פרשת נח | Tours in Jerusalem with Yishay Shavit

Parashat Noah

The Parasha of Noah can be divided into two parts. The first tells us the story of Noah, his family and the flood myth. The second gives us an account of the history of mankind including the story of the tower of Babel. This Parasha is known and loved by most of the western world. Knowing this, it shouldn’t be such a surprise that Jerusalem has many sites that retell the tale or at least part of it. Thinking about the Parasha of Noah, I considered writing about Danziger’s Nimrod statue in the Israel museum or about The Bible Lands Museum. After rethinking the issue I decided to write about a place that refers directly to the story of Noah’s Ark – Jerusalem Biblical Zoo. It is a special place. Aaron Shulov, the founder of the zoo thought it necessary to establish a zoo that will serve as an academic research center and a visitor’s center. The story tells us that one day Shulov returned home and told his wife: “Yocheved, I decided to found a zoo in Jerusalem. I want the children of the city to be able to tell a dog and a jackal apart…” Shulov wanted the zoo to be influenced by its location in Jerusalem and to show a deep connection to the land of the bible. The Jerusalem biblical zoo was established in 1940 and changed it’s location a few times before settling in south west Jerusalem, its permanent home since the 1990’s. Elders of Jerusalem may remember the tiny old zoo that stood north of Tel Arza for years. These days it is one of the most popular sites in Israel.

: Jerusalem Biblical Zoo

The Jerusalem biblical zoo hosts many biblical animals, but also enables a meeting with the red panda, the Tapir and the Cacatua – animals that were never mentioned in the bible. What then makes this zoo a biblical zoo? There are many answers to the question and some deal with alternative animal names that are mentioned in the bible ( The “zemer” mentioned in the book of Deuteronomy chapter 14 is considered a Giraffe for instance) My personal answer to this question is situated in the furthest point from the gate – An ark-like visitor’s canter. The place is all about a single verse:

“You are also to bring into the ark two of every living thing of all flesh, male and female, to keep them alive with you. Two of everything – from the birds according to their kinds, from the livestock according to their kinds and from every animal that crawls on the ground according to its kind – will come to you so you can keep them alive.”

(Genesis 6:19-20)

It is a popular modern metaphor for Noah’s ark – the preservation of fauna of its era. Many animals will have been lost without Noah’s doing. The above citation emphasizes it well enough. The purpose of the ark was “to keep them alive” and the huge ark in the Jerusalem biblical zoo demonstrates its role in reviving and preserving wildlife in modern Israel. In a world experiencing a large scale extinction processes there is a significant importance for a struggle for preservation of the world’s wildlife. The zoo takes part in various re-introduction projects (the re-introduction of Fallow deer to the Nachal Soreq nature park for example), and tries to rear animals of Israeli endangered species. All those projects are presented to visitors in the heart of the Zoo’s wooden ark and demonstrate easily this highly important function of the Biblical Jerusalem institute.

: A white Noah’s Ark Resting over the Judea Mountains

While watching the ark situated in the heart of the Judea Mountains I recalled that the ark is also a symbol of longing for peace and quiet, a symbol of yearning for the end of a storm and the creation of a brand new world. This image is well described in and old poem by Ester Raab (as was translated by me).

I see

A white Noah’s Ark

Resting over the Judea Mountains:

And an eye still gazes

Upon corpses of many Icaruses.

Their body:

Both Seraph-angel

And a Satan

Beat their wings

Into swords –

And the eye gazes, awaiting

The furrower

And the vinedresser

The image of an ark on the Judea mountains and the semi-surrealistic sight of and ark in the middle of a zoo remind me that Yehuda Amichai once wrote that “Jerusalem is a port city on the shore of eternity…” (Yehuda Amichai, Poems of Jerusalem, p. 78). If the poet is right than the current location of the ark is wonderful, Second only to the Ararat Mountains. No doubt, the Jerusalem biblical zoo is the place to visit this week as we read the Parasha of Noah.

: Rhinoceros at the Biblical zoo

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קישור קבוע תגובות (1)

The weekly ‘Parasha’ in the streets of Jerusalem

The weekly Tora Portion or ‘Parasha’ is the heartbeat of the Jewish calendar. Every week, throughout the year, Many Jews and many others who are not Jews unite while reading and studying an ancient text. From hundreds of years, Reading the Parasha had made an enormous contribution to the spiritual Jewish assets. Today it is as relevant as ever and many dedicated religious people as well as non-practicing Jews feel it serves as an impotent source of inspiration.

For the past few years I have tried to study the Parash every week. Sometimes I only find a moment to read the Tora portion. Other times I read the text and then turn to a thorough reading of interpretations. No doubt that the regular studies influence me. I use my knowledge while guiding tours in Jerusalem, I often find myself thinking of what I have just read and sometimes I find myself talking about it with friends. Some people might think a Parasha is a thing for holy people. Why should I, a secular Jew who chose not to keep the Mitzvot, read the Parasha? I can hear the thoughts of some who would say “He is becoming more and more religious… and what next? A Kipa, a beard and tearing toilet paper before Shabat?” well, I have to say that is the way I am. The Parasha interests me not because it involves matters of holiness but because it has a lot to do with our day to day life. As a tour guide who specializes in Jerusalem I often try and look for the ways the Parasha is realized in the streets of Jerusalem. It might come as a surprise, but I can find an example for every single Parasha. Sometimes it can be a whole site. Other times I’ll find a modest piece of art. It can be a reference to the complete Parash or just a small citation of one of the verses. After a while of doing this I have decided to start a project that will reveal the way I experience the Parasha in the streets of Jerusalem. The next posts will include my ideas about all the Parashot. I must say that often you’ll find quite a few places that relate to the Parasha and while writing I had to choose. I thought it would be best that I write about places that are not so commonly known to the public or that their connection to the Parasha is not a trivial one. I am sure it is not always the best choice. You are welcome to write and share your thoughts, ideas and corrections.

To conclude I’d like to apologize. It is going to be a while before the project is finished. I’ll do my best to write as often as possible and I hope that your patience will prove worthwhile.

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