Lavan in Padam Aram, he renews the blessing: “May He grant Abraham’s blessing to you and your descendants, that you may possess the land where you live as a stranger, which God gave to Abraham.” Rabbi Sacks explains what makes this land exceptional: “It will be a land where Jacob’s descendants will create a society based on the covenant of law and love.” Jacob’s love of the land went hand in hand with learning: as a Yoshev Ohalim, he sat and studied. His descendants have continued to combine learning with working the land to this day.

 

Despite the challenges and false accusations which we face, Israel strives to honour God’s blessings to our patriarchs by cherishing the land we inhabit. Protecting birds on their migration through Israel and sharing our knowledge with other nations is a part of that commitment.