In this episode I talk with Shay Rabineau about the historical and cultural significance of hiking trails in Israel. He shares his personal journey from curiosity about the land to academic research, exploring the dual nature of hiking as both a spiritual pilgrimage and an adventure. The conversation delves into the complexities of faith, identity, and the political implications of trail marking, as well as the emerging field of trailology, which seeks to understand trails beyond their recreational use. We also discuss Rabineau’s book, “Walking the Land: A History of Israeli Hiking Trails”.

Takeaways:

The first mapped trail network in the Middle East was created in Israel.

Hiking is seen as a uniquely Israeli activity, deeply tied to national identity.

The experience of walking can transform one's understanding of faith and spirituality.

Trails serve as symbols of ownership and connection to the land.

Walking allows for a deeper engagement with the landscape and its history.

Trail marking has both practical and political implications in Israel.

The definition of a trail is complex and multifaceted.

Trailology seeks to understand trails through various disciplinary lenses.

Walking can facilitate dialogue and connection between diverse groups.

Shay Rabineau is Associate Professor of Israel Studies and the Chair of the Department of Judaic Studies at Binghamton University. Much of his work focuses on the political and existential dimensions of hiking trails. His 2023 book, Walking the Land: A History of Israeli Hiking Trails explored how Israel's country-wide trail system took shape, with attention to the roles it has played in public school education, military conflict, environmentalism, territorial conquest, and civil-religious pilgrimage. For his current book project, he retraced the route of a 1934 trek around the Dead Sea in order to write about the area's changing physical and political landscape.