Desert Delights
Shavua Tov! We hope you had a wonderful Shabbat. Our travelers certainly did, catching up on their rest, enjoying spirited Shabbat services (including Torah reading by our staff!), delicious meals and time to get to know one another.
After Havdalah on Saturday night, marking the conclusion of Shabbat, our travelers returned to Jerusalem proper, exploring the neighborhoods of modern Jerusalem (did you know there is a windmill in downtown Jerusalem?) and enjoying a sound and light show which tells Jerusalem's history.
Bright and early on Sunday morning they journeyed south, to explore the desert and it's importance both historically and in contemporary life. Our travelers climbed the Roman Ramp to the top of Masada, each at their own pace and enjoying the sense of accomplishment when they reached the top. There they toured the ancient ruins and imagined themselves the martyrs left in the desert fortress. How to battle the enemy? How long could they survive? Who would give up their life first? Fortunately, it wasn't 73CE and when they were done on the mountaintop, they could take the cable car (which is the size of a small living room) down to the bottom.
Following lunch at the Ein Gedi Youth Hostel (a beautiful desert hideaway) they went to the Dead Sea, which is just across the road. There they had the opportunity to float on the mineral-rich water, just like you've seen in pictures. Some participants took advantage of the opportunity to paint themselves in Dead Sea mud -- people pay top dollar for skin treatments like this -- and now enjoy the silky smooth skin which remains when the mud is washed off. The restorative qualities of both the water and the mud at the lowest point on the earth are well known, so we know we will be sending them back to you much refreshed by the experience.
Relaxed and renewed, it was time for some hospitality. On their journey back to Jerusalem they stopped at the tent of Abraham at Eretz Bereshit (Genesis Land -- http://www.genesisland.co.il/). They were mesmerized by this representation of Biblical life and were filled with questions for their host. Where else can you step this far back in history and then tour the world of 19th century mystics the very next day?
The Masada/Dead Sea day is always a high point of the journey. Everyone returns to the hotel tired and fulfilled. They'll sleep well tonight and wake up fresh to make their way north tomorrow morning.
While many of us spent today digging out of substantial snowstorms, at the Dead Sea today it was a summery 84 degrees. Tomorrow, as they move north to Tsfat, it will cool a bit to 66, but skies will be clear.
We wish you a wonderful week and look forward to bringing you more news from the Holy Land.
Rabbi Elyse Winick
