In Hebrew, these small lizards are called smamit (שממית ,(and live harmoniously with humans. The gecko is small and defenseless, that is his weakness. He remedies this by making himself popular with humans. As geckos feed on insects, they provide us an invaluable service, especially during hot summer nights. They destroy flies, mosquitoes, spiders and other unsavory guests.

We named our gecko Gershon. He is still young and so curious that we have to be careful not to step on him. He is constantly showing up where he isn’t supposed to be. In the evening, he likes to stroll between the living room and the bedroom. We often meet one another on the stairs. Unlike other lizards, the gecko has a reputation for making itself heard. And, believe me, it is often easier to hear Gershon than to see him.

In the Bible, too, we find the gecko. We read in Proverbs 30:28: “The smamit climbs with her hands, but dwells in the palaces of kings.” Perhaps already in the time of King Solomon the...