How Israel went from barren desert to global water powerhouse

by Michael Sax
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This one invention saved Israel, and has the potential to save the entire world. Israel’s water technologies are truly something to admire.

Can you find water in the desert?

With all the talk about Israel, one thing often overlooked is that it is largely located in the desert. Israel used to be an arid land. In fact, we have a traveler’s report from about one hundred and fifty years ago. Mark Twain, whose real name was Samuel Clemens, visited Israel. He recorded what he saw.  Twain wrote: “There is not a solitary village throughout its whole extent – not for 30 miles in either direction. There are two or three small clusters of Bedouin tents, but not a single permanent habitation. One may ride 10 miles, hereabouts, and not see 10 human beings.”

Additionally, Mark Twain said that Israel “sits in sackcloth and ashes. Over it broods the spell of a curse that has withered its fields and fettered its energies.”

Israel – then and now

So how did a forsaken land become a beautiful country? How did it change into a place with long life expectancy, high happiness index, and lush greenery?

As the Jewish people returned to their homeland, they worked very hard to bring life back to their ancestral land. As Israel was mostly desert, they focused on water technology. They focused on purifying the water they did have, and reusing it. As well, they investigated ways to use water in a more effected way. One result was desalination technology. Another result was that Israel invented drip irrigation technology.

Despite being in a desert, the Jewish people never gave up on their 3,000 year old dream to return to Israel. They continued to build the land and use water in better ways. In fact, Israel has become a world leader in water usage, and is glad to share information with other countries.

A sign from above

However, we know that it was not only the hard work that brought life to the desert. Israel is the Holy Land, which God gave to the people of Israel. In fact, the leading rabbi, Moses ben Nachman (Nachmanides), wrote nearly 800 years ago about Israel. He said that the Israel’s devastation “constitutes a good tiding, proclaiming that during all our exiles, our land will not accept our enemies… Since the time that we left it, [the land] has not accepted any nation or people, and they all try to settle it… This is a great proof and assurance to us.” Furthermore, he said that Israel will remain desolate until the Jewish People assume control. But when the people of Israel finally return to the land of Israel, the region will once again flourish thanks to Divine providence.

Today, Israel is flourishing. This is indeed a miracle from God.

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