The city of Beit Shean
The city of Bet Shean - one of the magnificent sites in Israel with a history of 8,000 years, through which many empires traversed: Greek, Egyptian, Persian, Assyrian & more.
Beit Shean is mentioned in the Bible several times and is best known as the site where King Saul and his sons were hung from the city walls. (Samuel 1 ch:31 v:10-13).
The Bet She’an National Park houses the spectacular ruins of the glory that was the Roman and Byzantine city of Bet She’an. Rising above them is the high Tel (mound) on which Biblical Bet She’an stood.
In the 1st century BCE the Romans re-built the city around the Tel and it was a significant metropolis that became a flourishing multicultural Roman city. Then the Byzantines took over, and in the 7th century the Muslims conquered and ruled until 749 AD.
In 749 AD the city suffered a massive earthquake. It was abandoned and never truly regained its former status. Pretty much everything was left as it was – a true gem for 20th century archaeologists. In an earthquake it is common that all pillars and others fall in the same direction, which makes it easier to re-erect and restore the pillars and walls as they were before the earthquake. The excavation and reconstruction offer a clear picture of what the city would have looked like, as you can well see from the pictures in the video.
After the city was abandoned, the Muslims built, nearby, a small village that was called “Bisan”.
This video focuses on the center of the city, and not on the city neighborhoods. We know exactly where the city walls were, the location of the neighborhoods, however in the city center are the most important finds which tell us the story of this magnificent Roman city.
Bet-Shean remains one of the cities in Israel most at risk to earthquakes, given it is located on the Syrian African Rift.
Nowadays, Bet-Shean National Park is probably one of the most impressive and busiest parks in Israel.
More on Bet-Shean and the biblical story of King Saul
Safed Fortress
Hello friends! If you're seeking a meaningful place to visit in Israel, Tzfat (Safed) offers an unforgettable experience for Christians and people of all backgrounds. In this holy city, rich with spiritual heritage, you’ll find a treasure trove of history – including the awe-inspiring Safed Fortress, a site that holds centuries of stories and profound significance.
The Safed Fortress stands as a powerful reminder of Tzfat’s pivotal role in the Crusader and Mamluk periods. Built by Crusaders in the 12th century, this fortress was once a strategic stronghold and a place where Christians, Jews, and Muslims intersected, reflecting the diverse and layered history of the region. As you wander its ancient stones and climb its ruins, you’ll feel the echoes of past battles, prayers, and lives intertwined within its walls. Its vantage point also offers breathtaking views of the surrounding Galilee and Golan Heights – a sight that fills you with awe at the beauty and tranquility of this holy land.
Visitors to the Safed Fortress can explore the ruins of towers and ancient chambers, and walk through the archeological remains that speak of resilience and faith. The Fortress also stands close to the Artists' Quarter, where the local creativity adds vibrant color and depth to your journey through this sacred city.
For Christians, this fortress is not just a historical site but a place of reflection and connection to the powerful narratives of faith and unity that span centuries. So, whether you’re a pilgrim, a history lover, or someone searching for spiritual enrichment, the Safed Fortress in Tzfat offers a unique opportunity to experience Israel’s past while connecting deeply with the present.
Sukkot
We continue to celebrate Sukkot..
The Feast of Sukkot has many meanings and teaches us many lessons.
When the people of Israel wandered through the desert God surrounded them and protectedthem with a cloud of holiness. The flexible somewhat open walls and roof of the Sukkah are a metaphor and remind us of the cloud with which God protected us in the desert.
A Sukkah is a temporary place of residence. This is to remind us, that even we are sojourners on this world.
We must live in the Sukkah 7 days: to live, sleep, eat…everything. Like our ancestors lived in the Sukkah in the desert.
Ushpizin (in Aramaic the meaning is: guests). According to the Kabbalah we have a special guest in the Sukkah. Altogether, 7 very important guests.
On the 1st day Abraham.
2nd day Isaac.
3rd day is Israel (Jacob).
4th day Moses.
5th day Aharon.
6 h day Joseph.
7th day David.
As we have already mentioned, this is a feast where we host many guests in the Sukkah, and we usually serve them food and drinks. The 7 Ushpizin, we only spiritually host in the Sukkah, each one on the day mentioned above. In our prayers, we mention each Ushpizin on the day he is the guest in the Sukkah.
As you already know we celebrate Sukkot 7 days and the 8 th day is called: ‘Shmini Atzeret’. I will separately post about that on the 8 th day of Sukkot.
In the video you can learn more lessons about Sukkot. Enjoy the video.
If you’ve missed my previous posts about Sukkot, you can still watch them here:
https://www.israeltourguide4u.com/blog/tags/sukkot.
If you’d like to learn more about Sukkot, click here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IH4tMz21s0g
Sukkot – Feast of the Tabernacle – The “Mitzvot”
To all my friends around the world, Shabbat Shalom and Happy Sukkot!
We've been at war for a year now and are still waiting for the return of the hostages to their families and homes.
The holiday of Sukkot obliges us to rejoice, but after the difficult year we've been through, it's really not easy.
So may the coming year be good to us.
On Wednesday we celebrated the beginning of Sukkot.
Sukkot is one of the 3 feasts in which the Jews used to make a pilgrimage to the Temple in Jerusalem from all over the world.
If you’ve missed my previous post, then you can find it here:
https://www.israeltourguide4u.com/blog/tags/sukkot
As I mentioned in my previous post, the 1 st ‘mitzva’ (commandment) is to live in the ‘Sukkah’ for 7 days.
The 2nd ‘mitzva’ is to bless on the 4 species. As you’ll see in the video, you should hold all 4 species together and wave them in all directions and pray for peace & goodness for all the people.
And why are there 4 different species?
‘ETROG’ (Citron): this fruit smells good and tastes good.
‘LULAV’ (branch of a Palm tree): the fruit of the Palm tree, the date, tastes very good but has no smell.
'HADAS’ (Myrtle) – smells good but has no taste
‘ARAVA’ (Willow) – has no taste, no smell
These 4 very different species represent the People of Israel who likewise are totally different one from the other.
Again, when we pray with the 4 species, we gather them in our hand and wave them to all directions to bless all the People of the World.
In my next post we’ll be observing the Feast of the Tabernacles from a slightly different perspective. Stay tuned.
Enjoy the video.
Yom Kippur – Day of Atonement
Yom Kippur – Day of Atonement
We will be celebrating You Kippur next week. May you all have a meaningful
Yom Kippur.
Yom Kippur begins on Friday evening next week and according to the Jewish
tradition (and as is mentioned in the Bible) this is the Holiest Day of the year.
Jews usually fast and pray all day to be granted atonement for all the sins
between them and God. Yom Kippur does not grant atonement for any conflict
between you and your neighbours, family, friends, colleagues – for these you
need to go and ask for forgiveness.
Israel is unique in that that it is the only country that literally closes for 26 hours:
from just before sunset to just after sunset. That means that nothing moves: no
traffic on the streets, no television, no radio, no shops nor businesses are open
during this day. Only emergency services and hospitals continue to operate
during this day.
The feeling of holiness is all around. There is silence on the streets, people are
dressed in white as they go to the synagogues and bless each other: “Gmar
Hatima Tova” which means, literally: a good final sealing & idiomatically: may you be inscribed (in the Book of Life) for good.
Visiting Israel during this period (Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot – feast of
the Tabernacle) is a rare and truly a once in a lifetime experience. I highly
recommend.
We also remember on this day the fallen soldiers of the Yom Kippur War (1973).
May you all have a meaningful Yom Kippur.
This is how Israel looks at Yom Kippur
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIlOZWhqM3UYom Kippur – Day of Atonement
Rosh-Hashana – the Jewish New Year – the Feast of the Trumpets
Rosh Hashanָa (literally meaning "beginning (also head) of the year" ) is the Jewish NewYear.
The biblical name for this holiday is Yom Teruah (literally "day of trumpeting/blasting") sometimes translated as the Feast of Trumpets. It is the first of the Jewish High Holy Days Yamim Nora'im (literally Days of Awe).
The most important reason in this feast is to remember that God is King of Kings and that it is a time of reflection. Rosh Hashanah marks the 1 st of 10 days count up to Yom Kippur (Atonement Day).
The symbols of Rosh Hashanah are to eat sweet food, especially dip apple in honey, to symbolize an upcoming sweet year. During Rosh Hashana dinner, a round sweet ‘halah’ (bread) is served, and it is custom to dip it in honey or sugar as well.
As a side note, on all other days, when doing the ‘Kidush’ (sanctification of the Sabbath that includes blessing the bread), bread is dipped in salt, unlike, as stated above, in Rosh Hashanah when it is dipped in honey or sugar.
Another symbol is the blowing of the ‘shofar’ (ram’s horn) and you can learn more about it in this video.
You may also be interested in more information about the various Rosh Hashanah symbols.
Click here for more information: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaxyW457ifI
I would like to wish you all ‘Leshana Tova’ – may you have a happy New Year.
How To Celebrate Rosh Hashana
Dear friends SHABBAT SHALOM & SHANA TOVA!
The Rosh Hashanah Holiday marks the beginning of “Tishrei Holidays”.
The Bible instructs us to celebrate “Yom Terua” (trumpet’s day) on the first day of the month of Tishrei, which is the 7 th month in the Jewish Calendar.
The count in the Jewish calendar is different than the Gregorian one. Today we count 5784 since the creation of the world according to the Bible; A time for reflection, and a time to eat honey and other sweet foods for the hope of a sweet year.
I would like to wish you all a very Happy New Year.
Stay tuned for more on Rosh Hashanah in next week’s post.
The Hula Valley
Shabbat Shalom my dear friends around the world..
The war here has been going for almost a year now,
We are still praying for our hostages to return to their homes and families.
Meanwhile, we are entering the autumn season, which is also the bird migration season from Europe to Africa.
In hopes for better days..
“Even the stork in the sky knows her appointed seasons, and the dove, the
swift, and the thrush observe the time of their migration. But my people do
not know the requirements of the LORD.” (Jeremiah 8:7)
In today’s post, we’ll explore some of the unique phenomena related to the
fauna of the biblical land.
The Syrian-African Rift crosses Israel from north to south and has become
the main migration route for large birds. Approximately 600 million birds of
180 species pass through this route twice a year—once when flying from
Europe to Africa in the winter, and again during their return from Africa to
Europe in the spring.
Many years ago, the Hula Valley was a vast swamp. In the late 1950s, it was
decided to drain the swamp to address health concerns such as malaria.
However, it soon became clear that the ecosystem had been disrupted. To
restore ecological balance, part of the area was re-flooded in a controlled
manner to prevent diseases like malaria from reemerging. After the re-
flooding, the migrating birds returned, and with them, the ecological balance
was restored.
Israeli law prohibits the hunting of these birds, and they are now protected.
Moreover, ecological programs and campaigns ensure that these birds
continue to stop over in Israel during their migration. Some birds, such as
cranes, have grown so fond of Israel that around 50,000 now choose to
reside here throughout the cold winter. Similarly, some storks have made
Israel their permanent home.
In the past, migrating birds caused significant damage to crops. Cranes
would flood the fields, consuming the farmers’ crops, while storks and
pelicans raided fish farms. This led to the
BethSaida
This post will discuss the Valley and City of Bethsaida. The City of Bethsaida was the capital ofthe Geshur Kingdom. King David and the King of Geshur Kingdom had a very good relationship even though King David married the Princess of Geshur, King Geshur’s daughter named Maacha.
She was the mother of Avshalom, King David’s son.
During the Roman period, 3 main roads passed nearby Bethsaida.
Jesus ministered in this area, including the City of Bethsaida, and a few of his disciples were born there: Andrei and Simon (Petrus) the son of Jonah, and also Philipus who was one of the disciples.
Many pilgrims visit the remnants of this city, even the Pope John Paulus the 2 nd flew over this city with a helicopter.
I want to draw your attention to the fact that this area is built on the Syrian-African rift. Likewise Capernaum and Chorazin – all of them are built from the local Basalt stone – the black stone.
This area is very fertile and the City and many villages surrounding it boast many agricultural crops. It continues to be a very fertile agricultural area today.
Today, Bethsaida is a National Park and open to visitors.
If you want to learn more details about the archaeological discoveries in the area and why Jesus cursed this city, go to: http://bit.ly/SamTourGuideBLOG.
In a nutshell, first diggings took place from 1987 to 1989. In 2009 there was another season of diggings lead by Prof. Ami Arav. The history revealed is more than 3,000 years old. The gate that was uncovered from Hellenistic and Roman time, is the most complete one found in the Middle East.
More here on this site: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DbgXdFMFS5Y
Thank you Pete Sumrall and Y Amichai for this video.
The Western Wall
Shabbat Shalom my friends around the world
We are stepping into the 12th month of this ongoing war
There are still 101 hostages that must return back to their families
According to the Jewish calender, this is the month of Elul - A time when all Israelites ask for forgiveness for things they have done or haven't done throughout the year.
It is costomary that in this month people reach The Western Wall for 24 hours a day in praying and asking for forgiveness.
On Yom Kippur and Rosh Hashana we will talk when due..
This time, I would like to present to you a short video that describes what The Western Wall or The Crying Wall as some call it, represents..
This will enable you to have another take on this world renowned monument..
The Land of The Bible - Chorazin
Chorazin is an ancient village close to Capernaum on a hill above the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee. It existed from the 1 st century AD to the 8 th century AD. It is mentioned in the Talmud as well as the New Testament.
It is one of 3 ancient settlements near the delta of the Jordan River entering the Sea of Galilee at the Northern side. The other 2 cities (more like villages) are Bethsaida and Capernaum.
All these 3 villages were built from the local Basalt volcanic stone and are located in on the
Syrian African rift.
Chorazin was cursed by Jesus because the people of Chorazin rejected his work and were not prepared to become his followers. In Chorazin a big spectacular synagogue was uncovered, as well as a ritual bath (Mikveh), cisterns, and three different oil millstones (presses). In addition, some residential buildings were found in a near complete state.
A very special chair that is called the “Seat of Moses” was discovered in the synagogue and it
was intended for the very important persons of the synagogue – those that donated monies to build the synagogue.
This site is included in many of the tours that I guide in Israel.
If you are interested, and have missed my post about Capernaum, click here:
http://bit.ly/SamTourGuideBLOG.
Thank you Grace Messenger and Pete Sumrall & Yair Amichay for these great videos.
A look at the Safed Fortress
"While Tzfat (Safed) is a hub of Jewish mysticism, it also holds significant historical and spiritual attractions for Christian visitors, one of the most notable being the Safed Fortress. This ancient stronghold, perched atop the city’s highest point, offers not only breathtaking views of the Galilee region but also a deep connection to the region's tumultuous history.
Originally built by the Crusaders in the 12th century, the Safed Fortress played a crucial role in the defense of the Holy Land during the Crusades. For Christian pilgrims, the fortress is a reminder of the medieval Christian presence in the region, offering a tangible link to the past.
As you explore the ruins, you can imagine the life of the Crusaders who once defended these walls, standing watch over the valleys below. The fortress also served as a strategic point during various conflicts over the centuries, including during the Mamluk and Ottoman periods, making it a symbol of the enduring struggle for control over this sacred land.
Today, the site is a peaceful place of reflection, where visitors can contemplate the layered history of Safed and the enduring faith that has shaped its story. Walking through the remnants of this ancient fortress, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the historical ties between Christianity and this region, while also enjoying the panoramic views that have inspired countless pilgrims over the centuries.
The Safed Fortress is not just a historical site; it's a place where the spiritual and the historical intertwine, offering a unique opportunity for Christian visitors to connect with the rich heritage of the Holy Land."
