Negev Musings

Almost immediately, when one turns south on Rt. 6 at the Sorek junction, the horizon opens up.  Endless fields and orchards dotted by small agricultural towns fill the basin between the foothills to the east and the towers of the buildings of the coastal cities to the west.  During the time of the wheat crop, blankets of yellow spread out in all directions.  At other times, the red-brown of fertile soil reminds one that although the ground is exposed, it has potential for growth and bounty.  White and brown garments hide orchards bursting with fruit.  Neat rows of vines, intoxicating the imagination of what can be in a place where you need man’s vision to cooperate with God’s gifts – soil, rain, sun.

As we head to Kama junction, there are large trees planted on both sides of the road.  They block the view of the unfettered nothingness – the rolling fields which stretch even more vastly here on both sides of the road.  They protect the fields from the pollution of the cars, I suspect.  Or perhaps it is us they protect on our self-centered journey along this road; they protect us from the vastness and the realization that it is us on this highway who are the insignificant intruders on the landscape.

Nearby sites:

• Pura nature reserve – especially during February when the flowers are blooming.
• Lakia Bedouin handcrafters
• Tel Tzafit – remains of Philistine city of Gath
• Ruchama – first Jewish settlement in the Negev