Walk the Land: A Journey on Foot through Israel

Judith Galblum Pex
Cladach Publishing (2007)
ISBN 9780975961957
Reviewed by Tammy Petty Conrad for Reader Views (8/07)


Sam Nadler describes the author as “…a verbal camera,” with her lens pointed at the landscape of Israel. Given her skill, we learn to appreciate the beauty as well as the history of the land and the determination of the author and her husband, John, both almost sixty, as they set out to walk the entire Israel National Trail, or Shvil Israel. Their journey would last over forty days and take them almost 600 miles.

Hikers will appreciate the skill and strength required for this journey which averaged nine hours a day on the trail. Those of a religious background will value Judith’s faith and her referral to historical events from the Bible as she and her husband walked through the areas. I didn’t expect to learn about the variety of groups living in Israel and the diversity of believers and the openness to converted Christians. I feel that I not only learned about a great hike, but a country I would like to visit one day.

I also liked how she not only gave the history of their walk the length of Israel, but of her personal journey to become a Jewish Christian, or Messianic Jew. It is easy to see how strong her faith is as she reminds readers, “…I had come to equate using a map as our guide on hikes to using the Bible as my guide through life; I try not to go very far without either of them.”

Judith is detailed in her discussion of the type of terrain and the difficulties they encountered from climbing up steep mountains to avoiding flooded wadis or streambeds that were usually dry. But she also shows herself to be a philosopher comparing events on the hike to everyday life. “…I concluded that in life we also have mountains to climb. When we look at them from far away and concentrate on how tall they are, they seem impossible…but as we go up gradually, in the end we reach the summit. Then it all seems worthwhile and we’re glad we didn’t remain in the valley.” She calls these life parallels her “Lessons from the Trail” and the book is full of them. Just as it is easy to wander off a pathway, she explains we do the same in life sometimes straying from God’s plan. Again she comments that by “…using the Bible as my map, and my conscience as my compass, I have peace.”

Judith and her husband run a Shelter Hostel in Eilat in the southernmost part of the country. It is the kind of place where people in need can stay for a day, a week or even longer. The couple doesn’t miss an opportunity to share the story of their faith at the Shelter or along their hike. It was fun eavesdropping on the couple, hearing how they handled being lost or low on food or water. This trip was only for those with a strong marriage. “After thirty years…we knew each other better than we knew anyone else on the planet, but as a result of this journey, our relationship had developed in special ways.” Judith was a pillar of strength as she held her tongue more than once and never grumbled when John said, “Take a picture,” for what seemed like the thousandth time!

Color photographs document their journey and the rugged beauty of the countryside. They managed to stumble through almost every type of geography and climate. Sometimes there was no one on the trail for days, but towards the end they encountered many people, including a multitude of school groups. “We were like a pair of migrating storks who finally discover the rest of their flock.” In the last chapter, the author summarizes their motives for their journey, all admirable and inspiring. But I appreciated her last line the best. “I wondered what would be next.”

I can’t imagine a better tribute to your homeland or adopted country than experiencing it and the people who live in it by traveling on foot. “Walk the Land: A Journal on Foot through Israel” inspires me to think about such a journey in my own country. At least I have about fifteen years before my sixtieth!

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