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🇮🇱 Israel /Culture & Society

Hiking the Holy Land: Solitary creatures at the edge of the wilderness

From Jerusalem Post · (1h ago) English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • The author describes solitary early morning hikes in the Gush Etzion hills, observing nature before sunrise.
  • Red foxes have been particularly visible recently, with kits emerging from dens and parents hunting intensely.
  • The article reflects on the fox's solitary nature, contrasting it with Jewish values of community but ultimately finding its aloneness to be a practical adaptation rather than a character flaw.

There is a unique solace to be found in the pre-dawn hours, a quiet communion with nature that the author, Susannah Schild, captures beautifully in her reflections from the Gush Etzion hills. This personal essay, published in The Jerusalem Post, invites readers to step outside before the world awakens and experience the simple yet profound beauty of the natural landscape. The recurring image of the rising sun, the scent of spring flowers, and the quietude sets a contemplative tone, emphasizing a personal connection with the land.

No matter how dark it still is, no matter how tired I am, I find myself drawn out the door before the rest of the world is awake.

— Susannah SchildDescribing her personal motivation for early morning hikes.

The recent abundance of red foxes serves as a focal point for these observations. Schild notes their increased visibility, explaining it through their mating and birthing cycles, with kits emerging and parents working tirelessly to feed their young. This biological insight adds a layer of understanding to the encounters, transforming fleeting glimpses of wildlife into moments of appreciating the natural order. The fox, often mythologized as cunning or untrustworthy, is presented here through a lens of natural behavior and parental duty.

Lately, the foxes have been everywhere.

— Susannah SchildObserving the increased presence of red foxes.

From an Israeli perspective, these observations resonate deeply. The Gush Etzion area, rich in both natural beauty and historical significance, provides a fitting backdrop for such reflections. While Jewish tradition often emphasizes community and collective life, Schild's contemplation of the solitary fox offers a counterpoint, suggesting that aloneness, particularly in nature, can be a space for introspection and a different kind of fulfillment. The fox's solitary existence, driven by its hunting habits, is reframed not as a social failing but as an adaptation to its environment. This nuanced perspective encourages us to look beyond stereotypes and appreciate the diverse ways life unfolds, both in the wilderness and within our own communities.

So when I see a red fox crossing my path in the early morning, I’m watching a parent on the job.

— Susannah SchildExplaining the behavior of the foxes based on their life cycle.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Jerusalem Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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