Day 3 – Waking in the Desert Sep 20
We awoke this morning in the desert, next to the Dead Sea. On one side, desert mountains, sand and brush, and on the other a sea full of salt and no life. To the unenlightened, not an encouraging place to start. But that’s exactly where G_d will surprise and please us.
Yes, today we venture into the Negev, to ultimately discover the commonality of a shade tree and a fortress. We begin our journey through the desert in Arad. Now just ruins, it is apparent to all that it once was a thriving community of Israelites. As we made our first walk, we came upon a tamarisk tree, and learned the story behind Abraham’s planting of a tamarisk tree in Genesis 21:33. The tamarisk was particularly unusual in that it was the only tree among the ruins. Because the tamarisk takes much, much longer to grow than other trees and will endure the hardship of the desert sun and wind, Abraham demonstrated his long-lasting covenant with G_d, and his desire that G_d’s blessing be bestowed on the generations that will follow him. We were inspired by our Rabbi to pray for the generations that will come after us, and all joined in a deeply earnest and purposeful prayer. Our walk through Arad took us through a lesson on G_d’s covenant with Abraham and us, and the dramatic manner in which G_d expresses His intent to keep his covenant with his people.
We then journeyed through many hills in the desert and came upon a community of Bedouins, living, it seems, out in the middle of the desert. There, we experienced the radical hospitality that we are called upon to mark our own faith walk. As we neared the community, we were met by about eight children, playing in the sand and rocks. Their eyes brightened as they saw us draw near. At first hesitant to come close, the warmth of several members in our group bridged the gap. The children gathered and gleamed at us. We were led to one of the houses, where the matriarch awaited us in a beautiful robe and scarf. A beautiful woman of about 60, she welcomed us into her home and we all sat. There, the females of the home gathered with the children. All dressed up in beautiful clothes, they served us warm tea and quickly began kneading and heating a thin bread for us. We all sat on mats and marveled at their warmth and hospitality. They sought nothing but to make us feel at home. And we did.
Giving our thanks, we left overwhelmed with their love. Our walk back to Arad was filled with awe and the teaching of the morning. After lunch, we traveled to a place much different. As we rounded around a bend, a massive mountain and structure stood before us. We had arrived on the western side of Masada. As we got off the bus, there was nowhere to look but up. The massive fortress stood strongly on top of a mountain with cliffs. As we climbed up to the top, we walked by the rampart built by the Romans and felt not only the physical power of this place, but an anxious wonder of what happened here. As we made it to the top, we began to discover the conflicting events that make this place so thought provoking. We learned of the filth and degradation of Herod. We learned of Israelites fleeing here for refuge. We learned of Romans using slaves for two years to build the rampart that would allow them access. We learned of the mass suicide of Israelites before the Romans could seize and kill them. And we grappled with what all of that means.
We ended our day walking down the east side of Masada, down the Snake trail. Beginning under the shade of a tamarisk tree, and ending with a 45 minute walk down from a fortress, our thoughts couldn’t help but be centered on the vibrant, exciting life that exists in G_d’s desert. It is no wonder G_d loves this place. After today, I am confident that each one of us loves it as well.
—Mike McCrum
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