Shabbat Shalom friends!  I want to return briefly to a feature we haven’t visited in a while: Innovation Nation.  Israel is a world leader in innovation. For example, technology in your cell phone was likely developed (partially or in full) in Israel.  Many computer chips trace their design back to Israeli researchers.  The drip system and many other agricultural advances have come from Israel.  Medical, military and other technology flourishes there.

Today, I want to focus on yet another innovation that has put Israel at the forefront: the desalination of salt water into drinking water.  However, before I go there, I want to introduce you to an Israeli concept that is ingrained in Jewish culture.  It is called tikkun olam, which means “repair of the world” by means of acts of kindness and giving.  The teaching is found in the Mishnah (Rabbinic teachings) and is a familiar tenet of Jewish life.  In other words, the Jewish people place great value on doing things that make the world a better place.

Now, consider the idea of “innovation nation.”  Israel innovates, not simply for their own benefit, but for the benefit of others around the world.  They are notorious for sharing their technology with those in need.  As an example, teams of Israeli agricultural masterminds have traveled to desert lands such as Africa to provide other cultures with the technical know-how to make crops grow in their arid regions.  They also cooperate with Jordan, their Arab neighbors to the east, to convert sea water into drinking water.

Here is an informative video about that process, and how Israeli innovation is once again putting Israel at the head of the class when it comes to providing water…and when it comes to making the world a better place.  Tikkun olam!  Enjoy!

PS: If you’ve stumbled upon this site, I invite you to browse, then visit again.  We’re in the midst of a Bible study entitled, Why Israel Matters: Rightly Relating to our Jewish Roots, and we’re learning how Christians are to view our Bible written by Jews, our Savior born a Jew, and our salvation brought through a Jewish Messiah!  So, pull up a chair and join us (almost daily) at the study table!