By Vardah Littmann
What a surprise right in the centre of Jerusalem-- a hidden gem
of a hillock almost undisturbed by the passing of time. This patch of
undeveloped land in urban Jerusalem was left
intact despite the fact that it is right opposite the old Jerusalem train station and surrounded by main
traffic arteries. Here on David Remez Street is one , of the few remaining building-free peaks in the
city where native flora and fauna flourish in the shadows of ancient monuments
and modern apartment complexes.
The stunning panoramic views from the
hill's crest are outstanding, encompassing parts of the New
City , the Old City and Mount
Zion , the distant mountains of Moab to the East, Mount
Gilo to the south, and the forested
hills of the Judean
Mountains to the west.
However, Givat HaTanach’s main claim to fame is its unique location atop the
“divider” of Jerusalem 's
watershed. To the one side of the hill, the Valley
of Hinnom flows towards the Dead
Sea and on the other, Emek Refaim sends water towards the Mediterranean
Sea . All the subterranean water close to the surface carpets Givat
HaTanach with a profusion of dazzling wildflowers from spring until autumn.
Flower lovers take note: No need to travel
up north. Right, right here in Jerusalem , you can
satiate your eyes with flowers of the Land on Givat HaTanach. Semi- desert
vegetation has survived here since these plants are resistant to heat and
strong sunlight. At the location, many bulb plants bloom in their regular
seasons producing harbingers of autumn and spring flowers.
The hill changes its color a few times
during the year, due to the different flower waves. During the fall, the mount
is covered with sea squills, autumn squills and steven’s meadow saffron,
painting it pink and violet. Winter and spring cloth the knoll in a red mantel
of kalaniot (anemones) and noriyot (ranunculus). Then the hill
changes to yellow in summer, bristling with varieties of thorns and thistles
with the elegantly colored steel-blue common glob thistle standing out above
all the other vegetation. The large coarse, grayish-green leaves of the glob thistle
set off its fantastical large ball-like flower beautifully.
Givat HaTanach attracts varied wildlife.
Colorful swallowtail butterflies and skylarks are common visitors.
Four
old homes, partly hidden from view by thick foliage occupy a small corner of
the hill. They were built and settled near the mid 1950s. Givat HaTanach’s name
on the billboard that stands under the hill is misspelled in English. In Hebrew,
the name is shown on a brown street sign-- Givat HaTanach, i.e. Bible Hill.
This hill is mentioned explicitly in Sefer
Jehoshua (15:8) delineating the territory of Shevet Judah :
"Then the boundary ascended into the Valley of the sons of Hinnom, along
the southern flank of the Jebusites - that is, Jerusalem . The boundary then ran up
the top of the hill which flanks the Valley of Hinnom
on the west, at the northern end of Emek Refaim.”
Busses, 38, 38a, 71, 72, 74, 74, 8, 107 and
30a, (from direction of Rechov King
George, Kern HaYesod) will let you off right opposite this urban countryside. Cross the road at the traffic circle. There
is a white concrete car on the corner. Next to it are some steep
steps. Go up the steps and pass the old homes to reach the actual place of
the views etc. Please stay on the
marked trail in order not to upset the unique ecological balance of the place.
Keep in mind on this and every forage into
nature, the rosh e’tevot, that are taught in schools around the country:
ShaNaH Tovah. S is for shvil (pathway)
- stay on the marked pathway. N is for nikayon (cleanness) - be
sure to keep the place clean. Carry garbage-bags with you to carry away the
rubbish you create. Animals can be harmed by empty soda-cans, food boxes, and
bags left behind. H is for hitbonen (contemplate) – look, enjoy
and contemplate (thereby remembering) the vegetation. There is no need to take
it home with you. If you really want to keep it with you, you can photograph
it. T is for tovah (good) – try to do the above well.
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