There is a particular brand of hubris that comes with moving into an old stone house in Tzfat during a downpour. It is the belief that a flat-packed, “some assembly required” pine bed frame—the kind designed for a climate-controlled suburban flat—can survive a Galilean winter.

Spoiler: It cannot.

A year ago, as the rain turned our courtyard into a makeshift mikvah, that cheap pine frame sat outside, absorbing the elements and warping into something resembling less a bed frame than “installation art.” It had already put up a fight; getting it to the bedroom required a Herculean effort that involved dismantling the wrought-iron railings on our stairs. To have it survive the ascent only to succumb to a few inches of rain felt like a personal insult from the heavens.

But necessity, especially in the Artist’s Quarter, is the mother of some very strange furniture.

Parked right next to the expiring pine were our hive boxes. Unlike the bed frame, these were built for the real world. While the pine was “barren” and defenseless, the hive bodies were rugged, weather-treated with marine varnish, and designed to withstand the temperamental shifts of the north. They didn’t warp; they waited.

In a fit of architectural triage, we performed a radical transplant. We salvaged the usable slats from the original frame and reinforced them within stacked hive bodies at each corner.

The result? A structurally sound—and certainly colorfully unconventional—sleeping arrangement.

The Apian Bedroom Suite: A Review

• Structural Integrity: This isn’t just a bed; it’s a fortress with underbed storage. If the pine frame was a frail Victorian poet, these hive boxes are the IDF artillery veterans of the furniture world. They don’t creak; they hold the line.

• The Aesthetic: It’s a look I call “Beekeeper Chic.” One corner offers a minimalist natural wood finish, while the others feature vibrant, hand-painted honeycomb motifs and floral stencils. It’s what happens when a carpentry disaster meets a creative emergency.

• The Practicality: Should we ever face another flood, the mattress might go, but the corners will be found centuries from now, perfectly preserved by that marine varnish.

There is a certain irony in sleeping atop the very vessels that usually house thousands of stinging insects. We haven’t had any uninvited guests yet, but - since it IS starting swarm season - I suppose if a swarm decides to move into the master bedroom, at least the foundation is already in place for, um, sweet dreams...

In Tzfat, you don’t just live in a house; you negotiate with it. And sometimes, the only way to win the negotiation is to sleep on a beehive.

Check out our Neshika Honey & BeeCentric Adventures and other bee-related products and family-friendly activities:

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The sticky, dark resin known as propolis is the honeybee’s most sophisticated architectural achievement. Beyond honey and wax, bees forage for these botanical exudates from Mediterranean trees and plants to seal, sanitize, and structurally reinforce the hive. It is, quite literally, the immune system of the colony.

We have just completed an artisanal, small-batch extraction of our Neshika Propolis Tincture, now available exclusively for in-shop pickup only in Tzfat at Yud Zayin Ln., 27 - just off HaPalmach between the bridge and the Saraya (look for the tzimmer signs, and ours, on the street).

We invite you to stop by, see the process behind our hive-to-bottle philosophy, and secure a bottle for your own needs:

For those who track the technical side of the apiary, this is a 40% concentration—a potent, stable extract designed to preserve the full spectrum of bioflavonoids the bees forage from our local trees.

Small Batch. In-Shop Only. Limited Supply.

Available Sizes & Pricing:

• 30ml Dropper Bottle: ₪ 60

• 3.2ml Pocket Spray: ₪ 10

• For a deeper dive into the role of propolis within the hive, you can read more here: Propolis: The Hive’s Protective Resin.

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Join our behind-the-scenes glimpse at a Neshika Honey Infusion Workshop and Bee Safari, an immersive two-hour taste journey in Israel’s northern Galilee. This video features a visiting couple from the U.S. and two nearby B&B Guesthouse operators as they discover how to infuse wildflower honey with regional flavors — and their own creative touch.

When you visit Tzfat, join one of our hands-on workshops. Infuse our raw, unprocessed honey with a tempting range of spices and herbs — each original blend capturing the season, the Land of Israel, and a touch of you.

Whether your taste runs sweet, savory, or even spicy, don’t miss Neshika’s BeeCentric workshops and bee safaris. Because at Neshika, every jar begins with a story — make this one your own.

Substack’s Stripe payment system isn’t available in Israel, so I’ve arranged an alternative for you to support my work. If you’re feeling generous, you can donate via PayPal (just click the “Coffee Fund” link or the photo). Not a fan of PayPal? No worries, shoot me a message, and I’ll provide another way. Thanks for reading Lens & Land: Dispatches from Israel ! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

Join us as we check for brood, listen to the hum of healthy hives, and talk about what it means to work with bees in the Galilee — where every frame tells a story of patience, partnership, and renewal.

This is Beekeeping 101 up close: the art and patience behind helping colonies grow, recover, and thrive. Perfect for curious beginners, honey lovers, and anyone who’s ever watched bees and wondered how their world works.

(Filmed in northern Israel’s Galilee region — where we keep our bees, share our honey, and learn from nature every day.)

(Filmed at Neshikha apiaries, Galilee, Israel.)

Substack’s Stripe payment system isn’t available in Israel, so I’ve arranged an alternative for you to support my work. If you’re feeling generous, you can make a donation via PayPal (just click the “Coffee Fund” link or the photo). Not a fan of PayPal? No worries, shoot me a message, and I’ll provide another way. Thanks for reading Lens & Land: Dispatches from Israel ! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

Nature, education, and hands-on fun come together in Tzfat’s one-of-a-kind Bee Safari! This short video gives you a taste of the buzz—perfect for families, tourists, and nature lovers. Hive suits, honey tastings, and unforgettable memories await! Details and booking: miri@neshikha.com

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NEW: Our Most Flavorful Honeys Ever – 12 Infusions from Neshika! 🍯—featuring bold, beautiful flavors like raspberry, peach, matcha, chai, vanilla, calendula, chamomile, and more.

Each small-batch jar is naturally blended with herbs, fruit, and floral notes.

Every one is handcrafted with raw Israeli honey, wild-sourced ingredients, and love from our Galilee hills.

🎥 Watch the video for more.

🛒 Explore the full line at neshikha.com/shop - coming soon!

📍 Made in Tzfat, shipped with care and 💯 percent love.

#NeshikaHoney #InfusedHoney #SupportLocalBeekeepers #TasteTheLand

While her candle was colorful, it didn't hold a candle to the intense character and sparkle in her eyes, which strongly popped in this black and white image.

One of my pleasures—alongside professional beekeeping and crafting small-batch artisanal honeys (and related sticky delights)—is photography. There's something deeply satisfying about capturing the spontaneous joy of families connecting, learning, and laughing together, especially when it’s happening right here at Neshika.com, our little slice of apiary heaven in northern Israel.

We offer a range of educational, immersive, and downright buzz-worthy experiences we call Bee Safaris—a safe and unforgettable way for kids and adults alike to suit up, peek into the hidden world of the hive, and meet the bees face-to-face through our observation hive. Below are some charming, unposed portraits from a recent family visit—moments of curiosity, bravery, and the kind of smiles you don’t need to tell people to say cheese for.

[All photographs and posts are with parental approval. A quick note for the fellow photography nerds (and the curious): all of these portraits and candid moments were shot using a Samsung S24 Ultra in 200MP Auto Mode. It’s become my go-to for field photography—sharp, responsive, and unobtrusive, even with bees flying around. I edited the images in Lightroom Mobile, mostly adjusting for warmth, contrast, and a touch of sharpening and tonal adjustments. No filters—just good timing, natural light, and subjects who were clearly having a great time -DB]

Big brother taking a close-up look as Beekeeper Miri explains what he's viewing in our display beehive.

Meanwhile, her big sister and little brother were enlightened in rapt attention as they illuminated our honeybee display hive.

Here, Beekeeper Miri explains to the fascinated family the hive castes: queen, workers, and drones; the different activities in the cells: honey and pollen storage, the stages of larvae growth; and the various roles each bee plays to maintain the colony.

Mom and son decorate the kiddush cup of a post-Shabbat havdalah set, to go along with the colorful hand-rolled candle, and hand picked fragrant besamim herbs.

Posing with bee veils, and a woven straw skep (a popular method of keeping bees several hundred years ago in Europe and England).

Another happy family at a previous Bee Safari.

Visiting northern Israel and looking for a great family experience? Contact miri@neshikha.com for details and booking.
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Substack’s Stripe payment system isn’t available in Israel, so I’ve arranged an alternative for you to support my work. If you’re feeling generous, you can make a donation or subscribe via PayPal (just click the “Coffee Fund” link or the photo). Not a fan of PayPal? No worries, shoot me a message, and I’ll provide another way.

My articles will remain accessible to everyone, but if you choose to contribute, know that it helps me keep doing what I love—bringing these stories to life. Your support means the world to me.

Cheers to the journey and every snapshot along the way. Keep the stories alive with your support, and let’s keep brewing the narrative together. Until next time, stay curious and connected.

Warm regards,

David Bender

Imagine living in strange lodgings for close to two years—with your children, your parents, your neighbors—because your home is inside a war zone.

No garden. No kitchen. No control over your own life.

Now imagine what happens when we show up with a few hives, beekeeper suits, and a box of raw Galilee honey.

We watch kids light up.

Parents exhale.

Soldiers smile for the first time in weeks.

Since just after October 7th, our family-run apiary has quietly offered hands-on bee safari workshops to internal refugees (mefunim) and soldiers (chayalim) all over the country. These aren’t just educational—they’re therapeutic, grounding, and often transformational.

But here's the truth:

👉 We’ve only been able to do a few of these workshops outside our home base.
👉 We’re a small, three-person artisanal family business. Time, travel, and setup costs make it hard to scale.
👉 The demand is growing. Communities are asking. We want to say yes—but we need help to get there.

🐝 Help Us Expand the Impact

We’re inviting you to be part of this. Sponsor a workshop.
Whether it’s for evacuee families, IDF units, or youth living under stress—it makes a tangible difference.

📍 Sponsor here:
https://neshikha.com/product/workshop-sponsorships/

📽️ Watch a short glimpse here:
https://www.facebook.com/reel/818343943086330

You’re not funding a big NGO bureaucracy. You’re empowering three people with hives and a mission to bring a spark of life, wonder, and sweetness to those living in its absence.

💛 Every workshop matters. Every donation helps.

If you’ve ever tasted raw honey, you know:
The smallest drop can carry the essence of a whole field.

Help us carry that essence—to where it’s needed most.

With gratitude and purpose,
Beekeepers Miri and Dave
Neshikha Bee Safari | Tzfat, Israel

Straight from our kitchen at Beit Neshika in Safed, we’re thrilled to share this year’s honey harvest with you. In this short video, we show how we hand-extract our golden Galilee honey, one frame at a time. Watch the process, meet the bees (sort of), and reserve your jar now.

Miri and I walk you through the slow, sacred process of bee-to-bottle extraction. Pure, raw, and hand-crafted—watch the video and get your taste of the Land of Israel.

From our hands to yours: small-batch, raw honey harvested in the hills of Safed.

Sometimes, beekeeping is epic. Other times, it's three quiet minutes of calm, intention, and careful action. Here's a glimpse into our world as Miri shifts our educational hive to accommodate growing brood and buzz inside and out. Growth means change. When our educational hive outgrew its box, we made room—not just for the bees, but for the people who come here to learn, laugh, and taste the sweetness of northern Israel.

[Please consider supporting my independent efforts to bring you accurate, timely, and reliable news and slivers of daily life here at ground level in Israel. Substack’s Stripe payment system isn’t available in Israel, so I’ve arranged an alternative for you to support my work. If you’re feeling generous, you can donate via PayPal.]

Visiting northern Israel this summer? Dive into a sweet journey: from honey infusion workshops to fun bee-related activities, we welcome families to a unique blend of education and entertainment.

Meet the bees, enjoy the buzz!

Join us at Neshikha in the heart of Tzfat's Old City for an extraordinary family adventure! Our workshop offers safe and engaging bee-viewing sessions—both outdoors and indoors—paired with fun creative activities like candle-making and crafting your own infused honey with aromatic herbs and spices.

It’s where education and hands-on fun come together in a tasty and nourishing environment.

Contact Miri@neshikha.com for details and booking today.

neshikha.com/shop
https://www.instagram.com/neshikabees/
Video: davidbrianbender.com | Compelling Photography

Join the Neshikha Bee Safari in Tzfat for a one-of-a-kind experience that’s educational, immersive, and full of honey. Calling all families, adventurers, and sweet tooths! Learn the art of beekeeping, taste raw honey, and leave with a newfound appreciation for these amazing creatures.

Learn the art of beekeeping, taste raw honey, and leave with a newfound appreciation for these amazing creatures.

Contact Miri@neshikha.com for details and booking.

Join Neshikha Beekeepers Miri and Dave as we embark on an exciting journey, transporting our beloved beehives to a stunning new location near Tzfat. Set among the picturesque rolling fields, verdant orchards, and ambling country roads of northern Israel's Galilee Panhandle, this move marks a fresh start amid the ancient Biblical vistas of the Land of Israel.

Witness our passion for beekeeping and artisanal products come to life in this beautiful setting. This move signifies a new chapter in our beekeeping journey, as we return to Jewish mysticism's ancient home.

Embrace our enthusiasm for beekeeping, natural honey and related products, and the timeless beauty of the Land of Israel.

#NeshikhaBeekeepers #TzfatRelocation #NewBeginnings #GalileePanhandle #BeekeepingPassion #ArtisanalHoney

Video: www.davidbrianbender.com | Compelling Photography
Products: Neshikha.com/shop
davebender.substack.com

Many thanks to Adam and our families; mentors and supporters, clients new and continuing, and you, our readers, viewers and friends worldwide.

Beeswax Candles for Hannukah: Light Up Hannukah with Neshikha’s Handcrafted Beeswax Candles: Celebrate the festival of lights with our new variety of pure beeswax candles, including Shabbat tapers and more! They're eco-friendly, smokeless and long-lasting, and add a special glow to your menorah or table setting! Here’s a glimpse at the process:

Mark Your Calendars: Visit Neshikha's booth at an array of exciting upcoming events! If you order your honey and candles online and pick up at the event, there's no shipping charge (...ok, and also we'd love to meet you in person to share our beekeeping buzz, info and lore)! Among the venues is the “Shuk Olim” event in Jerusalem:

• Nov 25th: Beit Shemesh "Mega Mall": Morning: 10:30-14:00 - Evening: 18:30-22:30 Beit Tefilla Hall, 34 Nahal Refaim St., RBS - A

• Dec. 26th: Beersheva "Street Happening": Smilansky Ave. Evening: 18:00 - 01:00

• Dec. 29th: Jerusalem "Shuk Olim": Evening: 18:00 - 22:00
  Nefesh B'Nefesh campus (Cinema City): Sderot Yitshak Rabin 10, Jerusalem

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  In times of challenge, we find strength in the unexpected. On the morning of July 7th, 2024, amidst the unrelenting missile barrage, we stood by our bees. No matter the circumstances, our commitment to the care of our hives remained unshaken. We are proud to introduce “Iron Dome Honey”—a unique, very limited edition honey harvested during this challenging time.
  

  This early-summer honey, rich with the nectar of native wildflowers that bloomed in June, captures the essence of resilience and the spirit of survival. Each jar of Iron Dome Honey is a rare treasure, representing the strength and determination that defines our beekeeping community.

  Why Choose Iron Dome Honey?

  – Limited Edition: This honey is truly one-of-a-kind, harvested under extraordinary circumstances.
  – Wildflower Nectar: Sourced from the beautiful native wildflowers that flourished in June, offering a rich, full-bodied flavor.
  – A Symbol of Resilience: Each jar embodies the strength and commitment of our beekeeping efforts, even in the face of adversity.

  We have a very limited supply, and once it’s gone, it’s gone for good. Don’t miss your chance to own a piece of history with this special edition Iron Dome Honey. It’s more than just a sweet treat—it’s a symbol of perseverance and the unwavering care we provide to our bees, no matter the challenges we face.

  Savor the taste of resilience.

  Available in 3 2 sweet sizes – 50g, 100g, and 200g. !
  
  Order here: https://neshikha.com/shop/

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Caught our “girls” (worker bees are all female) as they practiced their roles as honey sommeliers, as they were scavenging honey from a tablespoon after we cleaned our equipment, post-extraction:

Dive into the buzzing world of Neshikha honey, where Miri and Dave, our beekeeping pros, guide you through a honey extraction adventure that’s as fun as it is fascinating.

Golden Harvest: Watch as Miri expertly lifts frames heavy with glistening honey, a sweet testament to our bees’ hard work.

Uncapping Magic: With a flick of the fork, Miri unveils the honey, its aroma a heady promise of the sweetness to come.

Spin Cycle: Dave spins the extractor into action, flinging honey from comb to collector in a golden whirl.

Purity in Motion: Dave oversees the honey’s flow through filters, ensuring each drop is as pure as the Galilea air.

Bottling Buzz: It’s bottling time! Miri fills each jar with care, capturing the essence of our vibrant land.

Seal of Approval: Miri secures each jar, her touch a guarantee of the quality within.

When you twist open a jar of Neshikha honey, you’re not just tasting sweetness—you’re joining a our homemade legacy of 100 percent love and nature.

Hit subscribe on our YouTube page to follow more sweet adventures with Neshikha! 🌼🐝💛

Visit neshikha.com/shop for your own honey fix!

We're artisanal, small-batch beekeepers, and ship abroad for those interested in our Iron Dome Honey, harvested - literally - under Hezbollah rocket fire during the war from our beehives here in northern Israel:

And—if that wasn’t enough—after the harvesting, extraction, and bottling stages, and during my marketing photo shoot, this happened:

Meanwhile, please feel free to share this post, subscribe, and help support my efforts to bring you accurate, sourced reporting, and close-up-and-personal slice-of-life scenes here in northern Israel and our Life on the Border - thank you for your consideration:

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Join the Journey - Subscribe for Unfiltered Narratives & Timeless Photography:

Substack’s Stripe payment system isn’t available in Israel, so I’ve arranged an alternative for you to support my work. If you’re feeling generous, you can donate via PayPal.

My articles will remain accessible to everyone, but if you choose to contribute, know that it helps me keep doing what I love—bringing these stories to life. Your support means the world to me.

Keep the stories alive with your support, and let’s keep brewing the narrative together. Until next time, stay curious and connected.

Warm regards,
David Bender

Chana Koenig’s story is both heart-wrenching and inspiring:

The founder and owner of www.cocoahagalil.co.il, Chana is a US-born gourmet chocolatier living and thriving in seaside Nahariya in northern Israel.

For the last 11 months, she and tens of thousands of residents in the vicinity have endured near-incessant aerial attacks by Hezbollah-launched exploding UAVs and rocket fire.

Despite her coming under a lethal drone strike just pre-interview, Koenig says she's safe and will continue to bring joy to people with her succulent hand-crafted specialty chocolates.

Part of her mission is now collaborating with Neshikha.com Honey to co-produce a range of tempting Rosh Hashana gift baskets, that inspire joy and resilience, despite the war raging around her.

Bees buzz, rockets roar—Chana Koenig thrives. Witness her collaboration with Neshikha Honey, infusing life’s chaos with sweetness. 🐝🍫

https://www.cacaohagalil.co.il/shop
https://www.instagram.com/cacao_hagalil/

neshikha.com/shop
https://www.instagram.com/neshikabees/
Video: davidbrianbender.com | Compelling Photography

Harvesting Hope: These brave beekeepers understand that even in war zones, nature persists. They nurture their bees, ensuring the delicate balance of pollination continues. Honey—the sweet product of resilience—becomes a symbol of survival.

Frontline Guardians: Miri and Dave tend to their charges, knowing that their bees play a vital role beyond honey production. Amidst conflict, these tiny creatures pollinate flowers, sustaining life in a scarred landscape.

Join us as we delve into this glimpse of beekeeping on the edge—a story that reminds us that even in the noise of war, there’s room for growth, sweetness, and the buzz of hope.

Follow us and place your order for our artisanal, raw, and unprocessed honey: neshikha.com/shop

In the original version of this post, “Beekeeping Under Fire: A Tale of Resilience in Northern Israel” I described facing the dual challenges of tending to our hives and protecting our livelihood amidst Hezbollah rocket attacks in northern Israel. 🐝🇮🇱

Update: The Iron Dome Honey Harvest:

In these trying times, resilience and dedication shine through every challenge. On the morning of July 7th, 2024, under the protective umbrella of the Iron Dome, our steadfast commitment to our bees prevailed. The result? A remarkable, limited edition of “Iron Dome” honey, harvested during a missile barrage. We invite you to assist us in extracting what will be a small, potent batch of honey.

We’ll suit you up for an A-to-Z immersive bee experience, and make sure you take home some liquid history in a jar.

Workshop Highlights: Hands-On Experience: Learn the step-by-step process of extracting honey, guided by expert beekeepers.

Floral Symphony: Understand how the diverse wildflowers of early summer contribute to the rich and varied taste of our honey.

Community Resilience: Hear the inspiring story of our bees and the unwavering care we extend to them, no matter the circumstances—just as each honeycomb cell encapsulates the nectar from a single type of blossom.

Spaces are limited and reservations are required. This activity is suitable for ages 12 and up and much of it takes place outdoors. Pricing is based on group size.

Can’t make the event, or living abroad? As an alternative, we welcome you to sponsor one of three planned extractions.

To register, sponsor, and get more details, please contact https://neshikha.com/contact-us/

Update: reports of a man injured by falling rocket debris in a kibbutz just north of Tzfat; he's in stable condition, according to Army Radio.

Several brush fires were sparked by red-hot falling debris in several areas, including near Tiberias, but firefighters were able to douse them.

Hezbollah, in a statement to their mouthpiece, al Manar:

"As an initial response to the elimination of al-Attar the martyr, we launched more than 40 missiles towards the occupied territories."

In response, the IDF is reportedly striking Hezbollah targets in several areas of southern Lebanon.

More reports of beekeeping under fire:

And we thought we were just going to look at clever #graffiti wall murals and find fellow #beekeepers... 

From a year back:
'Bee'ing There': #beekeeping at the bleeding edge: @neshikhabees Beekeeper Miri and I took an afternoon jaunt up and down winding country roads on a short visit to this small farming village, Shtula - roughly "Implanted" - along the Lebanon border to see the optimistic graffiti murals spray painted along the Israeli side of the bulletproof concrete - and, hopefully, rocket-proof barrier.  While Miri kept her eyes peeled for #pollinators, and I filmed, #IDF jeeps patrolled the #security road. Meanwhile, #Iran openly threatens to up nuclear processing and military escalation against #Israel via #Hezbollah - ensconced less than a mile away from where we stood, barely within Israel along the temporarily quiescent border with #Lebanon.  Elsewhere, the US and the West wring their hands and blather at feckless #JCPOA nuke sanctions talks in Vienna, teetering on failure.  In Washington, Israeli Defense Minister, #BennyGantz, and Mossad chief, David Barnea, are in a last-minute effort to convince President #Biden and senior officials to quit the talks, which #Israel charges are only a ploy by #Tehran to buy time before they can achieve a #nuclearweapon.  But - at ground level and closer to home, things are far more pastoral, despite the fact, that Iranian proxy-dug #terrorist attack tunnels beneath residents in this sleepy village.   Around us, Israel's heavily-drilled elite #IDF units, and, abroad, the #Mossad ramp up forces, strategies, and tactics against multi-pronged attempts to "annihilate" in the recent words of a top Iranian military official, the #Jewish State. But, despite the fast-escalating international tensions, at ground level, serenity.  And we thought we were just going to look at clever #graffiti wall murals and find fellow #beekeepers...

Join the Journey - Subscribe for Unfiltered Narratives & Timeless Photography:

Substack’s Stripe payment system isn’t available in Israel, so I’ve arranged an alternative for you to support my work. If you’re feeling generous, you can make a donation or subscribe via PayPal (just click the “Coffee Fund” link or the photo). Not a fan of PayPal? No worries, shoot me a message, and I’ll provide another way.

My articles will remain accessible to everyone, but if you choose to contribute, know that it helps me keep doing what I love—bringing these stories to life. Your support means the world to me.

Cheers to the journey and every snapshot along the way. Keep the stories alive with your support, and let’s keep brewing the narrative together. Until next time, stay curious and connected.

Warm regards,
David Bender 

"It's life Jim - but not as we know it." (Dr. Leonard McCoy - "Bones" - to Cap't Kirk on Star Trek, on discovering alien life) - or, in an older translation: ""מָה רַבּוּ מַעֲשֶׂיךָ ה', כֻּלָּם בְּחָכְמָה עָשִׂיתָ" "How manifold are your works, O Lord, all of which you have done wisely."

Beekeeper Dave took a peek into one of our #beehives and was entranced by the colony-building activity on the feeder board and had to grab some shots as they built out their burr comb (self-created honeycomb usually found on the outside edges of the rectangular frames within the beehive).

Normally, you'd clean this off before the structure gets this complex and let the bees scavenge the wax, propolis, and other nutrients from it elsewhere, usually, set outside the hive - or, in this case - on the feeder tray.

But it's so mysteriously beautiful and their ability to collaborate and build such perfect "alien" - looking structures is entrancing - even for experienced #beeks, and - for me, at least - attests to higher meaning, and innate wisdom in and above the world, and strengthens my own spirituality, and observance - in the literal and religious sense of the word.

In the words of American anthropologist and philosopher, Loren Eisley (who - FWIW - was a big influence on my inner world in high school), "The truth is, however, that there is nothing very 'normal' about nature. Once upon a time, there were no flowers at all." - The Immense Journey (1907-1977).

Which, as pollinators extraordinaire, is as well know, where the honey and wild bees come in.

I mean, don't take this sight for granted; imagine we're seeing this directed eusocial (Google it) colony activity through the James Webb telescope on a planet hundreds of light years away. Would we understand what we're seeing? Would we marvel in stupified wonder, or shrug - "Ick! Stingy bugs!" and move on?

So I left the burr comb in place and gently closed the lid of the beehive, and left the workers to continue getting their buzz on, in the dark (did I mention they built this perfection in total darkness and communicated instructions via pheromones and vibration?)

I'll check in on them as their own internal life develops, hopefully in parallel with mine as we enter Shabbat and ready our own internal world for Rosh Hashanah.

Shabbat Shalom.

Shot on a Samsung #s22ultra in #expertraw Mode, and edited in #LightroomMobile. Follow me on my website and Facebook page for more unique Israel-based #smartphonephotography #mobilephotography and #videography galleries and more: www.davidbrianbender.com Dave Bender: Compelling Photography

#beestagram #beekeeping #beekeeper #beelife #beekeeperslife #beekeepersofinstagram #pollinators #pollinatorsofinstagram #honeybees #honeycomb #beephotography #macrophotography #s22ultraphotography #s22ultrapics #withgalaxy #macro_brilliance #macrocaptures #israelnature #israel_instagram #ig_israel #instaisrael #israel_photographers