Nahal Tziv'on

Nahal Tziv'on (Wadi Tsubi'a; also known as Lion Cubs Stream. (Hebrew: נחל צבעון)) is an intermittent stream located in the Upper Galilee and is one of the tributaries of Nahal Dishon.

Zev Vilnai writes that the name Tziv'on was given to match the Arabic name of the wadi, "Wadi Tsubi'a." He suggests that it might be named after the word "dubb" (in Arabic: ضبع), which means hyena.^[1]

The stream is located near Safed, at the foot of Mount Tziv'on and Mount Qela'an, on which the settlement of Tziv'on is named after the stream. The stream drains the northern slopes of Mount Meron and, together with Nahal Aviv and Nahal Gush Halav, flows into Nahal Dishon.^[2][3]

Near the stream runs the Israel National Trail. One can hike along the trail descending along the stream to the Bar'am Forest and Nahal Dishon. The trail crosses Nahal Bar'am.^[2][3]

According to a tradition first documented by Rabbi Menachem Ha'Hevroni in the 13th century, the tomb of Esther and Mordechai is located in the heart of a dense Mediterranean forest in the stream's channel, where it was customary to hold Purim celebrations. At the site, there is a plaque on a pile of stones with the inscription: "The burial place of Mordechai and Esther (may their merit protect us)." The location of the tomb is disputed.^[4]