Shabbat Shalom!

The days in Israel are very long and exhausting but so invigorating. Our first stop on day two was Tzfat, the Spiritual (Kaballistic) and Artistic center of Israel. It was absolutely stunning. Almost all of the buildings were made of outstanding and beautiful Jerusalem limestone. The street were lined with Isreali flags and all of the fences had metal work of Magen Davids. The Jewish pride and shear love for Israel was contagious as it is all over this phenomenal country. We explored the street and saw the genuine beauty of this area. Being that it is Friday, everyone was preparing for Shabbat. The smells tasted so sweet and the excitement for the holiday was running through the streets. I loved it.

As we walked deeper into the town, we came upon a beautiful synagogue, The Ashkenazi Ari Synagogue. This temple was names after Rabbi Yizhak Luria Ashkenazi, the founder of Lurianic Kabbalah. Additionally, this synagogue is where Rabbi Luria (or Ari) used to go in the 16th century on Friday night to welcome the Sabbath and where the Kabbalat Shabbat service was originated. It could be said that it is because of this place that my favorite Jewish song (Boi Kallah, a modern song version of the last line of L'cha Dodi that welcomes the Sabbath Bride) is in existence. Tzfat, like Jerusalem, Chebron, and Tiberias, is one of the four holy cities of Israel and I was standing in what is possibly the oldest synagogues in Israel. This 440 year old shul houses a beautiful hand painted wood carved arc. It was such a stunning sight that made me proud to be Jewish in the Jewish homeland.

After the synagogue, we walked down the street for a "shoppertunity" (by the way, that's my favorite word). We went into a candle store that sells gorgeous handmade Israeli Beeswax Candles. Down the alley a bit was a whole strip of stores and galleries that we walked through. I made some very nice purchases but since some people will probably read this who I got gifts for I'm not going to talk about what I got. Anyways though, since Tzfat is the artistic center of Israel the artists all congregate in this area and make beautiful artwork sold in the galleries lining the streets.

After our shopping time we went to an absolutely amazing location, Kibbutz Misgav Am. Misgav Am is located 2,750 feet above sea level and has an outstanding view of the entire surrounding area, including Lebanon. This Kibbutz is basically on he border of Israel, in fact as I walked through the Kibbutz my phone sent me an automated message that said welcome to Lebanon. As we walked in I got real sense of the community and trust for each other in this place. We got to a shack that was selling ice cream. I went to purchase an ice cream bar, but here was the interesting part. There was no one working in the shack. It was just a freezer and an opened register. I took my own ice cream, I took my own change. I felt comfortable and welcomed. We all sat on this patio and had a man speak to us. He was amazing and very inspirational. I did not catch his name but I will tell you everything I remember. This man grew up in Cincinnati and as he grew up, he knew that Israel was where he belonged. After he graduated college, he made Alliya and has lived in Israel ever since. In Israel he was a soldier for about 20 years and he fought in six wars. Here is when this area really got really interesting. Not only was it Lebanon across the border, but it was Hezbalah. I was looking at where Hezbalah, an organization that want Israel destroyed, lives. I heard their prayer, I felt the pain of those who live in this Kibbutz. They live there heroically keeping this land Israel's land so that it is not taken by Hezbalah. The man told us how the Kibbutz works very well together. He explained that they have their farmers, their workers, their soldiers, and more. Hezbalah came to this village twice in recent years to attack. Both times, no one returned to Lebanaon and the Hezbalah learned and never sent a third crew. The most important thing this man talked to us about other then the strength of this Kibbutz, is the importance of us as Jews to be connected to the homeland. He said that we needed to talk to our government and speak to our local representatives about the importance of Israel and how we need to stand up against Lebanon and the other nations that have hopes to destroy Israel. He then really inspired our group. He told us that while the United States is where we live, it is not our home. Right now I was standing in my home. Israel is the home that god gave to the Jewish people and it is where we belong. He welcomed us home. I was really moved. I don't know if my life will ever put me in a position where I will live in Israel, but I definitely will always be a Zionist and will always have a love and connection to this outstanding country.

We all were inspired and had a huge passion for the land we were in. After stopping for a quick lunch, it was time for fun. It was time to go rafting on Jordan River. We were at the most incredible locations in all of Israel and now we were having the best time ever while there. Our group broke into boats and we were off. I was paddling and we were just having so much fun. Splashing each other and bumping into each other's boats. Just floating down the river, it was such a fun time.

Now it was time for Shabbat. I took a shower, cleaned myself off, and we all met. Our hotel is right on the Sea of Galille so we have a beach behind it. We all met in the courtyard to take some pictures of us decked out in our nicest clothes and then we headed out onto the beach. It was an amazing Shabbat. All of us were sitting on the beach in Israel right on the Sea of Galille. I don't know if I will ever get another opportunity in my life to do this with 100 of my friends. This was one of the best Shabbat services I have ever experienced. The delicious dinner after it made Shabbat even better. This experience was absolutely phenomenal. I am loving Israel and don't want to leave! Shabbat Shalom!
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