Israel the Beloved
Table of Contents
Introduction
to Israel
Israel’s
Prime Ministers
Map
of Israel
Facts
About Israel
Climate
in Israel
Forests
in the Bible
Forests
in Israel Today
Trees
Being Planted in Israel
Trees
in the Holy Land
Flowers
and Plants in Israel
Mountains
in Israel
Deserts
in the Bible
Plains
and Valleys in the Bible
Rivers,
Streams and Wadi’s in Israel
Seas
and Lakes in Israel
Waterfalls
in Israel
Springs,
Pools and Wells in the Bible
Nature
Reserves of Israel
National
Parks in Israel
Geographical
Regions of Israel
Largest
Jewish Populated Metropolitan Areas
National
Symbols
Other
Symbols
Books
of the Hebrew Bible
Names
of God
Holy
Spirit – His Names and Titles
Holy
Spirit – Symbols
Names
and Titles of Jesus the Messiah
Aaronic
Blessing
Israel,
Adonai’s Beloved
Ten
Commandments
Hebrew
Definition of Shalom
Hebrew
Alphabet
Major
Archaeological Sites
Jerusalem
Archaeological Sites
Other
Archaeological Sites
Quarters
and Gates of the Old City of Jerusalem
Churches
in Israel
Ancient
Synagogues
Modern
Synagogues
Sites
and Places in Jerusalem
Key
Places Visited on a Pilgrimage to Israel
Expressions
and Greetings
Israeli
Cuisine
Popular
Markets in Israel
Popular
Restaurants in Israel
Five
Star Hotels in Israel
Key
Cities in Israel
Immigration
to Israel
Government
Israel
Defense Forces (IDF)
Wars
Involving Israel
Operations
Involving Israel
Israel’s
Space Program
Water
Desalination
Yad
Vashem
Concentration
Camps
Holocaust
History
Yom
HaShoah
Dead
Sea Scrolls
Industry
Sectors
Sabbath
Challah
Passover
Elijah’s
Cup and Miriam’s Cup
Hanukkah
Purim
Rosh
Hashanah
Yom
Kippur
Bar/Bat
Mitzvah
Jewish
Wedding Celebrations
Shema
Tallit
(Prayer Shawl)
Star
of David
Israeli
Shekel
Ancient
Hebrew Musical Instruments
Ancient
Jewish Dance
Ancient
Hebrew Songs
Joseph
(Son of Jacob) and Jesus
Names
or Words that speak of Jerusalem
Patriarchs
and Matriarchs
Invitation
for Salvation
Bibliography
Israel’s Prime
Ministers
David
Ben-Gurion (1948 – 1954)
Levi
Eshkol (1963 – 1969)
Yigal
Allon (1969 Interim)
Shimon
Peres (1984 – 1986)
Yitzhak
Shamir (1986 – 1992)
Yitzhak
Rabin (1992 – 1995)
Shimon
Peres (1995 – 1996)
Benjamin
Netanyahu (1996 – 1999)
Ehud
Olmert (2006 – 2009)
Benjamin
Netanyahu (2009 – 2021)
Naftali
Bennett (2021 - 2022)
Yair
Lapid (2022 – Present)
Introduction to Israel
Israel
is a country in western Asia, on the south-eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea.
It shares land borders with Lebanon in the north, Syria in the northeast, Jordan
on the east, the Palestinian territories (or state of Palestine) comprising the
West Bank and Gaza Strip on the east and southwest respectively, Egypt and the Gulf
of Aqaba at the Red Sea to the south, and it contains geographically diverse
features within its relatively small area.
In
its basic laws, Israel defines itself as a Jewish and democratic state; it is
the world's only Jewish-majority state.
CAPITAL
and LARGEST CITY: Jerusalem
31°47′N 35°13′E
OFFICIAL
LANGUAGES: Hebrew and Aramaic
ETHNIC
GROUPS (2017): 74.7% Jewish, 20.8% Arab,
4.5% Others
GOVERNMENT: Unitary Parliamentary Republic.
PRESIDENT
– Isaac Herzog
PRIME
MINISTER – Naftali Bennett
LEGISLATURE:
Knesset
INDEPENDENCE
from MANDATORY PALESTINE: Declared May
14, 1948. Recognition on May 1, 1949.
POPULATION
– 2020 estimate 8,655,535.
DENSITY
1,004.00/sq mi.
GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT (PURCHASING POWER PARITY) 2014 estimate - Total
$286.840 Billion - Per capita $35,658
GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT (NOMINAL) 2014 estimate
- Total $305.707 billion - Per Capita $38,004
CURRENCY: Israeli New Shekel
Time
Zone: ISRAEL STANDARD TIME (UTC+2) –
Summer (DST) ISRAEL SUMMER TIME (UTC+3)
DATE
FORMAT: dd-mm-yyyy (CE)
DRIVES
ON THE: Right
CALLING
CODE: +972
ISO
3166 code: IL
INTERNET
TLD: .il
Israel
welcomed approximately 30,000 new immigrants from May 2016 to May 2017.
In
2017, 4.3 million (75%) of the total Jewish population were “Sabras” - Born in
Israel - compared with just a 35% native-born population at Israel's independence
in 1948. 38.6% of the Jewish population are israeli-born to at least one parent
who was also Israeli-born.
About
40% of Israel's total population lives in the center of the country (24% in central
region and 16.5% in Tel Aviv area). Approximately 17% of the population lives
in the North and another 14% are based in the South. 12% live in both Jerusalem
and Haifa regions and another 4% in the West Bank.
Just
under half of the Jewish population lives in the center of the country, either
Jerusalem or Tel Aviv metropolitan areas.
60% of the Arab population lives in the north.
Map of Israel
Israel
has the highest ratio of university degrees to the population in the world.
Israel
produces more scientific papers per capita than any other nation by a large
margin – 109 per 10,000 people – as well as one of the highest per capita rates
of patents filed.
With
more than 3,000 high-tech companies and start-ups, Israel has the highest
concentration of hi-tech companies in the world (apart from the Silicon Valley).
Israel
has one of the highest percentages in the world of home computers per capita.
Israel
is ranked #2 in the world for venture capital funds right behind the United States.
Outside
the United States and Canada, Israel has the largest number of NASDAQ listed
companies.
Israel
has the highest average living standards in the Middle East.
Israel's
$100 billion economy is larger than all of its immediate neighbors combined.
Israel
is the only liberal democracy in the Middle East.
With
an aerial arsenal of over 250 f-16s, Israel has the largest fleet of the
aircraft outside of the United States. Israel
has the fourth largest Air Force in the world (behind the United States, Russia
and China).
Israel
has the largest raptor migration in the world, with hundreds of thousands of African
birds of prey crossing as they fan out into Asia.
In
1984 and 1991, Israel airlifted a total of 22,000 Ethiopian Jews at risk in Ethiopia
to safety in Israel.
When
Golda Meir was elected Prime Minister of Israel in 1969, she became the world's
second elected female leader in modern times.
Israel
has the third highest rate of entrepreneurship – and the highest rate among
women and among people over 55 – in the world.
Israel
has the world's second highest per capita of new books.
Israeli
bank notes have braille on them so the blind can identify them.
In
1991, during the Gulf War, the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra played a concert
wearing gas masks as scud missiles fired by Saddam Hussein fell on Tel Aviv.
Relative
to its population, Israel is the largest immigrant-absorbing nation on earth. Immigrants
come in search of democracy, religious freedom, and economic opportunity.
According
to industry officials, Israel designed the airline industry's most impenetrable
flight security. United States officials now look to Israel for advice on how
to handle airborne security threats.
Israel
is the only country in the world that entered the 21st century with a net gain
in its number of trees.
Israel
has more museums per capita than any other country.
Climate in Israel
Israel’s
climate ranges from temperate to tropical, with plenty of sunshine. Two
distinct seasons predominate: a rainy winter period from November to May; and a
dry summer season which extends through the next six months.
Rainfall
is relatively heavy in the north and center of the country, with much less in
the northern Negev and almost negligible amounts in the southern areas.
Regional
conditions vary considerably, with humid summers and mild winters on the coast;
dry summers and moderately cold winters in the hill regions, hot dry summers
and pleasant winters in the Jordan valley; and year-round semi-desert
conditions in the Negev.
Weather
extremes range from occasional winter snowfall at higher elevations to periodic
oppressively hot dry winds which send temperatures soaring, particularly in
spring and autumn.
Sunny and Warm at Tel Aviv Beach on the Mediterranean Sea
Forests in the Bible
Eden
Carmel
Lebanon
Hareth
Arabia
Gilead
Bethel
Bashan
Judah
Sharon
Ephraim
Ophir
Hermon
Jotham
Kirjath
Jearim
Paradise
(In Heaven)
Of
Jerusalem
Tabor
Ziph
Jordan
Aialon
Forests in Israel Today
Jerusalem
Canada
Eshtaol
Gilo
Aminadav
Martyrs
Peace
Ramot
Ben
Shemen
Hulda
Meginim
Tzora
Carmel
Coast
Hadera
Irron
Mt.
Hurshan
Mt.
Shehumit
Ahihud
Biriya
Lower
Hanita
Parad
Baram
Hadassah
Lavi
Mt.
Turan
Segev
Beit
Keshet
Swiss
Tiberias
Amatzia
Melachim
Be’eri
Lahav
Yatir
Trees Being Planted in
Israel
Since the formation of the State of Israel, tree planters have been busy creating forests in the holy land, which was a barren wasteland for centuries.
Since it was established in 1901,
Jewish National Fund (JNF) has planted more than 240 million trees all over the
State of Israel, providing luscious belts of green covering more than 250,000
acres. JNF National Forest development work creates “green lungs” around
congested towns and cities, and provides recreation and respite for all
Israelis. JNF has been planting trees indigenous to the middle east such as
native Oaks, Carob, Redbud, Almond, Pear, Hawthorn, Cypress and the exotic
Atlantic Cedar.
This is a fulfillment of Isaiah
35:1-2
The
wilderness and the wasteland shall be glad for them, and the desert shall
rejoice and blossom as the rose.
It
shall blossom abundantly and rejoice, even with joy and singing. The glory of
Lebanon shall be given to it, the excellence of Carmel and Sharon. They shall
see the glory of the Lord, the excellency of our God. New King James Version
The
desert is indeed blossoming abundantly through forestation, and by planting
vineyards and agriculture.
1
Chronicles 16:33 says, “Then the trees in the forest will sing before Adonai.” Complete Jewish Bible
Trees in the Holy Land
(Part A)
Tree
of Life
Acacia
Olive
Fig
Oak
Poplar
Gopher
Ash
Orange
Cedar
Pine
Myrtle
Cypress
Fir
Sequoia
Almug
Mustard
Banana
Palm
Teil
Bay
Ebony
Elm
Aspen
Ilex
Storax
Kiwi
Evergreen
Boswellia
Incense
Tree
Camelthorn
Terebinth
Hackberry
Pomegranate
Sycamine
Christ
Thorn
Trees in the Holy Land
(Part B)
Doum Palms
Date
Palms
Apple
Pear
Citrus
Walnut
Almond
Pistachio
Hazel
Guava
Myrrh
Carob
Osier
Citron
Arbutus
Laurel
Fichus
Thyine
Juniper
Willow
Balsam
Quince
Alder
Plane
Oil
Tree
Eucalyptus
*
Sycamore
Judas
Tree
Locust
Tamarisk
Mulberry
Eaglewood
Spiny
Jujube
|
* Native to Australia, the
Eucalyptus was brought over in the late 19th century to dry up the
swamps. These trees are found all over Israel. |
Flowers and Plants in
the Bible
(Part A)
Rose
Lily
Tulip
Henbit
Crocus
Nepeta
Daisy
Cistus
Heather
Grass
Ivy
Aloe
Cassia
Spikenard
Hyacinth
Reed
Myrtle
Sumac
Lupin
Nettle
Cactus
Heath
Oleander
Silenes
Aspalathus
Ranunculi
Lotus
Plant
Astragalus
Camphire
(Henna)
Rhododrendron
Jerusalem
Sage
Hawthorne
Crown
Anemone
Pea
Blossom
Colchicums
Chamomile
Flowers and Plants in
the Bible
(Part B)
Mountain
Star of Bethlehem
Bristly
Hollyhock
Egyptian
Fig-Marigold
Papaver
Somniferum
Turban
Buttercup
Spanish
Golden-Thistle
Scarlet
Pimpernel
Scallop-Leaved
Mullein
Holy
Bramble
Ixiolirions
Acorus
Calamus
Dwarf
Chicory
Camelthorn
Horned
Dock
Mallow
Plant
Caraway
Plant
Hemlock
Broom
Asphodel
Rockrose
Bulrush
Mandrake
Amomum
Saltwort
Mountain Star of Bethlehem
Lily of the Valley
Rose of Sharon
(Part C)
Sword
Field-Lily
Jerusalem
Spurge
Judean
Bugloss
Prickly
Bugloss
Red
Everlasting
Hairy
Pink Flax
Spring
Groundsel
Summer
Adonis
Bishop’s
Weed
Wild
Carrot
Winged
Pea
Hawksbeard
Field
Bindweed
Giant
Fennel
Friar’s
Cowl
Ainsworthia
Field
Mustard
Pink
Mustard
White
Mustard
Palestine
Iris
Afternoon
Iris
Syrian
Thistle
Tumble
Thistle
Purple
Clover
Flowers and Plants in
the Bible
|
Persian
Cyclamen |
|
Common
Scabious |
|
Golden
Henbane |
|
Violet
Horned Poppy |
|
Cyperus
Papyrus |
|
Veronica
Leiocarpa |
|
Lilac
Chaste Tree |
|
Iberian
Knapweed |
|
Behen
Centaury |
|
Dwarf
Centaury |
|
Flowering
Rush |
|
Dominica
Sage |
|
Narcissus
Plant |
|
Licorice-Root |
|
Common
Caper |
|
Holy
Milk Thistle |
|
Love-In-A-Mist |
|
Desert
Spike |
|
Corn
Poppy |
|
Boxthorn |
|
Dog
Rose |
|
Goldspray |
|
Sea
Squill |
|
Wormwood |
Mountains in Israel
(Part A)
Zion
Carmel
Gilead
Hor
Hesed
Shani
Arbel
Seir
Meron
Ebal
Gilboa
Baron
Tabor
Nitai
Bental
Aqrav
Halak
Odem
Peres
Avital
Hermon
Ephron
Bashan
Zalmon
Hillel
Shezor
Beatitudes
Precipice
Eilat
Olives
Mountains in Israel
(Part B)
Ram
Hosek
Shifon
Herzl
Gerizim
Sodom
Yohay
Jearim
Harif
Sasi
Seguv
Pelekh
Zeved
Karkom
Heres
Ramon
Gizron
Bethel
Yosifon
Ayarim
Moriah
Zemaraim
Perazim
Baalah
Ephraim
Naphtali
Shammay
Tell
Saki
Yohanan
Berekh
Mountains in Israel
(Part C)
Peqi’in
Dishon
Belet
Medad
Hilla
Almon
Eldad
Hen
Dovev
Ardon
Mattat
Kishor
Horesha
Yanoah
Gerafon
Bnei
Rasan
Shefannim
Gavri’el
Bosmat
Mikha’el
Nes
Oded
Loz
Addir
Hemet
Shahal
Kefir
Batur
Gizron
Nafha
Deserts in the Bible
Arabia
Sinai
Judah
Paran
Sin
Ziph
Negev
Maon
Diblath
Of
Damascus
Moab
Kedemoth
Kadesh
Barnea
Beth
Aven
Lye
Abarim
Beersheba
Etham
Red
Sea
En
Gedi
Gibeon
Edom
Tekoa
Shur
Zin
Midian
Jeruel
Egypt
(Part A)
Shinar
Jericho
Moreh
Zaanaim
Kidron
Goshen
Shaveh
Zared
Eshcol
Achor
Mizpeh
Ajalon
Akko
Jordan
Tabor
Megiddo
Baca
Gibeon
Moab
Acacia
Saba
Succoth
Lebanon
Jiphthah El
Kiriathaim
Hamongog
Meonenim
Jehoshaphat
Al Ghor
