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Simon says: "Let's meet the Umm Khalid Sycamore in Netanya"

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#imagineisraeltours #simonostertourguideisrael The Umm Khalid Sycamore, in Netanya On Mintz Street is one of Israel’s most remarkable natural treasures: an ancient sycamore tree that has witnessed over a thousand years of history Its trunk is about 8 meters in circumference, making it one of the oldest trees in the country Legend says it marks the burial place of Umm Khalid, mother of a 7th-century Muslim army commander, which is how the surrounding village got its name The tree appears in illustrations alongside a Crusader fortress built here by Roger the Lombard between the 11th-13th centuries, and it was already massive back then! Napoleon’s troops allegedly camped in its 25 meters of shade during their 1799 campaign Moses Montefiore’s wife Judith even mentioned it in her diary in 1839 Today, the tree stands in a lovely public park, bearing fruit that attracts thousands of bats at night. It’s a living link to the layers of history that make Israel so extraordinary - from the ancient...
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Simon says: "Let's meet Tilapia/ Amnon/ (אמנון), St. Peter's Fish"

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Tilapia/ Amnon/  (אמנון), St. Peter's Fish #ImagineIsraeltours #SimonOsterTourGuideIsrael In 1941, the first fish ponds were dug at Kibbutz Dan in the Upper Galilee, to raise carp & tilapia. In 1946, 2 more ponds were added, fed by the waters of the river Dan. What began as a modest food-growing initiative for a pioneering community, later evolved into something extraordinary. Founded in 1939, Kibbutz Dan was named after the ancient Israelite city of Dan mentioned in Genesis 14:14 & 1 Kings 12:29, as it sits in the territory of the ancient Tribe of Dan, at the foot of Mount Hermon in the Hula Valley. The tilapia raised in those early ponds carry a remarkable story of their own. In Israel it is known as amnon (אמנון), & to Christians around the world "St. Peter's Fish". The name comes from the Gospel of Matthew (17:24–27), where Jesus tells Peter to go fishing in the Sea of Galilee, promising that the first fish he catches would have a shekel coin in its mo...
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Simon says: Let's say hi to the rock hyrax (Procavia capensis) also known as rock rabbit

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#SimonOsterTourGuideIsrael #ImagineIsraelTours The rock hyrax (Procavia capensis) also known as rock rabbit At first glance, this little guy might look like a large guinea pig or a rabbit, but you’d never guess who its closest living relative is... the ELEPHANT! Here are 3 wild facts about the Rock Hyrax: Despite its size, the hyrax shares a surprising ancestor with elephants & manatees. Like its massive cousin, it has tiny tusk-like teeth & similar skull & toe structures He is a master of his rocky habitat, thanks to his rubbery, sweat-gland-covered feet that act like suction cups, allowing him to scale steep cliffs with ease. The Rock Hyrax is mentioned multiple times in the Bible. In Leviticus 11:5 it is described as unclean because it "chews the cud" but does not have a split hoof (though they aren't true ruminants, their digestive process looks very similar!) . “The high mountains are for the wild goats; the cliffs are a refuge for the hyrax” Psalm 104:18...
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Simon says: "Let's meet the Persian cyclamen, (cyclamenpersicum)

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#imagineisraeltours #SimonOsterTourGuideIsrael The Persian cyclamen, (cyclamenpersicum), known in Hebrew as the Rakefet (רקפת). This is Israel's national flower & one of the most well-known late winter sights in nature. Its delicate petals have inspired legends, songs, & even a hill named in its honour. The Rakefet carries a rich history of folklore. One legend tells that King Solomon wore a crown modelled after the cyclamen's distinctive shape, giving the flower its Hebrew nickname "Nezer Shlomo" (Solomon's Crown). Another tradition says that after the First Temple was destroyed, the flowers were so grief-stricken they bent their heads in sorrow - & will only lift them again when a son of David sits on the throne. In Christian tradition, the flower is associated with the Virgin Mary; its downward-facing blooms symbolise her grief, & its heart-shaped leaves represent her aching heart. Cyclamens bloom across Israel from January to early March, carpe...
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Simon says: "Let's meet Lacertidae- Mesalina bahaeldini (Mount Sinai Lizard)"

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Lacertidae- Mesalina bahaeldini (Mount Sinai Lizard) This small lizard is a member of the Lacertidae family & is found in the southern Sinai Peninsula & parts of Israel, & was named after herpetologist, Sherif Baha El Din Here are some cool facts about this desert dweller: It typically live above 600-1000 metres, favouring the rocky terrain of its namesake, Mount Sinai . Like many lizards, this species is oviparous, meaning it lays eggs . A female will lay a clutch of about 5 eggs a year. While it faces some threats like habitat loss from development & tourism, the IUCN currently lists its conservation status as 'Least Concern' Want to walk in the tracks of the Mount Sinai Lizard? Let’s Imagine Israel together! https://imagineisrael-tours.com 🛄TripAdvisor reviews https://shorturl.at/aIR47 Google Reviews: https://g.page/r/CRpU82ZCQ_-qEBE/review 📩 imagineisraelenquiries@gmail.com 📲phone/WhatsApp +972 54 2390412 #ImagineIsraelTours #SimonOsterTourGuideIsrael #M...
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Simon says: "Let's get to know the pomegranate (Punica Granatum)"

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The pomegranate (Punica Granatum)" A symbol of Israel, a gift of the land - & a tree I get to watch grow in my very own garden. - planted 19 years ago as a sapling. Every autumn when I crack open a pomegranate, I feel connected to generations of farmers & dreamers who did the same thing before me. In Israel, the pomegranate isn’t just a fruit, it’s a symbol, representing abundance, fertility, wisdom & the 613 mitzvot (commandments) in Jewish tradition. It appears in the Song of Solomon, adorns ancient Judean coins, can be found in synagogue mosaics in the Negev & Caesaria, on the 5 Agorot coin minted between 1976 & 1980 & on a modern 2-Shekel Coin, which is a direct replica of an ancient Jewish coin from 103–76 BCE (minted under King Alexander Jannaeus). The pomegranate was one of the 7 sacred species of the Land of Israel (Deuteronomy 8:8), alongside wheat, barley, grapes, figs, olives & dates. The rind & roots were historically used to produce a ...
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Simon says: "Let's meet the Black-winged Stilt (Himantopus himantopus)"

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The Black-winged Stilt (Himantopus himantopus) The Black-winged Stilt is one of the most easily recognizable waders at Ma'agan Michael Birdwatching Park. But did you know these three fascinating facts? *They have the longest legs relative to body size of any bird in the world (except flamingos). Those bright pink legs are perfect for wading through deeper water without getting their feathers wet! *The "Tuxedo" Look: Their stark black-and-white plumage provides excellent camouflage in the light of the marsh, helping them blend in with the water & reeds. * The Accidental Tourist: While they are a permanent resident in Israel, many Black-winged Stilts are migrants. In fact, the name Himantopus comes from the Greek word for "strap-foot," referring to their incredibly slender toes, which help them balance on soft mud without sinking. Next time you visit Ma'agan Michael, see if you can spot one standing on one leg -they do it to conserve energy & regulate ...
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