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(my videos from this travel) - There used to be a Yeshiva that learned at the 'Shalom Al Yisrael Shul' in Yericho. Under the Oslo Accords, it was decided that not a single Jew could live in Yericho, and the Yeshiva was shut down. However, the Yeshiva relocated to just outside of Yericho. After an Arab riot that burned and destroyed a part of the Ancient Shul, the site was closed down. However, once a month, early in the morning, and under heavy army protection, Jews are allowed to Daven at the Shul and visit Tel Yericho. When I went, we headed there at 4 AM, to avoid confrontations. Nevertheless, local Arabs threw stones at us, intending to harm Yidden, who were simply going to visit and Daven by sites that are holy to Yiddishkeit! Baruch Hashem, we had soldiers with us that prevented us from being massacred C'V. Details - Yericho is one of the most famous cities in Nach, where many known stories took place in the city and its outskirts. - In Yericho, there is a place called Tel Yericho, which is also called Tel Sultan, where the old city of Yericho is.  - Most of the remains at Tel Sultan remain covered up, However, you can see many wall foundations that are thousands of years old!  -There is an old round watchtower that is mistakenly called 'Rachav's house', the location of her house is actually in the north of Tel Yericho. -Yericho is often mentioned as the oldest existing city in the world. - There are also a few ancient Shuls in Yericho that are generally kept locked. We were able to daven Shacharis in one of these Shuls called the 'Shalom Al Yisrael Shul', which is about 1400 years old! Later, we visited The Naaran Shul, which was built around the same time as the Shalom Al Yisrael Shul. History  - The first city that the Yidden conquered when they entered Eretz Yisrael, was Yericho. First, Yehoshua Ben Nun sent 2 spies, Pinchas and Calev, to check out the city. When they were discovered, Rachav famously helped them escape out of the city. It says in Sefer Yehoshua (2:16, 2:22), "Go to the mountain lest the pursuers meet you; and hide yourselves there for three days". Right outside of Yericho are many tall mountains, where you can see where the spies likely hid. - Next to Yericho, by the Yarden River, is where Eliyahu Hanavi went up to heaven in a chariot of fire. - There is a spring of water, that is likely the spring that Elisha HaNavi blessed, and sweetened it's water. Till today, people drink from that spring! -The Narran Shul, is possibly located at the site of the ancient city of Naaran which was near Yericho. There is the story of Elisha being attacked by Naarim (people from Naaran), who lost their income because he had cured the water of Yericho. - There was an archaeologist who wanted to excavate Yericho, and was only able to do so when she received permission from the Arabs. She was under tremendous pressure from the Arabs and people who deny the authenticity of the Torah, to show that there is zero connection between Yidden and Yericho. She published her 'findings', and claimed that Yericho was destroyed 100 years before Yehoshua Ben Nun conquered the city. The Arabs and deniers of The Torah were ecstatic and used this 'proof' that Jewish history is made up. However, 30 years ago, a new team of archaeologists reexamined the site and the findings from the previous excavation. They found many inconsistencies in the findings. For example, the archaeologist did not consider numerous pottery findings that were dated from after her 'decided date of Yericho's destruction', which shows that Cannanim were living in Yericho well after her 'decided date of Yericho's destruction'. Once again showing that The Tanach is not a historical novel, but actually the true story of our people. (On this theme check out Khirbet Qeiyafa ) The Shalom Al Yisrael Shul. View of Yericho from the Shul. The army accompanied us for security. Notice the paint marks, the Arabs throw paint at the windows hoping to obstruct the view of the drivers. Elisha's Spring. Tel Yericho. Massive gratitude for the soldiers! The Naaran Shul. Nearby is an amusement park. The mountains next to Yericho, this is where Pinchas and Calev likely hid after Rachav saved them.

(my videos from this travel) Details Google Maps --- Duration 1.5HR - Tel Hazor has a nice amount of archaeological remains, including an ancient water system. Additionally, Tel Hazor is mentioned many times in The Tanach. History - Hazor was the largest Canani city. It says in Sefer Yehoshua, that Hazor was "the head of all these kingdoms". - It says that Shlomo Hamelech built "the wall of Yerushalayim, and Hazor, and Megiddo, and Gezer”. The city gates that Shlomo built, have been named 'Solomonic Gates'. - In Sefer Yehoshua Perek 11, it emphasizes how Yehoshua ben Nun burnt Hazor. But how do you burn stones? Armies would make large fires next to stone structures, causing them to crack. The king of Hazor, which was the largest Canani city, initiated an attack against Yehoshua ben Nun. Then we see the special emphasis on how Yehoshua burnt Hazor. At Hazor, there are the remains of a Canani palace whose stones are cracked, and some of them have ash on them. This means someone burnt these stones intentionally. Can you guess who?! ​Archaeological 5/5 Historical 5/5 Nature 1/5 Views 3/5 Burnt Stones Water system.

(my videos from this travel) Details Google Maps --- Duration 45MIN - There is a moderate amount of archaeology here. There are nice views of the area here. History -Khirbet Qeiyafa is an important location because it proved that the stories in Tenach are true, using secular methods. There were those who for a long time said that David Hamelech was a fictional character because archaeologically there was no evidence that someone called David had existed. Then they found a 2,800-year-old inscription in Tel Dan mentioning "The House of David", thus providing archaeological proof that David Hamelech had existed. So then they said that David Hamelech had existed, but was only a small local tribesman and not an important powerful king. Here at Khirbet Qeiyafa, they found the remains of a large administrative building from David Hamelech, showing that he actually was a big influential king as is stated in Tenach. David likely built a palace here, because it overlooks the location where he killed Golias. -Khirbet Qeiyafa is likely the city of Shaaraim mentioned a few times in Tenach. They found here 2 city entrances which are rare, hence its identification with Shaaraim. Tel-Azekah Khirbet-Quiyafa and Ella-Valley are located near each other and can be done in 1 trip. Archeological 3/5 Historical 3/5 Nature 3/5 Views 3/5

FAQ Phone Plan Almost everyone in E"Y uses WhatsApp to text and call. I purchased a monthly phone plan for 60 Shekel a month, for 100 GB + some minutes for calls and texts (which I rarely used). You can purchase a phone plan at the airport, however, it will be more expensive than if you can wait until you arrive at your destination and buy a Sim-Card there. There is a one-time charge of a few Shekel for the actual Sim-Card My T-Mobile claimed that it offered a good internet connection, but it was terrible. You are probably better off buying an Israeli Sim-Card. I saw many people use Google Voice to call America on regular calls. Transportation I took t he bus to most places. The re are locations (Ex: Zohar Fortress) where I would have to sometimes walk an hour+ to ge t there. The best way to pay for public transportation is through the app Moovit . It calculates the fares at the end of the day and applies whatever discount you would have gotten if you had initially paid with the discount. If you're not using Moovit, the other option to pay for trains & buses, is by using a Rav Kav card (a bus/train card). You can purchase a Rav Kav at a kiosk at the airport train station, or any train and bus stations (not bus stops). You can add money to your Rav Kav card at any Light Rail stop, or any train and bus stations. You can also download the Rav Kav app to pay for the card. I found Google Maps to be the most helpful for navigating how to get around Eretz Yisrael, including with the bus and train times. However, some locations require lots of walking, and Google Maps doesn't calculate that (Ex: Shivta). In those cases, I used Moovit , because it includes extensive walking. There we re places where I had to walk on the side of the highway. Just try to walk beyond the guardrails. ​ Wh ere To Stay I always stayed in Yerushalayim and early in the morning took the first bus out, and came back at night. As such, I don't know where there are good places to stay. ​ Food THIS IS A SIMPLE GUIDE, WITH SOME GENERAL INFORMATION. ASK YOUR RABBI BEFOREHAND, WHAT AND WHERE IS APPROPRIATE FOR YOU TO EAT!!! Most food establishments in Yerushalayim, are under the Rabbanut, which is the basic level of kashrus. There is Rabbanut Mehadrin , which is a more stringent form of kashrus. The Frumer people that I met who visited E"Y, would only eat from Rabbanut Mehadrin. The highest available kashrus in Yerushalayim is Edah HaChareidis , which mainly gives its hashgacha in the Meah Shearim/Geulah area. Don't feel shy to ask a restaurant where is their kashrus certificate, or to ask them what kashrus they have. They have already been asked that many times, and are used to it. For Lubavitchers looking to eat at a fleishig restaurant. There are certain meat brands that Lubavitchers eat, and you can ask the restaurant if they are serving that meat. Almost all packaged junk food in E"Y has a high level of Kashrus (bissli, Bamba, pretzels, cereal, chips, packaged ice cream...) You can purchase such food almost anywhere in E"Y, at convenience stores, gas stations, or at the entrance of national parks. I tried to push myself to explore Eretz Yisrael in the most challenging ways . I would try food fasting on my trips until nighttime. I always took with me some granola bars, just in case. As such, I don't know of many good Kosher places to eat For any questions or critical feedback sholomtravels@gmail.com

Religious Sites YERICHO CHAMBER OF THE HOLOCAUST THE DAVIDSON CENTER KIVREI HASANHEDRIN KEVER SHIMON HATZADIK ZVHILLER REBBE KEVER IMREI EMES YEHOSHUA BEN NUN THE EASTERN WALL TUNNEL TOURS GUSH KATIF MUSEUM YAD VASHEM THE HURVA SHUL KEVER OF THE LAST CHASHMONAIM CHEVRON Tier 1 HAR HAZEISIM THE ISRAEL MUSEUM Tier 2 HERODION HAR GERIZIM SHILOH NEBI SAMUEL KIDRON VALLEY Tier 3 ROCKEFELLER MUSEUM CASTEL PARK BEIT EL J-TOWER DERECH HAAVOT RAMAT RACHEL MOUNT SCOPUS THE HERODIAN QUARTER HASS PROMENADE Tier 4 BAT AYIN EIN HEMED MITZPEH YERICHO RAMPARTS WALK GUSH ETZION HERITAGE CENTER The Burnt House The Temple Institute Tier 5 YAFFA GATE TOMBS MOUNT ZION TRENCH KFAR ETZION WINEPRESS OG'S FINGER RECHAVIA PARK OSKAR SCHINDLER'S TOMB JASON'S TOMB