Lutz Go Touring

19/03/2024

I'll let you in on one trade secret: I love running🤫. It's a cheap mode of transportation🚌, it doesn't get restricted during war☮️🎗️ or pandemics, and it will make you feel better in the worst of days🤗.
I invite you to explore Jerusalem with your feet 🏃🏃🏃🏃 and join me and on a running tour. We'll be here waiting for you.
Arrange for your running tour by WhatsApp📞:
+972-525-600-134
Or contact me by DM 📬 for any questions you might have.
🤠
#ריצה #טיול #סיוריםבעברית #סיוריצה #רציםונהנים🏃 #ירושלים #בוקר #גשם #מרגישכמוחלום #כיף

04/06/2022

Ascending via the Roman ramp in 37°C is no joke 🥵 but these folks are handling it like natives🇮🇱. I'm super happy to have lead my first trip🥳. I hope that this trip was as significant and eye opening as I experienced it🤩. May I see you all in Jerusalem rebuilt🤗
Follow me to see more adventures in Israel🖼️
I am available on WhatsApp📞 +972-52-560-0134 or by a DM✉️
🤠
😊 #מצדה #יוספוספלביוס #מדבריהודה #עלייה #חכםבשמש☀️ #תגלית #מצור #מצוק #הליכה #ציונות

07/01/2022

Bible Walk: To the field of Blood

Next Tuesday, January 11th, we are heading to the valley of the Son of Hinnom, on the outskirts of the old city Jerusalem.
We'll meet up at the Jaffa Gate, and from there we'll head generally downhill, to the lowest point of the city of David. From there we'll head to Zion gate, and there we finish
The tour will last about 4 hours.

Bible Walk: Into the King's valley

Next Saturday, January 15th, we are heading to the King's valley, in order to touch upon Biblical themes from different angles. We will do some Bible readings, and we'll discuss the spiritual geography of the outskirts of the city.
We will also pay some attention to the Weekly Torah portion, that is

We'll go through the Kidron brook, through the Necropolis, and we'll end up at the Dung gate.
The trip starts at 10:00, and are planning to finish by 14:00.

Participation fee is 50 NIS for each event.
Please register with Anton by phone or WhatsApp, by the number 052-5600134

P.S.
Bring Your Bible

09/11/2021

“And G-d said: 'Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.'” 🌅(Genesis 1:6)
Kayaking at the Bethsaida delta is a perfect combination of exercise and vacation🛶, and furthemore is gives you lots of topics for conversation.🙊 Although in the same area there are plenty of places one can walk, this time we decided to row, and get connected to the watery environment .🏞️
Put a 💙 if you like traveling off the beaten track, and Follow me😊 to see more of our tiny country🇮🇱
Send me a DM 📬 to book a tour, or contact me by WhatsApp📞:
+972-52-5600134
🤠
#טבע #סירה #קיאק #חופש #טיולשבת #מים #קיץ #זאכי #משושים #שפךהירדן

28/04/2021

⭐NEW! ⭐ A Biblical tour down through the Valley of the Son of Hinnom!🔥🔥 In this tour we will explore the grim reality of Sacrifices in this area during the times of the Bible📖, discuss Judas' Akeldama, and what it all has to do with Salvation👐 Join me, and don't forget to
Follow me👣 to keep updated for the coming available tours, and share it to your friends↗️♥️
You can contact me by DM ✉️ for inquiries about the tour, or book your tour now via WhatsApp 📞
🤠
#טיולבארץ #תנך #בריתחדשה #גיא #גיאבןהינום #קרבןפסח #נוצרי #משיחיים #מסיירים #סיורלימודי

09/03/2021

This is the best bouquet of flowers I could present to Maya. One that is far enough from her as to not cause an allergic reaction, and that is still connected to the ground.

11/01/2021

Mar Elias monastery is what's remaining of a network of Byzantine monasteries⛪ in the vicinity of Jerusalem. This one stands right on the way to Bethlehem🌟, right on the path of Mary and Joseph before the nativity, but it's also on the way to the Herodium, from which one can access the desert. According to some Christian tradition, Prophet Elijah fled through this very place from Jezebel's persecution. And the monastery is named after him.
Its decoration is absolutely stunning, and one can visit free of charge, when there isn't a lockdown.

Between 1948-1967, there wasa Jordanian military position here, bordering Jerusalem from the South-east and the Kibbutz Ramat Rachel. In September 23rd 1956, Jordanian troops opened fire at an Archaeological convention in Ramat Rachel, killing four of the visitors on the spot. After the six day war this hill, adjacent to the Mar Elias monastery, was named "the hill of the four" in memory of this event.

With all that in mind, I went for an uphill running training there. That should be a good preparation for the upcoming running tours🏃‍♂️🏃‍♂️🔜

27/12/2020

"Combine the Healthy with the Pleasant" (mom).

After disappearing for a while I am happy to announce that I've successfully finished the Running Trainers course in the Wingate Institute.
Once this lockdown ends, you should come run with us in Jerusalem.

30/10/2020

May this be a Peaceful Shabbat!

20/10/2020

“And if you will indeed obey my commandments that I command you today, to love the Lord your God, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul, he will give the rain for your land in its season, the early rain and the later rain, that you may gather in your grain and your wine and your oil." (Deuteronomy 11:13-14)

The terms "first rain" and "latter rain" have actual names in Hebrew: Yoreh and Malkosh, respectively.
The reason for it is that the Climate in the land of Israel is Mediterranean, which results in there being a dry season in the summer, and a rainy season in the winter, and thus the local agricultural year is in sync with the Feasts of the Lord, which are describes in Torah.

On the day of atonement, which is the holiest time of the year in the Jewish calendar, the High priest would go into the Holy of Holies, and he would pray in the outer chamber a short prayer of this content: "May it be Thy will, God our Lord, that this year be full of heavy rains. And if it is hot, let it be full of heavy rains." (Babylonian Talmud, Tractate Yoma 53:2).

Truly it's a rare sense of bliss to experience the First rain. A highly spiritual event, that doesn't have a date determined for it in your calendars. It starts when it starts, and then for half an hour everyone stops fighting each other online and start sharing love.

In the picture: today's Yoreh, a view from Mount of Olives, thanks to the photographer Charles.

15/10/2020

Lovely little bridge, in a tranquil hidden place. ❤️

06/10/2020

The Lord's prayer, written in Aramaic (Syriac script) on leather. It's written down by hand by father Boulus from the Syriac monastery of St. Mark in Jerusalem.🤩🤩

02/10/2020

The Golan Heights and mount Hermon have been controlled by Syria until June 1967. If you ask your Google, this territory belongs to Syria to this day. The political argument around this subject is quite interesting but nuanced, so I wonder if I should elaborate on it some time. 🤔
In any case, the city I'm in, is called Kiryat Shmonah. For those 18 years, between its establishment and until the six day war (June 1967), it was placed right in front of the Syrian army on the Golan heights. During that period the Syrian army would shell all the towns within reach, and especially those around the Kinneret, thus directly threatening anyone living in the area.
In 1973, on the Day of Atonement, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, a day that is observed sometimes even by secular jews, which also fell on Saturday, the combined forces of Egypt and of Syria launched a surprise attack on Israel in the Sinai Peninsula and on the Golan heights.
Despite initial successes on both fronts, the Syrian and Egyptian forces were pushed back by the IDF, and retreated far into Syrian territory.
It's difficult to say what really made Israel withstand an attack by an outnumbering enemy who also has the initiative. Was it the Israeli reserve units who assembled fast and entered combat in full haste, or it was the American direct military aid that we're using to this day, or perhaps it was a miracle?
Once the sky is open you can come and explore Galilee with me. Until then, share and comment 😁

Happy feast of Tabernacles!

23/09/2020

In the early years of the state of Israel, in the 50s and the 60s, the soviet government supplied Syria and Egypt with military equipment and training. The very same tanks that had initially fought against N**i Germany would later deployed to fight the Jewish state.⚔️
In 1968, After the Six Day War, the artist Yigal Tomarkin designed this sculpture, called Big Chief, using three captured Syrian SU100 (soviet production, ww2 grade tank destroyers), they are colored in the three primary colours and appear to tow an assemblage made of fi****ms of different types.
This choice of colors is meant to make the deadly war machines look rather like dangerous toys.🔫🌈 Funny enough, this choice of colours resonates well with the children's park and slides in the background.
Big Chief is supposed to express the victory of the Human spirit over violence. Interestingly, the local memorial for WW2 veterans, is placed 30 yards away from the tank destroyers.

Share with me your thoughts about it! ❤️🙏

13/09/2020

Most Chapels are closed and so are our faces, but our hearts are open. ❤️ The events of Yeshua's last day leading to the crucifixion have been remembered throughout the centuries in their details. Millions of pilgrims have come to walk this path, and many more, who haven't been able to walk the path physically, walk it spiritually in lots of churches around the world.⛪
These events are tightly linked to the celebration of Pesach, and we can learn a lot from this relationship.✡️ I offer a fun Jewish way of reading the biblical text and I am certain you will discover a thing or two you haven't noticed before.

Share it to your friends so, they can walk with me once the pandemic is over🙏

11/09/2020

We remember you.

Israel's 9/11 Memorial lights up in Jerusalem. This memorial is the only monument outside of the United States which lists the names of all the victims. May they rest in peace.

Israel commemorates this horrific day together with America. 🇺🇸

07/09/2020

"Ever since the establishment of the temporary government, we have put the care for the peace, the security and the commercial strengthening of Jerusalem in the centre of our attention. In the tempest of war, when Jerusalem was under siege, we were forced to settle the government temporarily in the Qiryah, next to Tel-Aviv, however the State of Israel had and will have but one capital - timeless Jerusalem. So it has been since 3000 years ago, and so it will be, as we believe - till the end of all generations.
Immediately as the fighting has ceased we began moving the government offices to Jerusalem and to create the needed conditions for a capital: proper roads, and commercial and technical arrangements. We are continuing to move the government offices to Jerusalem, and we hope that the move will be completed soon." (Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion, 96th sitting of the first Knesset, December 13th 1949)

Jerusalem has been declared the capital of Israel formally in December 1949. By the end of that month, all of the government and the parliament have moved into Jerusalem.
Different countries recognising Jerusalem as the capital of Israel shouldn't be a big deal, just as it shouldn't be a big deal that humans normally have two arms, however certain countries try to pressure other countries not to recognise Jerusalem as what it is, as if it has anything to do with the West Bank or the Palestinians. It doesn't.

27/08/2020

One of the most interesting sites of Southern Jerusalem is Ramat Rachel, which is a Kibbutz that grew to be enclosed by Jerusalem on all sides. This is as close as the Egyptian army got to conquering Jerusalem during the war for independence. For the next 19 years it would be part of the borderline between Israel and Jordan.
On it archeologists found an ancient Biblical period Palace, that may have been the Palace on Nehemiah, the governor of the Persian Yahud province.🏰
I would claim that this is also the spot from which Abraham observed mount Moriah, before the binding of Isaac: "On the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw the place from afar. Then Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; I and the boy will go over there and worship and come again to you.” (Genesis 22:4-5)

Come with me to Ramat Rachel to find what else this place has to offer

27/08/2020

One of the most interesting sites of Southern Jerusalem is Ramat Rachel, which is a Kibbutz, that is enclosed by Jerusalem on all sides, where the Egyptian army was stopped during the war for Independence, and that has been a borderline area for the next 19 years.
On it was found an ancient Biblical period Palace, that may have been the Palace on Nehemiah.🏰
I would claim that this is also the spot from which Abraham observed mount Moriah, before the binding of Isaac: "On the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw the place from afar. Then Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; I and the boy will go over there and worship and come again to you.” (Genesis 22:4-5)

Come with me to Ramat Rachel to find what else this place has to offer

07/08/2020

Follow me on an adventure, as we go through a dense natural forest, flowing brooks and crusader castles in Galilee!

27/07/2020

Went out on a short trip down the Red Ascent (Ma'ale Adumim road) with the talented Niki Carmel, and what better way is there to finish the trip than to go swimming in an oasis?

29/06/2020

20/04/2020

After over a month at home, these places that I love get elevated to a new level of beauty in my eyes.
Say hello to the Arbel Valley and to the Mount of the Horns of Hattin

04/04/2020

Today, this Shabbat, is the 10th Day of the First Month (Aviv). This date is the date, when the Sons on Israel needed to take a Lamb per a household, when in Egypt, as is told in Exodus 12, and it is also the date, when the Sons of Israel finish Crossing the Jordan, in Joshua 4.
That means now they have 4 more days before Pesach, they camp on the Eastern Edge of Jericho, at a place they would call the Gilgal (maybe that's Tel Jaljul), and they, right in front of an Enemy they are going to fight against soon after that, they do circumcision. To everyone, that would mean people between 8 days old and 40 years old. And then after the feast they would lay the siege on Jericho.

There is another Biblical story that connects to circumcision and war, and that is the story from Genesis 34. There Shchem son oh Hamor is convinced by Jacob's sons that they would agree to view Shchem's people as their relatives if they circumcise every male. All that, of course is done without anesthesia, and it hurts. Then on the third day Jacob's sons, Simon and Levi take up their swords and kill Shchem's kin.

So we can think what the Sons of Israel are feeling at the time they need to march around Jericho. There is something Heroic in it, I think.

Next day after that Passover, the Manna ceases, and from this moment on, the People of Israel would have to rely on fruits of the land. Here, in Jerusalem, the Barley is headed but most will only ripe later. However, back in the Judean Desert, farmers are in dire need of helping hands, to help them with their crops of dates. As the Sons of Israel go deeper and deeper into the land, more and more types of fruits of the land will meet them when they're ripe.

11/03/2020

לאור איומי וירוס הקורונה, מתחילים אופנת סיורי התבודדות, למי שעדיין לא בבידוד!

מסיירים במבחר אתרים חביבים ואהובים שלא מקבלים מספיק תשומת לב, ומטבע הדברים נמנעים מהתקהלות.
כל החברים מוזמנים לצאת מהבית, בקבוצות של עד 10-15 איש, לפנות בפרטי.

והפעם: העמקה בהר ציון

In light of the Corona Virus panic, I am beginning a series of tours to destination that are normally avoided by the crowds for no good reason.
Everyone is welcome to book a spot in such a tour via a private message, in small groups of up to 10-15 people.
This time we went to take an in depth look at the less seen sides of Mount Zion.

27/02/2020

I am so glad because the Roman Damascus gate is open again for the public, and is connected to the Ramparts Promenade, which has been extended all the way to the Lions Gate. Surely this is one of my favorite spots to tour around Jerusalem.

25/02/2020

The Almond trees bloom in Ein Karem. Apart from being an entirely crazy thing to see (my camera cannot capture that, and neither am I a competent photographer) it's also extremely satisfying to talk about.
The Almond is blossoming very early, sometimes it feels like the tree is there to make your winter nicer. It's white like milk and smells sweet like honey.
The Hebrew word for Almond is Shaked, comes from a root that means to act diligently, thus virtually praising the tree for blooming early.
This nice fact can be connected with a story from Parashat Korah (which we read in the summer):
In Numbers 17:16-25, after a rebellious episode the leaders of the tribes take staffs, and Aaron's staff is used for the tribe of Levi, and God would reaffirm Aaron's legitimacy for the Priesthood, when his staff would be the first one to blossom, and bring fruit, which in Numbers, fittingly, was an Almond.

In the beginning of the same Parashah, there are Korah and his folks, and 250 chieftains and leaders who challenge Moshe's and Aaron's position, saying "Hey, our whole assembly is holy, why are you any better?"
Moshe instructs them, thus, to prepare fire pans with in cents and appear before the Lord. They do. After that, sh'ol swallows Korah with his people, and Fire comes out from God and consumes the 250.
Many lessons can be derived from this, and many parallels, and any of your ideas are as valid as mine, but I think there is a nice parallel between this story, and the words of John the Baptist in Matthew 3:8-12
"Produce fruit in keeping with repentance... The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.
“I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

Traditionally Ein Karem is seen as the birthplace of John the Baptist, which is what really makes this image poetic.

20/02/2020

Rockefeller Museum follow up: When the Hunter becomes hunted

19/02/2020

The Rockefeller Museum is a fascinating place for all sorts of reasons, out of which, I believe, at least 50% have nothing to do with the actual finds presented there. It's a must see place for people who want to get a wide view on local archaeology, but in a way that won't take a day to go through (which was exactly what we did)
That being said, I knew that there are several things that should absolutely captivate our attention, and one such place ought to be the exhibition of Hisham's palace, i.e. one out of the many Ummayad palaces. This specific site had much of the decoration remaining and really allows to envisage the art of the time.
For sure, these things should have captured Maya's attention, whose major was Islamic Archaeology.
I lost her for a cat.

16/02/2020

Together with these gentlemen, we ascended to Temple Mount, and discussed its positioning and significance. We also visited other sites, having to do with 2nd temple period city of Jerusalem.