Israel: Mysticism, Synagogues, and Timeless Nature

Another neat part about visiting Israel, besides seeing ruins, is seeing old synagogues that are still daily houses of prayer today. Where better to go then to Tzvat? Tzvat is one of the four holiest cities in Israel and is the center of Jewish mysticism, or Kabbalah. This is real Kabbalah, not what Britney, Madonna, and Demi practice in LA, but Kabbalah that no one but the wisest and most learned Jewish men are allowed to study. As this is one of the holiest Jewish cities, you do have to be respectful of that while walking around and especially while walking into the synagogues there. Cover your shoulders, your chest, and do not wear shorts.

Once we were covered up, we went in to the Blue Synagogue. One of the oldest and most famous synagogues in Tsvat. There are beautiful depictions of biblical stories on the walls of this synagogue and is designed so that the pulpit (stage) where the Rabbi leads prayer is in the center of the synagogue and everyone sits in pews around it.

After taking in Tzvat, we went over to the Tel Dan nature reserve, which I really loved. Tel Dan is an archaeological site where you can tour the excavation as well as take a light hike, following the river through the beautiful scenery. The excavation gives a really interesting look at how people made their homes and made their lives, and the beautiful backdrop made it even more real and easy to picture.