The Western Wall, Meron, Masada, the Dead Sea, Shechem... Learn about the history of Israeli places of interest, their spiritual significance, as well as some modern-day tourist tips.
Did the Sanhedrin ever imagine that centuries later there would be observant Jews standing here in the same spot, continuing to live by their calendar? Did they realize that the rulings that they last issued would ensure the continuity of Judaism?
On a rocky plateau overlooking the Dead Sea, lies the excavated ruin of a royal citadel, the last stronghold held by Jews who refused to submit to Roman occupation. Masada is the backdrop for one of the most dramatic scenes in Jewish history.
Meron is most well-known for being the burial site of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai. Rabbi Shimon, who lived in the 2nd century CE, was the first to publicly teach the mystical dimension of the Torah known as the Kabbalah, and is the author of the Zohar.
Rachel's Tomb, located in the city of Bethlehem, lay on a deserted roadside for centuries. Rachel's descendants would come here to pour out their hearts to her. Rachel is a continuous source of comfort to her children...
Amidst the mountains of Shomron (Samaria) is a four-thousand year old city – Shechem. Very few biblical locales have as rich a history as this storied city.
Built along the shore of the Kinneret (Sea of Galilee), near seventeen natural hot springs, the northern Israeli city of Tiberias is known as the "City of Water." It is considered one of the four "Holy Cities" in Israel.
Hebron is the only Holy City where Jewish people currently
comprise but a small portion of the population, yet it holds a special place in the hearts of the
Jewish people.
Often called the “snowy mountain” or the “gray-haired mountain,” in
Israel the Hermon is known as “the eyes of the nation” because its peak of
2,236 m (7,336 ft) is the country’s highest.