Othniel ben Kenaz

Feige Marks, Beit Shemesh, Israel

Fayga Marks has the courage of a lion and a very diligent search for truth.

Her 10+ years of trekking the less well known areas in Israel are steeped in experiential traveling events and seeing for ourselves the beautiful land of Israel.

 Her passion for Kever Yosef has been very predominate in her life, giving her, and many others from around the world, strength and clarity.

She also brings awareness of the many historic sites which have been unfortunately removed from the Jewish population’s access. Fayga sees how these areas can be easily forgotten and they unfortunately become unknown and left in ruin. “The importance of these areas to the history of the Jewish people and its land is not just a picture in a book—you can go there and see for yourselves. By seeing and connecting to these places in Israel, a deep thankfulness to our Creator emerges as we understand those who have come before us, even to the point of losing their lives for it.”

Fayga organizes trips to Kever Yehoshua ben Nun (Joshua’s tomb), Kever Caleb ben Yefune (the tomb of Caleb), Jericho, and many other precious places of our ancestors in Israel.

You can contact her at +972 54-942-2171.

            The first judge after the death of Joshua was Othniel ben Kenaz. Othniel was a nephew of Caleb, one of the twelve spies sent by Moses to scout out the land of Canaan. Othniel was a righteous and courageous leader who played a crucial role in delivering the Israelites from oppression.

After Joshua's passing, the Israelites fell into idolatry and were subjugated by Cushan-Rishathaim, king of Aram-Naharaim, for eight years. In their distress, the Israelites cried out to God for help. God raised up Othniel as the first judge of Israel to lead the people in battle against their oppressors.

Under Othniel's leadership, the Israelites were victorious over Cushan-Rishathaim, and the land had rest for forty years. Othniel's faithfulness, courage, and dedication to serving God and the people of Israel set a strong example for the subsequent judges who followed him.