 Adar in Gush Etzion
 (הצג)
 
When Adar arrives we increase our joy!
(Talmud- Taanit 29a)
When Adar arrives, the plants start to bloom
(by the Kefar Etzion Field School)
Lupine flowers
Taken From Shabbat Beshabato prtion of the week, Mishpatim The Zomet Institute in Alon Shvut
www.zomet.org.il
From the Talmud
'When Adar arrives, we increase our joy` [Taanit 29a]. This month is mentioned in the Tanach, in the Megillah: ``The twelfth month, which is the month of Adar`` [Esther 3:7]. As is true for most of the other months, the source of the name seems to be Babylonian. Evidently it was brought to Eretz Yisrael by those who returned to Zion. The root of the word is the Aramaic word ``Idro.`` Some people translate this to mean a granary, since this is the time when the granaries are being pre is that Adar means gloomy and cloudy. This would correspond to the fact that it is the end of the winter, the last moments before the coming of the spring. A third opinion is that the word is related to glory, since in this month nature can be seen in all its splendor – the fields are green and the flowers are in bloom.
Nature
When winter is nearing its end and spring is in the air, and when it is so beautiful outside, the best thing we can do is to follow the path of the blooming flowers in a place such as ``Givat HaTurmusim.``
The hill is named for its outstanding blooms of the lupine plant. This blooms once a year, and it reaches a height of 25-40 cm. The deep blue color of the flowers can be seen from a distance, and it is topped by a patch of white which turns pink at the peak of the blossoming.
This plant was well known to the sages. They note its bitter taste, as compared to other legumes, especially beans: ``... dry lupine, since it is a food for paupers`` [Shabbat 18a]. The seeds are poisonous, and it must be cooked several times in order to remove the poison. This explains why it is considered food only for poor people.
Jewish History
On the maps, the hill is called ``Tel Shuchoh`` – it is identified as the city Shuchoh in the area of Yehuda, which is familiar to us from the fight between David and Goliat. ``And the Philistines gathered in their camps... And they camped between Shuchoh and Azeika`` [Shmuel I 17:1]. Later, during the time of the First Temple, it was the site of an important administrative center of the Kingdom of Yehuda.
Take a trip
How do we get to the site? descend from Gush Etzion on Route 367, towards the Etziona Junction, turn west on Route 375, and after about 3 km, a small distance after reaching the Adulam Junction, turn south to a jeep trail marked in black.
Park the car and continue on foot to the south for about 2 km, until a crossroad, with a foot path marked north following a blue trail,
continue about 200 meters west to finish the hike.
Written by: Yedidya Cheifetz
Contact: Kefar Etzion Field School, 02-9935133
www.k-etzion.co.il
Almond Blossom (shaked)
Gush Etzion History
Major events of this heroic period
November 29-30, 1947
Rejoicing in Gush Etzion over the U.N. decision to establish a Jewish State.
December 3, 1947
News of Arab attack on the Jerusalem commercial centre. Gush Etzion warned of the possibility of an attack.
December 11, 1947 (Hanukka)
A convoy of four vehicles is attacked on its way back to Gush Etzion. Ten members are killed in the battle which ensued. The siege begins.
Funeral of the convoy at Kfar Etzion
January 5, 1948
Mothers and children are transferred to Jerusalem with the aid of a British military escort.
Children in Kfar Etzion before evacuation
January 13, 1948
A convoy is attacked on its way to Jerusalem and two more losses are recorded.
Egged bus service toGush Etzion
January 14, 1948
First major attack on Gush Etzion. Hundred of local Arabs are driven off. Many Arab casualties. Three Jewish losses. A great victory for Gush Etzion.
January 16, 1948
A detachment of 35 (Lamed Hey) men is detected while attempting to bring supplies by foot to a besieged Gush Etzion. All 35 fall in battle.
February 8, 1948
First plane lands on an airstrip which is intended to bring some relief to the besieged defenders.
all historical pictures taken from Kfar Etzion memorial archives
www.etzion-bloc.org.il
Update On Tiferet
Tiferet has now completed one of two operations. She will be returning to Israel in the next few weeks. After her rehabillitation the Drs. will decide when she is to have the next surgery. Again we thank everyone who has supported this campaign, we will continue to keep you informed.
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