Israel Day 9 by Richard Leavitt

Next to last day of our trip.  We're a bit tired but undaunted. It was a wonderful day.

We started our day going to Tel Dan, and an interesting exhibit and videos of how Torah, tefillin and mezuzah parchment is made, how the ink is made, and how the Sefer Torah, tefillin and mezuzah scrolls are inscribed and, finally, we got to try writing the aleph-bet on actual slips of parchment.  It was humbling.  There is much to the art of inscription, and our feeble attempts were lessons in humility.  Many kept their parchments, so you might want to ask one of us to take a look when we get home.

Rabbi Dardik teaching at the Yosef Karo synagogue

Then to Tzfat, to learn about the origins of Kabala, visiting the synogogues of Joseph Caro and the Ari.  They weren't there, of course, but their spirits were.  Again, sitting or standing in the places our forebears and sages stood, or sat, and we learned as they learned, and our teachers, Rabbi Dardik and Shuli, our tour guide, taught as they taught (Ok, I'm exaggerating a bit, but you get my drift).  The mantle of history was draped over us all today.  

A Judaica Shop in Tzfat

We walked a bit of the city, perched on the hillside with a lovely view to the fertile valley below.  Tzfat is home not only to the imagination of the Kabalists, but also to many artists, and there are numerous galleries there.  We visited the Safed Candle Works where the beautiful Shabbat, Havdalah, Chanukah and other candles are made that we can buy at Afikomen.  Prices are about the same here as there, which is interesting, so you can feel comfortable that you're getting a good price at Afikomen.

The Sea of Galilee

Then to a restaurant on the shores of the Sea of Galilee, a place Neil Taxy had suggested.  We were seated dockside, open-air, overlooking the water.  The food was delicious and plentiful (how unusual!), and we said goodbye to several of us who had to leave a day early.  Then out to sea on a wooden boat where we danced and played drums to some Israeli songs.  David Schwartz gave us an exhibition of break dancing and made us tired just watching him.  Where he got the energy after a full day of touring, I'll never know.  

Back to Kibbutz Lavi for some rest before our final day. Bed beckons, so I'll say goodnight.  

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!