An Eye on Zion: Yakir
The pioneers named the nascent community “Yakir,” meaning “precious,” the precise Hebrew word used by God to describe His “son,” Ephraim (Jeremiah 31:19).
The pioneers named the nascent community “Yakir,” meaning “precious,” the precise Hebrew word used by God to describe His “son,” Ephraim (Jeremiah 31:19).
Drawing their inspiration from the Biblical figure Avigayil (Abigail), Elisha and his friends decided to establish a new community in the southern Hebron Hills. They parked an old bus on a plot of land facing Maon, the ancient Biblical site where Avigayil lived.
On Friday evening of May 2, 1980, a group of students from Nir Yeshiva, located on the outskirts of the Biblical city of Hebron, excitedly headed to the Cave of Machpelah. There, they joyfully welcomed in the Sabbath with uplifting prayers.
That evening, however, terrorists threw grenades and fired bullets in the direction of the students, murdering three of them.
In 1927, a group of pious Jews from Yemen and Jerusalem sought to restore the Judean hills, which had lain barren and in ruins for almost 2,000 years.
During the Feast of Tabernacles in 1977, an idealistic couple heading to visit the pioneering community of Kedumim suddenly found themselves taking on a new mission.
Around 1700 years ago, a group of devout Jews settled the southern edges of Judea in the Hebron Hills. Their hearts were directed towards Jerusalem, the eternal site of the Shechinah (The Divine Presence) where the Temple once stood in all its Divine glory.
Almost 3,800 years ago, the great-great-grandchildren of Joseph, excitedly surveyed the lush hills of Samaria comprising the tribal territories allotted to them by Joshua. However, the tribesmen of Manasseh and Ephraim, the two sons of Joseph, faced an ostensible dilemma: How would their mountainous territories accommodate and provide for their large populations?
Tucked into the hills of Gush Etzion just southwest of Jerusalem, the beautiful kibbutz of Migdal Oz stands as a beacon of ongoing resilience. Literally translated into English as “Tower of Strength,” Migdal Oz has truly lived up to its name. Through the years, the kibbutz has endured repeated gunfire and arson attacks by hostile Arab neighbors.
Nestled in the hills of the Benjamin region in Samaria near the historic Mount Baal Hazor, Ofra is more than just a suburban area. It is a testament to the timeless bond between the people of Israel and the land God promised them.
As the Children of Israel prepared to cross the Jordan River, two and a half tribes, Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh, sought permission to settle the lush, fertile soil on the eastern side of the Jordan.