Our day began with davening and then packing the bus. Then it was off to a beautiful breakfast and filling our water bottles. We are making sure to remain hydrated. Our jeep drivers Tzvika and Omri picked us up at the hotel. There is nothing that can compare to jeeping through the Galil. The scenery is breathtaking. You can clearly see how the mountains make up the landscape. On our ride we saw almost all of the fruit of the seven species: olive trees, pomegranates and date trees. In addition, we saw corn fields, leche and avocado trees.
We took a stop at a crater that was created when a volcano. Imagine our surprise to find out we were standing on the volcano. B”H it is dormant now. Tzvika showed us the black rocks that are remnants of this eruption. Knowing that the 3rd grade just completed a unit on volcanoes, we took some home as souvenirs. We hope they will make it through the airport.
Our 2nd stop was an ancient shul in Arbel. Arbel is the home of a famous Tana, Nitai Ha’Arbeli. He is best known for his Mishna in the 1st chapter of Pirkei Avos #7. Stay away from a bad neighbor, do not stick with a wicked person and do not forget there is consequence.
It was clear to see from the ancient ruins how much thought and money went into the construction of this shul. The shul was used after the destruction of the 2nd Temple era and we wonder if Nitai Ha’Arbeli davened in the place where we stood. We used our imagination to piece back the shul from the ruins.
The synagogue was renovated for people to enjoy and learn from by the family of Max Steinberg. Max had visited Israel on a Birthright tour and was so inspired that he made Aliya and joined the IDF as a lone soldier. Sadly, Max died in Gaza in 2014. His family dedicated the ancient shul in Arbel in his memory.
Next stop was the Kineret, the Sea of the Galilee. The Kineret receives its name from the word Kinor (violin). Now, as we looked at the beautiful water we all agreed that we could not see a violin. Tzvika told us that the name comes from a sentence in the Gemara that says that its fruits are as sweet as the sound of a violin.
Tradition says that the well of Miriam is also located in the Kineret. Its location is unknown. One thing though is there are many springs in the Kineret, so perhaps one of those springs is the well. When the Holy Ari lived in Tzefat, he had a student Rabbi Chaim Vital, who was frustrated that he could not retain all of the Ari’s learning. The Arizal took his student to the Kineret and rode in a boat to a specific location. When they reached the destination the Arizal had his student drink 3 cups of water. After drinking the water, Rabbi Chaim of Vital was a changed person. Perhaps this was the well of Miriam.
The jeep ride was so fun, we were sad when it ended. Driving through the Galil was an amazing learning experience.