Lions and America
A book and a visit
As you may recall, a while ago I announced a new book that I am working on, about Biblical natural history and the significance of Israel. It has two distinct parts to it; the first part is essentially an elaboration of the Biblical Museum of Natural History tour, discussing the identities and symbolism and laws relating to the flora and fauna of the Torah, with a particular emphasis on how these can only be fully understood in the geographic context of the Land of Israel. The second part delves into the contemporary political discourse relating to this issue, with a focus on the settler-colonial vs. indigenous paradigm, along with responding to other ways in which Israel is attacked in areas that relate to wildlife.
Originally, I had announced the title of the book as Animal, Vegetable, Biblical. However, that did not go down well! A friend who reviewed the manuscript suggested that I use the title of one of the chapters: The Lions of Zion, which combines both the animal and Biblical element and has a nice ring to it. I like this idea, and that’s what I’m going with (unless someone comes up with something even better!).
Meanwhile, before recruiting a graphic artist for the cover, I decided to have another go with AI, this time with the new title and using a superior AI program (Adobe’s Firefly). I asked it to prepare a picture of a lion and cub walking in front of the ancient city of Jerusalem, and it came up with this spectacular result:
It’s not neccessarily the picture that we will use - I still want to experiment some more - but it’s astonishing that AI can do this sort of thing!
The book is currently being edited. If you’re a Rationalist Judaism subscriber, you’ll be notified when it’s released; otherwise write to office@BiblicalNaturalHistory.org.
Meanwhile, I’m coming to America! I’ll be spending the first Shabbos in March as scholar-in-residence at Kehilat Kesher in Englewood, followed by parlor meetings in Woodmere, possibly Brooklyn, and then Miami and possibly an event in Hollywood and Boca. If you’re interested in participating in any of these, please write to Ellen at advancement@BiblicalNaturalHistory.org.
I would drop the word " The " and just use "Lions of Zion " as the title . That is more symmetrical and rhymes better. Besides, the word " The " is redundant .
Ironic book cover and subject, because the dynamic between Israel and her surrounding Arab enemies has always reminded me of those National Geographic videos showing a couple lions being harassed by a pack of cowardly, murderous, and suicidally vicious jackals. The lions tolerate them for a little while until the lions have had enough; they then charge into the pack and snap a few necks. That settles things for a while until the next cycle . . .