Israel Day 10 by Richard Leavitt

Last Group Photo Op

This was our final day of our tour. Several folks left last night, so our numbers were reduced but our enthusiasm wasn't. 

We left the kibbutz hotel for Tzippori where we saw some incredible ruins from the Roman era.  We visited sites of a couple of small towns where there was evident wealth. Several houses had some amazing mosaics on the floors that resembled Persian carpets, and the synogogue at Tzippori had a very detailed, artistic and large mosaic that contained millions (literally) of individual colored stones.  The wealth that it must have taken to pay for such artistry!  I'll bet the membership dues for the country club were astronomical!

David Schwarz befriended a sweet-tempered dog who followed him around all morning, finally resting on a cool stone floor of one of the buildings.  

Then on to Beit Shearim, the resting place of Rabbi Judah HaNasi, the author of the Mishna, and others.  The custom there was to let the bodies decay and then place the bones in stone sarcophagi (sarcophaguses?) placed deep in hand-hewn caves.  Rabbi Dardik spoke about having to bury the body below the surface of the earth, not necessarily in a grave, so these burials were halachically correct, as the caves were definitely in the ground.  The surrounding area was lush and lovely and park-like.  In fact, it is an Israeli national park. 

Roman aqueduct at Caesarea

Penultimately (for you wordsmiths), we went to Caesarea, a beautiful Mediterranean costal port with a multi-ethnic history.  Originally a small port, it was magnificently improved by Herod, with some ingenious  and cutting-edge (excuse the stone allusion) architecture.  He had built large wooden barges filled with volcanic ash that they floated out in a semi-circle, then sank as the sea water mixed with the ash, creating a cement.  The result?  A break-water that could be built upon, creating an artificial port.  He created more: a hippodrome, temple, theater and other buildings.
  

Beaches at Caesarea

The city was conquered by the Muslims who held it for a couple of centuries, destroyed the temple and built a mosque.  Then the Crusaders took the city, destroyed the mosque and built a church.  Then the Byzantines.  And finally the city was left to decay, until the late 19th century when it was bought by Baron de Rothschild who restored the port and city.  Now it is a seaside resort with a sandy beach, restaurants and points of interest. There were a couple of video exhibits showing the history of Caesarea.  None of the seats had armrests. Had there been, I think several of us would have gently fallen asleep.  It was dark and cool, and we were hot and tired.  

Farewell Dinner at Artmeat

Finally, we went to a nice, quiet restaurant for our last meal together.  The food, again, was bountiful, and good, and our last chance to try everything before we return home to diets of salad, non-fat everything, and not having seconds.  We made our toasts, said our sad goodbyes and went our various ways--some to the airport for the flight home, some to visit friends and family in Israel, some to other countries for more travel, and some to Jerusalem to take the measure of this wonderful city of contrasts.

This trip certainly has accomplished its goals of experiencing the excitement of walking through places and events in Tanach (including some post-biblical), turning a story into history (for the ingenues among us, namely me), increasing our appreciation for this wonderful country and nation, deepening our spirituality and increasing the camaraderie and dedication of our Beth Jacob chaverim. 

Our teachers & guides
Rabbi Dardik & Shulie

We have such gratitude for all of Rabbi Dardik's thinking, planning, and leadership on this wonderful adventure.  For those thinking of coming on this trip next year, please give it serious thought.  It has been a unique and fulfilling experience for us this year, and you will be fortunate to have a similar experience next year. 
 

Shalom,

Richard 

 
To view all our pictures....click here and don't forget to leave a comment...especially those who were on this incredible trip -- please tell us your thoughts when you were there!