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Neot Kedumim lake view

Key Information

Neot Kedumim, the Biblical Landscape Reserve in Israel (Hebrew: נאות קדומים) is a Biblical garden and nature preserve located near Modi'in, midway between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, Israel.

Etymology

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Neot Kedumim means "pleasant pastures (or habitations) of old."[1]

Overview

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Neot Kedumim is an attempt to re-create the physical setting of the Hebrew Bible. The park covers an area of about 2,500 dunams (2.5 km2; 0.97 sq mi).[2] The idea of planting such a garden dates back to 1925. In 1964, land was allocated for the project with the help of Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion.[3]

Neot Kedumim comprises a series of natural and agricultural landscapes, among them the Forest of Milk and Honey, the Dale of the Song of Songs, Isaiah's Vineyard and the Fields of the Seven Species. Signs are posted throughout the garden quoting relevant Jewish texts in Hebrew and English.[4]

palm trees

Neot Kedumim offers pre-booked organized tours but is also accessible to individuals who can roam the site on their own with maps provided by the park.[5]

Neot Kedumim view

History

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When Ephraim and Hannah Hareuveni immigrated from Russia to Ottoman Palestine in 1912, they dreamed of developing a biblical landscape reserve that "embodied the panorama and power of the landscapes that both shaped the values of the Bible and provided a rich vocabulary for expressing them". Their son, Noga, a physicist, dedicated his life to implementing his parents' dream. To build the park, thousands of tons of soil were trucked in, reservoirs were built to catch runoff rain water, ancient terraces, wine presses and ritual baths were restored, and hundreds of varieties of plants were cultivated.[5]

In 1994 Neot Kedumim and Noga Hareuveni, the driving spirit behind the garden, were awarded the Israel Prize for their special contribution to society and the State of Israel.[6]

Salvia and menorah

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Plants in several species of the genus Salvia resemble the menorah.[7][8]

A shrub called the moriah, which bears a striking resemblance to the menorah, particularly inspires Miss Frenkley. "In Exodus, Chapters 25 and 37," she says, "we get a very exact description of how the artisan Bezalel fashioned the first menorah, or seven-branched candelabram, for the Tabernacle in Sinai. We're told it was patterned with three knobbed branches on each side of the main stem, and with so many almond-shaped calyxes and flowers on each branch. Dr. Hareuveni's parents searched for the botanical prototype and identified it as this moriah, or Salvia palaestina. It's a member of the sage family, and its very fragrant oil was likely used in the Temple. In the Bible we're told that the burning of sweet incense always accompanied the lighting of the menorah."[9]

See also

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References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Neot Kedumim

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Neot Kedumim (Hebrew: נאות קדומים), known as the Biblical Landscape Reserve in Israel, is a 2,500-dunam (625-acre) nature reserve and botanical garden located in the Shephelah region near Modi'in, midway between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. Founded by botanist Noga Hareuveni in the mid-1960s, it recreates the physical landscapes, plants, trees, animals, and agricultural practices of biblical times to illuminate the settings and symbolism of the Hebrew Bible, Jewish and Christian traditions, and ancient texts. Established on land allocated by the Israeli government in 1965, the reserve transformed severely degraded terrain—worn to bedrock by centuries of overgrazing, erosion, and conflict—through extensive restoration ecology efforts, including trucking in thousands of tons of soil, rebuilding ancient-style terraces, and planting species native to biblical descriptions. These efforts have produced themed landscapes such as Isaiah's Vineyard, the Forest of Milk and Honey, the Dale of the Song of Songs, and the Garden of Wisdom Literature, alongside reconstructed features including olive and wine presses, threshing floors, cisterns, ritual baths, and ruins from the through . Visitors can observe grazing sheep, goats, and other biblical-era animals, explore trails of varying lengths, and participate in hands-on activities that highlight the ecological and symbolic connections between nature and scripture. Noga Hareuveni, son of botanists Ephraim and Hannah Hareuveni whose early explorations of Israel's flora inspired aspects of the concept, led the project as its founder. In 1994, Neot Kedumim and Hareuveni received the Israel Prize, the state's highest civilian honor, for their special contributions to society and the state through education on biblical landscapes and restoration achievements. The reserve serves as a unique educational site, blending botany, archaeology, history, and geography to make ancient biblical environments accessible and tangible for modern visitors.

History

Origins and Founding

The origins of Neot Kedumim trace back to 1912, when Ephraim and Hannah Hareuveni immigrated from Russia to Ottoman Palestine and conceived the dream of establishing a reserve that would recreate the landscapes, flora, and agricultural practices of biblical times. In 1925, they founded the Museum of Biblical and Talmudic Botany at the Hebrew University on Mount Scopus, which served as an initial realization of their vision to connect modern audiences with the plants of the Hebrew Bible. Ephraim Hareuveni further developed this concept in the mid-1920s, presenting a proposal for a "Garden of the Prophets and Sages" that outlined the idea of a living biblical landscape. The museum and associated efforts were disrupted in 1948 during the War of Independence, when access to Mount Scopus was lost, but the foundational vision persisted through the family's work. Their son, Noga Hareuveni (1924–2007), a physicist and naturalist, carried forward his parents' dream. In 1965, following land allocation in the mid-1960s facilitated by Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion, Noga formally founded Neot Kedumim as the Biblical Landscape Reserve on 625 acres (2,500 dunams) in the area near Modi'in to illustrate the physical settings of the Hebrew Bible. The name Neot Kedumim translates to "pleasant pastures (or habitations) of old," evoking the ancient biblical landscapes the reserve seeks to revive.

Development and Restoration

The development of Neot Kedumim began following the allocation of land by the Israeli government in 1965. The designated area in the Modi'in region had been severely degraded, eroded to bare rock through centuries of overgrazing, battles, and neglect, requiring extensive physical restoration to recreate a biblical landscape. To rebuild the soil profile, thousands of tons of topsoil were trucked in and spread across the eroded hillsides. Ancient agricultural terraces were reconstructed to retain the imported soil and control erosion, while reservoirs were dug to capture runoff rainwater for irrigation. Restoration work also included rebuilding historical structures such as wine presses, olive presses, ritual baths (mikvaot), and related dwelling features. These engineering and ecological efforts transformed the previously barren site into a 2,500-dunam restored landscape, recognized as a model of restoration ecology.

Recognition and Awards

Neot Kedumim and its founder Noga Hareuveni received the Israel Prize in 1994, the State's highest honor, for their special contribution to society and the State of Israel. The award recognized Hareuveni’s leadership in establishing the Biblical Landscape Reserve and the collective efforts of the Neot Kedumim staff in recreating biblical landscapes and agricultural practices. The reserve has also garnered broader recognition as a pioneering model of restoration ecology through the reclamation of degraded landscapes, and it is widely regarded as the world’s only Biblical Landscape Reserve.

Description

Location and Size

Neot Kedumim, the Biblical Landscape Reserve, is located in central Israel within the area, near the city of Modi'in and along Route 443. It sits roughly midway between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, approximately 10 minutes' drive from Ben-Gurion International Airport. The reserve covers 2,500 dunams (about 625 acres or 2.5 square kilometers), consisting of rolling hills and valleys that have been ecologically restored to represent ancient biblical landscapes.

Landscape and Ecology

Neot Kedumim spans 625 acres (approximately 2,500 dunams) of rolling hills and valleys that have been ecologically restored after lying barren for thousands of years. The reserve revives the biblical imagery of a "land flowing with milk and honey" by recreating fertile natural and agricultural landscapes on what was once . This restoration has transformed the hilly fringe of the Judean Hills into a thriving environment, serving as an internationally recognized model of restoration ecology that reconstructs landscapes altered by prolonged human activity. The current ecology features undulating hillsides, fertile valleys, and integrated water management elements that sustain the revived ecosystem and support its .

Biblical Connections

Neot Kedumim recreates the physical settings of the Hebrew Bible by restoring ancient landscapes, planting biblical-era species of trees and crops, and reconstructing agricultural practices such as terracing, wine pressing, and olive cultivation that were common in biblical times. This approach enables visitors to experience the natural environment that shaped , metaphors, and teachings. Throughout the reserve, thousands of interpretive signs in Hebrew and English quote relevant verses from the Bible, along with selections from the Mishnah, Talmud, and midrashim, placing these texts directly alongside the corresponding plants, groves, and features. For example, passages from Psalms are paired with olive trees and date palms to illustrate metaphors of fruitfulness and righteousness, allowing the landscape itself to serve as a visual and sensory commentary on scripture. The broader aim is to demonstrate the intimate ties between biblical tradition and the nature and agriculture of the Land of Israel, making the connections between text and terrain tangible and fostering a deeper appreciation of how the physical environment influenced Jewish religious and cultural heritage.

Features

Notable Gardens and Landscapes

Neot Kedumim features several named landscapes and gardens that recreate specific biblical settings, each drawing inspiration from textual sources in the Hebrew Bible to illustrate themes and imagery from Scripture. The Forest of Milk and Honey evokes the repeated biblical description of the Land of Israel as a fertile place "flowing with milk and honey," with plantings that reflect the abundance and natural richness associated with this motif. The Dale of the Song of Songs is inspired by the poetic book of Song of Songs, incorporating flora and scenery that illustrate the romantic, pastoral, and natural imagery of love and beauty described in the text. Isaiah's Vineyard draws from prophetic passages in Isaiah that employ vineyard imagery, including symbolic elements such as a shoot emerging from a stump to represent renewal and messianic hope (Isaiah 11:1), with plantings and features that bring these metaphors to life. The Fields of the are dedicated to the seven agricultural products enumerated in Deuteronomy 8:8—wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives, and date honey (or dates)—as emblems of the land's blessings and fertility. Other themed areas include the Garden of Wisdom Literature and the Pool of Solomon, which further connect to biblical and ancient traditions through their design and symbolism. These landscapes are accompanied by relevant biblical quotations and interpretations placed throughout the reserve to contextualize their scriptural significance.

Biblical Plants and Crops

Neot Kedumim cultivates numerous plant species that were prominent in biblical times, with a particular emphasis on the of the Land of Israel. These are wheat, barley, grape vines, figs, pomegranates, olives (for oil), and dates (as honey), as enumerated in Deuteronomy 8:8. These species hold unique biblical importance, being the only ones eligible for the bikkurim (first fruits) offering brought to the on Shavuot, a restriction that underscores their vulnerability to the region's challenging climatic conditions and the ' dependence on divine providence. Wheat and barley, as the primary grain crops, mark seasonal transitions in the Jewish calendar and are frequently referenced in biblical texts alongside grapes and olives for their roles in producing essential foodstuffs. Among the reserve's notable plants is Salvia palaestina, known locally as moriah, a native sage whose branched structure, calyxes, knobs, and overall form have been identified as a potential botanical prototype for the biblical menorah described in Exodus 37:17–24. This resemblance, including branches emerging as if "of one piece" with the stem, was recognized by the Hareuveni family, who named the plant moriah after the biblical hill country where it thrives. The plant's aromatic properties further evoke the sensory elements of biblical flora. These species and others from biblical eras are showcased in the reserve's botanical collections, which include approximately 950 species of plants native to the Land of Israel, encompassing wild varieties and cultivated crops. Such plants appear in themed gardens throughout the reserve, allowing direct engagement with the botanical context of .

Agricultural Recreations

Neot Kedumim recreates biblical-era agricultural practices through the restoration of ancient installations and landscapes that illustrate farming techniques described in the Hebrew Bible. The reserve features reconstructed terraces that demonstrate how ancient farmers modified hilly terrain to create level fields, prevent soil erosion, and capture rainwater for irrigation. Ancient wine presses and olive presses have been excavated and restored to show the processes of grape pressing for wine and olive crushing for oil, reflecting methods used in biblical agriculture. Threshing floors have also been reconstructed to illustrate the separation of grain from chaff, a key step in processing crops such as wheat and barley. Cisterns and other water storage features have been restored to highlight techniques for collecting and managing water essential to sustaining agriculture in the region's semi-arid environment. These installations, combined with fields where traditional methods are applied to grow biblical crops, provide a tangible representation of the shift toward settled farming practices in ancient Israel.

Activities and Education

Tours and Visitor Experiences

Neot Kedumim offers a range of tours and visitor experiences that allow guests to immerse themselves in recreated biblical landscapes. Due to the current security situation, the reserve is only open for pre-organized guided tours and groups until further notice; self-guided entry is restricted. Guided tours, which must be arranged in advance, are available for families, groups, and individuals, and are conducted in multiple languages including Hebrew and English (additional languages such as French, German, Dutch, Spanish, and Russian may be available by arrangement). These tours highlight the uses and symbolisms of ancient plants, trees, and agricultural practices in relation to . When self-guided tours are available (subject to security conditions), individual visitors can explore at their own pace along two easy trails that pass major attractions, including ancient agricultural installations such as cisterns, oil presses, wine presses, vineyards, olive groves, water pools, and biblical plants and trees. Visitors receive a map and follow trails with explanatory signs in English (and Hebrew), typically completing the experience in 2-3 hours. Throughout the reserve, numerous signs along the trails provide detailed information, including biblical verses and quotes from the Mishnah, Talmud, and midrashim, often presented in English and Hebrew, enhancing understanding of the site's biblical connections. Specialized experiences include the Biblical Cooking Tour, which combines a short guided walk with an outdoor cooking session featuring foods grown in the biblical landscape. Additional activities that can enhance visits include add-ons such as tree planting, sheep herding, and Torah scribe demonstrations (typically requiring a guided tour).

Educational Programs

Neot Kedumim offers structured educational programs that link biblical texts to the recreated landscapes, plants, trees, and agricultural practices of ancient times, fostering deeper understanding of the Hebrew Bible's physical and cultural setting. These programs target schools, youth groups, families, and specialized participants, providing hands-on interpretive activities that combine , agriculture, and biblical scholarship to illustrate ecological and historical contexts. Notable offerings include leadership development workshops, such as the Young Leadership Program and Outdoor Leadership Program, which use the biblical landscapes and stories of biblical leaders to teach team building, communication, responsibility, and vision-setting through experiential outdoor activities. Additional programs encompass Bar/Bat Mitzvah preparations, cooking workshops exploring "Food Connects People" and biblical cuisine, and other thematic sessions that connect participants to ancient agricultural and cultural practices. The reserve also functions as a resource for biblical studies and environmental education, serving as a scientific unit where research integrates disciplines such as Bible scholarship, botany, zoology, geography, history, and archaeology to advance interpretive learning.

Significance

Cultural and Religious Importance

Neot Kedumim occupies a unique position as the world's only Biblical Landscape Reserve, recreating the physical environments of ancient Israel to illuminate the cultural and religious contexts of the Hebrew Bible. By restoring landscapes such as olive groves, vineyards, grainfields, and threshing floors, the reserve provides a tangible setting for biblical narratives, enabling visitors to experience the agrarian roots that shaped scriptural references to nature, agriculture, and daily life. The reserve demonstrates the deep connections between biblical tradition and the ecology of the land of Israel, as expressed through symbols, prayers, and holidays in Jewish and Christian heritage. It serves as a living representation of the biblical world, where activities like grinding wheat, tasting sycamore figs, or observing ancient wine presses make scriptural imagery concrete and immediate, bridging abstract texts with their original environmental idiom. This approach enhances biblical interpretation across traditions by presenting the landscape itself as a living text, revealing how the particular idiom of Israel's nature and agriculture informs the universal messages of Scripture. For both Jewish and Christian visitors, the reserve deepens appreciation of shared biblical heritage, transforming passages—such as those describing trees, vines, or harvest cycles—into vivid, experiential realities that connect ancient traditions with contemporary understanding.

Conservation and Influence

Neot Kedumim continues to engage in ongoing ecological restoration and maintenance of its landscapes, applying principles of restoration ecology to reclaim and sustain areas previously degraded by human activity. This involves replanting and caring for biblical-era species—such as olive trees, date palms, sycamores, and other native flora—to preserve the recreated historical environments across its 625 acres. The reserve has gained international recognition as a pioneering model of , demonstrating how biblical texts and historical records can guide the reconstruction of landscapes altered by long-term degradation. This approach has been highlighted as an exemplar of using cultural and scriptural sources to inform . In 1994, Neot Kedumim received the Israel Prize, the state's highest honor, for its exceptional contributions to society through its innovative integration of landscape restoration with biblical heritage. The reserve's methodology has influenced biblical landscape studies and inspired similar projects globally, including the establishment of biblical gardens elsewhere that draw on its restoration framework to connect cultural identity with environmental preservation. Through its work, Neot Kedumim also advances environmental awareness by illustrating ecological principles expressed in ancient Jewish sources, linking biblical heritage to contemporary conservation values.

References

  1. https://www.gemsinisrael.com/the-gems/wide-open-spaces/the-bible-s-landscape-comes-alive/
  2. https://www.jerusalemperspective.com/2742/
  3. https://www.neot-kedumim.org.il/history/
  4. https://ferrelljenkins.blog/2019/06/13/a-cedar-of-lebanon-grows-in-israel/
  5. https://www.bridgesforpeace.com/article/a-garden-of-the-prophets-and-sages-2
  6. https://jewishaction.com/jewish-world/israel/beaten-track-neot-kedumim/
  7. https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/travel/2014-02-24/ty-article/israels-biblical-landscape-reserve/0000017f-dc86-d3ff-a7ff-fda6266d0000
  8. https://www.neot-kedumim.org.il/nogah_hareuveni/
  9. https://www.ou.org/life/israel/neot_kedumim/
  10. https://www.neot-kedumim.org.il/
  11. https://www.neot-kedumim.org.il/magazine/3/
  12. https://www.neot-kedumim.org.il/info-and-directions/
  13. https://www.neot-kedumim.org.il/who-are-we/
  14. https://www.lonelyplanet.com/israel/judean-hills/attractions/neot-kedumim/a/poi-sig/1502922/1332230
  15. https://landmarks.gov.il/%D7%A4%D7%90%D7%A8%D7%A7-%D7%A0%D7%90%D7%95%D7%AA-%D7%A7%D7%93%D7%95%D7%9E%D7%99%D7%9D
  16. https://www.neot-kedumim.org.il/who-are-we-2/
  17. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/270846813_Landscape_as_a_national_text_The_biblical_landscape_reserve_of_Neot_Kedumim_Israel
  18. https://betshira.com/PDF/Seven%20Species%20of%20Israel.pdf
  19. https://forward.com/food/recipes/356711/the-secret-sage-scented-history-of-the-menorah/
  20. https://www.neot-kedumim.org.il/homepage-2/the-botanic-garden/about-the-botanical-garden/
  21. https://apassionandapassport.com/experiencing-life-as-it-was-lived-3000-years-ago-in-neot-kedumim/
  22. https://www.jpost.com/travel/around-israel/article-52366
  23. https://www.neot-kedumim.org.il/homepage-2/touring-options/
  24. https://www.neot-kedumim.org.il/homepage-2/the-botanic-garden/types-of-gardens/the-garden-of-the-wheat-ancestors/
  25. https://www.beinharimtours.com/neot-kedumim-park/
  26. https://www.neot-kedumim.org.il/homepage-2/touring-options/self-guided-tour/
  27. https://www.neot-kedumim.org.il/homepage-2/touring-options/touring-options-for-families/biblical-cooking-tour/
  28. https://wise-school.org/hebrew/
  29. https://www.neot-kedumim.org.il/homepage-2/taste-of-leadership-leadership-progrems-at-neot-kedumim-park/young-leadership/
  30. https://www.neot-kedumim.org.il/homepage-2/taste-of-leadership-leadership-progrems-at-neot-kedumim-park/leadership-then-and-now/
  31. https://www.neot-kedumim.org.il/magazine/toc/
  32. https://modiinapp.com/en/page/6684/ochel-mechabar-anashim-course-at-neot-kedumim
  33. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10806-019-09801-3
  34. https://israelmyglory.org/article/discovering-our-biblical-roots-in-modern-israel/
  35. https://www.neot-kedumim.org.il/tree-planting/
  36. https://time.com/archive/6718769/learning-how-to-revive-the-wilds-of-eden/
  37. https://www.neot-kedumim.org.il/magazine/
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