The beauty of the Harod Spring Nature Reserve

 

The Harod Spring Nature Reserve is both a place of modern beauty and historic importance. For thousands of years, the spring has been the gathering site for large armies to battle or train their forces. Today however, the nature reserve represents something different – a place to gather with friends and family in peace and reflection.

Nestled in the Jezreel Valley in lower Galilee, the Harod Spring Nature Reserve is a national park at the foot of Mt. Gilboa. The spring of Harod itself flows from the historic Gideon's Cave, creating a beautiful oasis of lush plant life and natural splendor in the middle of the areas normally arid climate. As the second largest pool of water in Israel, the spring today is beloved as a premier recreation and camping site. 

While the nature reserve itself is quite large, measuring over 280 acres, most people only ever see the visitors area where the public is welcome to gather and camp. This area only takes up about 28 acres of space, but they are in the most scenic area of the park. The public park around the spring includes large green fields for play, a paddling pool to cool off during the hot summer months, and towering eucalyptus trees for shade. As a camp and play area, there are many small gathering areas with picnic tables, electrical outlets for cooking, and spots where you can safely hold a bonfire at night. The park also includes a large public amphitheater. Free shows are frequently held during camping season to the delight of adults and children alike. 

More than a lovely place to relax with friends and family however, the Harod Springs are also a place of history. The home of Yehoshua Hankin, also known as the "redeemer of the valley” for his instrumental role in the land purchases and agreements that have made modern Israel possible, sits just above Gideon's cave. An important reminder of Israel's earliest days and how far the nation has come. The grave sites of both Yehoshua and his wife Olga are near the home and are considered historic sites of national interest. The home and grave locations can be visited as part of a guided tour depending on the season. 

Gideon's cave itself of course gets it's name from the biblical Gideon. This is where he gathered his men in preparation for a battle with the Midianites as we know from Judges 7:1 -

"Then Jerubbaal, who is Gideon, and all the people that were with him, rose up early, and pitched beside the well of Harod: so that the host of the Midianites were on the north side of them, by the hill of Moreh, in the valley."

Gideon's cave represents a chance to directly connect with biblical history. To place your feet in the exact spot Gideon once did, to look across the valley as he did. To look at the waters where God directly spoke to him and instructed him on which men to select for the coming battle. It is a truly humbling experience. 

Of course, the Harod Springs have seen more conflict since then. The park also contains a memorial to all the soldiers who perished while fighting on Mt. Gilboa during the War of Independence. The area was also the sight where British intelligence officers established and held the first training bases for the Palmach, the elite fighting force of the Haganah, the underground army of the Yishuv (Jewish community) during the period of the British Mandate for Palestine. These unofficial self-defense units would eventually become the foundation for the IDF.

It is this combination of history and beauty that makes the Harod Spring Nature Reserve so breathtaking. It is a living testament to the Jewish peoples determination and resolve in the face of conflict and our ability to create a better, more peaceful world.