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Larry Domnitch is the the author of, "The Cantonists: The Jewish Children's Army of the Tsar," recently released by Devora Publishing.
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By Larry Domnitch
February 3, 2007
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During the eras of the first and second temples, Israel was adorned with lush forests. Then the land was scorched by numerous foreign armies over the last two thousand years.
In the latter half of the nineteenth century, during Ottoman rule, the first wave of Zionist immigrants began to arrive. They planned to develop the land and restore it to its former splendor. They planted trees and clusters of young saplings began to dot the countryside. Each blossoming forest that was planted brought the dream of the land's revitalization a little closer. Yet, it was a dream that seemed distant while the land was under the harsh rule of the anti-Zionist Turks.
While visiting Israel in 1898, Theodor Herzl sought an audience with the German Kaiser Wilhelm II, who was also visiting the Holy Land. After visiting the coastal settlements of Mikve Yisrael and Rishon LeTzion, Herzl traveled towards Jerusalem. As he passed through the Judean hills, nearing his destination, he stopped by the settlement of Motza which possessed a population of two hundred. Motza dates back to biblical times and was also settled by eight hundred Roman troops following the Roman siege of Jerusalem. In modern times, Motza, one of the first agricultural settlements in the land, was established in 1859. Its' abundance of Olive, Date and Apricot Trees along with clusters of grapevines gave it a fertile appearance.
Herzl and his entourage were warmly received. As he rested in the shade, he gazed upon the land of Judea. The sun began to set and a variety of lights of brilliant colors reflected upon its hills. Captivated by the sight, he told members of his entourage that he wished to plant a tree at that location. Herzl ascended the hill and planted a young Cypress Tree. In the Central Zionist Archives of Jerusalem there is a photo of Herzl beside that tree.
There is a legend associated with that tree planting event.
Seven years later, on the twentieth day of the Hebrew month of Tammuz 1905, Herzl died at age forty-four. The stunned members of the Yishuv mourned his death and continued to commemorate their leader in the years to come. On the day of his yahrzeit (the anniversary of his death), Zionist youth continued to ascend that hill and plant trees around Herzl's.
When World War I broke out several years later, the British and the Turks were locked in a bitter struggle over control of the Holy Land. As the tide of battle was turning in favor of the British, the Turks, suffering a wave of defeats, vented out their anger upon the Zionists. Many were imprisoned or exiled; others had their wealth and businesses confiscated. Despite the hardships, the settlers continued to develop the land. When the twentieth of Tamuz arrived in 1917, Zionist youth, in accordance with the annual custom, once again returned to Herzl's tree but found that it had not survived. The Turks, who had decimated entire forests out of need for lumber, had hewn it down. Scattered around the remains of the tree, they found cones from the Cypress Tree, which they placed in their pockets. They returned to Jerusalem under cover that night to avoid the watchful eyes of the Turks. Those cones, which contained numerous seeds, were carefully guarded.
Those who collected and guarded the seeds proceeded to plant them throughout the land. Soon, from Herzl's destroyed tree, many young trees sprung forth -- from the Galilee to the Judean hills.
Behind the legend there is a message. That which is cut down can be replanted. Adversity might be an obstacle but not deterrence.
The settlement of Motza was likewise cut down. A wave of Arab riots against the Jews erupted throughout the Holy Land in 1929, and Motza suffered. Despite promises by the Sheikh of the neighboring town of Kolonia that Motza would not be attacked; the Yishuv was stormed by its neighbors. In one house, on the settlement's perimeter, five members of the Makleff family along with two summer guests were murdered. Motza was soon abandoned. However, four years later, a new settlement, Moshav Motza Ilith (Upper Motza) was established near that location, situated slightly higher on the same hill. In clear view of the Moshav rested the remains of Herzl's Cypress Tree.
On Tu Bishvat, a nation plants seeds to recover what was lost in the past and to build for the future. The land might have been left bare, but there was always hope for its revival and the renewal of its legendary forestry. Every Tu BiShvat those seeds, which are remnants of the destruction of forests in the past, are planted to build future forests in the land of Israel.
Views expressed by the author do not
necessarily reflect those of israelinsider.
 
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