Travel to the heartland of the Bible, walking in the footsteps of the patriarchs and matriarchs. Tour includes visit to Kever Rachel, Gush Etzion, Hevron or Herodian, and takes you on some of the ancient roads our ancestors also traveled along.
Our day begins with our traveling to Kever Rachel, traditional burial site of our matriarch Rachel, located on the outskirts of Beit Lechem (Bethlehem). During this visit we’ll consider why Jews visit kevarim and why they go out of their way to visit Rachel emanu’s kever. Next we’ll visit the area of Gush Etzion, backyard area where King David grew up. We will travel along the Path of the Patriarch’s (Derech Avot) the same route used by the Avot and by travelers more than 2000 years ago. You’ll discover ancient mikvot and grape presses. We will visit the museum at Kfar Etzion to see the movie about the battle in ’48. During our visit, we’ll also discuss the various mitzvoth specific to Eretz Yisrael (shmita, oral, and trumot and massrot. We’ll visit a natural spring and see how early Israelites channeled water to irrigate their fields. (if your are up for it, you can take a dip in the refreshing water! ahh!) Oh, of course we'll review who lived out here and when (like David HaMelech, before becoming the king). Before leaving this area, we’ll stop off at the Pina Chama – “The Warm corner” where soldiers are treated to drinks and snacks donated by the community. Next, we’ll head over to Herodian, King Herod’s Summer Palace.
