This is a black and white photograph from Kibbutz Ein Harod. The photograph was taken on a Shabbat in 1963 and shows members of this secular kibbutz enjoying their day of rest by paddling and swimming in the spring located near the kibbutz. The kibbutz’s fields can be seen in the background with Mount Gilboa in the distance.
Kibbutz Ein Harod is situated in the Jezreel Valley in the north, which has a very hot climate. This is probably one of the reasons for the popularity of the spring at a time when the kibbutz presumably did not have a swimming pool. Since, at that time, kibbutz children lived apart from their families in special children’s houses, Shabbat was designated as quality family time, as can be seen in the photograph.
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Kibbutz Ein Harod – Kibbutz Ein Harod is located in the Jezreel Valley near the Harod spring. The area is mentioned in the Bible in the Book of Judges (Shoftim):
Early next day, Jerubbaal—that is, Gideon—and all the troops with him encamped above En-harod, while the camp of Midian was in the plain to the north of him, at Gibeath-moreh.
The kibbutz was founded in 1921 by Russian pioneers as part of HaKibbutz HaMeuchad (United Kibbutz Movement), which was associated with the socialist party and the Habonim youth movement. In 1952, the kibbutz split into two over ideological differences: one kibbutz aligned with the Mapai party and the other with Mapam. Today, although remaining separate, both kibbutzim are members of the United Kibbutz Movement and live off agriculture, tourism, and small businesses.
Shabbat – Shabbat is the Jewish name for Saturday, the Jewish day of rest. According to Jewish tradition, this day commemorates the final, seventh day of God’s creation of the world. Shabbat is observed from just before sunset on Friday night until the appearance of three stars on Saturday night. The Talmud devotes an entire tractate to the rules of Shabbat and derives 39 types of forbidden activities. These include using electricity, writing, and other actions that are considered forms of creating. Shabbat is, instead, a day for family, community, prayer, and reflection. Traditionally Shabbat is ushered in by lighting candles, reciting the blessings over wine, Kiddush, and over the two loaves of special Shabbat bread, challah, and enjoying a festive meal. Shabbat is marked in the synagogue by a special additional prayer, known as Musaf, and the reading of the weekly Torah portion. The end of Shabbat is marked by the Havdalah ceremony. In Israel, secular Jews also enjoy Shabbat by eating Friday night dinner with their family and friends and spending time together in the countryside or on the beach. Most workplaces are closed on Shabbat.
