VISION
Preserving the Ancient Land of the Eitam
Our goals are to make this Biblical land into a sustainable, eco-friendly sheep farm that will return these ancient hills to its former prosperous state of vegetation while continuing our Jewish presence. The farm will serve as a center of Torah and a base for the growth of a new community. It is a place where people can authentically connect to their roots in a powerful way while connecting with all walks of life.
ABOUT THE EITAM
The Eitam is a Biblical city in the Judean Hills. It was referred to as “the Eitam Rock'' on account of its rocky hills, aqueducts and stone quarries that still are functional today. This is the area that Samson fled to after provoking the Philistines and where he slew myriads of the enemy. It, also, was an area considered for the First Temple on account of its location and access to water (Zevachim, 54B). Later, during Rehobaum’s reign (son of King Solomon), he developed the Eitam into a walled city in conjunction with Bethlehem and Tekoa, which are nearby.
Josephus mentions the Eitam as follows: "There was a place situated two blades (7 miles) from Jerusalem, pleasant and rich in orchards and streams of water as well. There, King Solomon would ride in his chariot” (Jewish Antiquities 8, 7, 3). Both the Jerusalem and Babylonian Talmuds mention the Eitam as a higher place from which water would flow to the Temple (Bavli Yoma 31A, Yerushalmi Yoma 3).
OUR SHEEP
We received our first flock on Erev Rosh Hashana. This was extremely meaningful for us as the prayers for the holiday season mention God counting His people as sheep.
There are currently 35 ewes (young female sheep) and 14 male sheep that enjoy grazing in our large open area. We will use best practices, both modern and Jewish law, to take care of our flock. In the next few years, we plan on growing from tens to hundreds of sheep that will help with securing our presence and reforestation. Feel free to come by to help with grazing or learning about Jewish law in relation to farm life. If you can, please consider helping us grow the flock by buying sheep!