For the Love of Israel: The Holy Land: From Past to Present. An A–Z Primer for Hachamin, Talmidim, Vatikim, Noodnikim, and Dreamers

By Rabbi Steven Stark Lowenstein and Mark Anderson

From Aliyah to Megidoo and Netanyahu to Zionism, this vibrant A-to-Z guide—or rather Z-to-A, Hebrew-style—examines more than 3,000 years of this postage stamp–sized land’s history. With the 26 letters of the alphabet paired with lighthearted text and colorful illustrations, this fun fact book explores the heart, the soul, and the foundation of the Jewish people—the homeland from where their ancient traditions, culture, and values have come. Through Hebrew words, interesting facts, poignant quotes, and profound teachings, each letter comes to life with a significant aspect of the land’s background.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Triumph Books
• Release date: Apr 1, 2012
• ISBN: 9781623685133

Book preview

past.

Abba Father   Achla Wow   Ahalan Hello   Achad One   Acharai After me   Ahavah Love   Al hapanim Awful   Am People

A is for

Aliyah,

To go up a steep ascent

Following in the footsteps of Abraham,

Who crossed over the Fertile Crescent.

According to tradition, traveling to the Land of Israel is an ascent, both geographically and metaphysically. Anyone traveling to Eretz Israel from Egypt, Babylonia, or the Mediterranean basin (where many Jews lived in early rabbinic times), climbed to a higher altitude. In 1933, David Wolfsohn was given the task of creating a flag for the Jewish State to be unveiled at the Zionist congress. He chose a combination of the Magen David (the star/shield of David) and the tallit (the traditional prayer shawl). The sky-blue color is said to evoke the presence of God. The interlocking triangles point in all directions, forever linking the past and the future. The beauty of Israel…always look up.

Once I sat on the steps by a gate at David’s Tower, I placed my two heavy baskets at my side. A group of tourists was standing around their guide and I became their target marker. ‘You see that man with the baskets? Just right of his head there’s an arch from the Roman period. Just right of his head.’ ‘But he’s moving, he’s moving!’ I said to myself: redemption will come only if their guide tells them, ‘You see that arch from the Roman period? It’s not important: but next to it, left and down a bit, there sits a man who’s bought fruit and vegetables for his family.’ ~ Tourists by Yehuda Amechai

Boker tov Good morning   Betayavon Enjoy your meal   B’seder A-Okay   Bevakasha Please   B’hatzlacha Good luck   Bakbook Bottle   Balagan A mess

B is for

Birthright,

A privilege, a heritage, a right

To eat Bissli and Bamba

With never a fear or fright.

Reviews for For the Love of Israel

[leolyngribben · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

My only regret is that it is so short.
Well written, informative and very Israeli in flavor.