Description

Safed, Tiberias & Mt. Meron

Safed, Caro and Ari Synagogues, Golan Heights, View of Hula Valley

Tour departs on: Tue – Tour won’t be operated on: 23/04/19, 01/10/19, 08/10/19, 15/10/19

We begin by traveling north up the Mediterranean coast of Israel then turn inland and travel through the plain of Armageddon where we can see Megiddo. We reach the city of Tiberias on the shores of the Sea of Galilee.

We visit the ancient grave sites of two esteemed sages. Although the original structure which marked the grave of Rabbi Meir was destroyed by an earthquake in 1337 two stone pillars remained marking the grave’s location. From a distance it is possible to see the distinctive blue and white domes of the tomb. At the grave site there are separate prayer areas for men and women and study areas for both Ashkenazim and Sephardim. Near the grave site are vendors selling religious souvenirs, candles, books and posters of revered Rabbis.

We visit the tomb of Rabbi Moshe Ben Maimon (Rambam) who penned the fourteen volumes of the Mishne Torah and is respected as a great sage, philosopher, scholar and doctor. Rambam passed away in Egypt in c.1235 and his final wish was to be brought to the shores of the Sea of Galilee to be buried in Tiberias.


We continue on to Safed, a hill top city and one of four holy cities in Israel. We walk through the historic city and the narrow alley ways of the Old City, we visit the Ari HaKodosh Synagogue, the Isaac Luria Visitor Center and the Artists Quarter. Our next stop is at Mount Meron where Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai (Rashbi) a 2nd century sage is buried. It is believed that he penned the Zohar while in hiding from the Romans following the destruction of the Second Holy Temple. Rashbi is believed to have passed away on Lag B’Omer, the same day that a plague ended which had taken the lives of Rabbi Akiva’s pupils. Rashbi’s grave is the site of Lag B’Omer celebrations each year when thousands of Jews gather here and light bonfires, dance, rejoice and also traditionally give their three year old sons their first haircut. The tomb is used for prayer, both by men and women in separate areas and outside the tomb you can find stalls selling religious mementos, head coverings, religious books and artifacts. 

Remarks

  • Comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
  • Modest dress is obligatory for visits to holy sites; covered knees and shoulders.
  • This tour operates with a minimum of 3 participants.