History

The Jewish connection to Israel stretches back more than four millennia to the days of Abraham who was commanded to leave his homeland in Ur (modern day Iraq) and set out for the Promised Land to proclaim his faith in One G-d. Though Jacob and his sons descended to Egypt and were enslaved there by Pharaoh, Moses and then Joshua, led the People of Israel back to establish themselves as a nation. Judges, kings, prophets, sages, builders, priests and warriors subsequently all left their mark on Jewish history throughout the First & Second Commonwealth when the Temple stood and during the 2000 years of Dispersion following the Roman conquest of Jerusalem.

  • Witness the places and personalities “come to life,” as you journey through this fascinating country, where every stone has a story to tell…
  • Encounter the striking events, extraordinary personalities, profound ideas and geopolitical forces that have shaped the course of events in Israel through the ages.
  • Feel a part of the action as you deliberate ancient dilemmas – from the quandary of Joseph and his brothers in Dotan to the life-and-death decisions atop the desert fortress Masada.
  • Experience the emotions of yesteryear as you become swept up in the surge of events that are poignant and uplifting.
  • Contemplate the application of the timeless messages urged by the prophets of old and appreciate the fierce clash of civilizations that has characterized almost every era in the Promised Land.

Join a tour with ISRAEL MAVEN and you can:

  • Walk in the footsteps of Biblical Leaders, Prophets & Kings
    Using the Bible as your guide you can relive the stories and events that shaped history, seeing them in their natural context. Visit Hevron where Abraham purchased the Cave of Machpela for 400 silver coins as a burial plot for his beloved wife Sarah. Look out over Mt Moriah where the Binding of Isaac took place and where King Solomon built the Temple. Explore the City of David in Jerusalem home to the Prophets Isaiah & Jeremiah, and scene of destruction and devastation by Nevuchadnezzar the Babylonian. Climb aboard a ship in Jaffa with Jonah as he flees the Word of G-d, and ascend the Mount of Carmel with Elijah as he contests with the prophets of Ba’al. Discover the spectacular ruins in Tel Sheva, Megiddo, Lachish, Tel Dan, Gezer & Hazor, giving valuable insights into the stories of the Bible. Wherever you go, you tread the paths of those who are long gone, but whose presence remains as strong as ever.
  • Re-enact famous battles in history
    Israel lies at the cross-roads between the great continents of Africa, Europe & Asia and, as such has always retained immense strategic importance. Warring empires, clashing civilizations and powerful rulers have fought over its territory and the lucrative trade routes that run through the Holy Land. Not to be forgotten are the life-and-death struggles between local inhabitants, opposing faiths and seekers of religious and national freedom who fought against oppressive regimes. The thrill and drama have not disappeared from the Valley of Elah, where David slew the giant Goliath, or from the Horns of Hittin where the Crusaders were defeated by Saladin. While the sounds of battle are heard no more, their echo still resounds and reverberates through time.
  • Experience everyday life as in Days of Old
    The Bible & the Talmud are filled with descriptions of the lifestyle of our forefathers – how they dressed, how they lived, what their homes looked like, how they prepared food, what work they did and so on. You are invited to visit the Talmudic Village in Kazrin, Genesis Land in the Judean Desert or Kfar Kedem in the Galilee to dress up in clothes that were fashionable a few millennia ago, ride on donkey or camel, press olives, crush grapes, bake pita bread and dine in the manner that your ancestors were accustomed. Apart from learning a fortune, you will also have a fantastic time and snap some great shots to be treasured.
  • Participate in real-life archeological digs
    Hidden beneath the sands of time are jewels from the past – magnificent structures, formidable fortifications, chilling discoveries, valuable coins and scenes of destruction. Israel is an absolute treasure-trove for archeologists with stunning new discoveries been made every year. You, too, can join in the thrill of discovery by volunteering at one of the many sites currently under excavation. While the major digs usually take place in the summer and require a commitment of 2-3 weeks, you can spend a few hours sifting through rubble from the Temple Mount at Emek Tzurim or “dig for a Day” in Beit Guvrin. You can also venture underground into secret hideaways and tunnels to discover the drama below the surface such as the maze of tunnels, caves and chambers used by Bar Kochva and his men to hide from the Romans.

Contact us now for more details or to arrange you trip to Israel.