Elah Valley and its Milk Thistles

A short picture essay from the Judean foothills.

Dear Healthy Jew,

Last week I wrote about the current drought here in Israel and its significance even in the age of desalination.

Israel Under Drought

Thankfully, this week has brought bountiful rain, blessing the entire natural world of Israel with the flow of life.

As the clouds were coming over from Jerusalem to the Judean foothills, I headed out for a little hike. Leaving Ramat Beit Shemesh, I walked south over Milk Thistle Hill, and then hooked onto the Israel National Trail. After crossing the ancient road that cuts through the Elah Valley (known today as Route 375), the trail climbs up Socho hill from the west - probably the same way the Jewish camp took when they went there to watch David battle Goliath.

Here’s some pictures:

Satellite image of eastern Elah Valley. From Google Maps.

East part of Elah Valley viewed from the north, around a mile from where David battled Goliath. The road crossing the picture, Route 375, has been the southern approach to Jerusalem for millennia. Among many others, Sennacherib’s army took it after torching Lachish to the southwest, only to be smitten at the gates of Jerusalem. Over the hills in the distance lies Hebron, city of the forefathers. Today the satellite dish station dominates this section of the valley.

The same valley viewed from the south. Picture taken on the trail heading up to Socho hill, perhaps the same way the Jews went to watch David and Goliath. Notice the sign for the Israel National Trail in the bottom left corner.

Despite the drought, the hardy milk thistle is no longer a humble sprout but boasts big, prickly leaves. These leaves are quite edible - after cutting off the thorny edges. They taste similar to some of the greens you’d buy in the store.

Notice the old, woody stalks from last year’s thistles together with their offspring. Life and death is but a cycle.

Rain overflows the Yarmut Stream that goes through the Yarmut Park in Ramat Beit Shemesh. The stream and park are named after the ruins of Yarmut which they pass nearby. Yarmut was one of the five Canaanite cities that joined forced against Joshua (10:3), but were conquered and ousted.

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