Israel: The Trip of Your Life
Go For the FoodOne thing that people often discover once they visit Israel is that there is no shortage of delicious foods to eat. Simply walking through the streets of Jerusalem, one will find all sorts of pastries, fresh fruits, and our famous shwarma! Not only is there a wide variety of foods, but there are also special foods fit for the King! One should carefully consider where they will be eating during their visit.
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Go for the CultureThe culture of Israel is one to be admired. The customs of the Jews add to the beautiful scenery and amazing environment. Israel and the Beit Hamikdash are not open to only the Jews but also to anyone looking for a spiritual experience. It is by these words that the people of this land live:
עָשִׂ֕יתָ כְּכֹ֛ל אֲשֶׁר־יִקְרָ֥א אֵלֶ֖יךָ הַנָּכְרִ֑י לְמַ֣עַן יֵדְעוּן֩ כָּל־עַמֵּ֨י הָאָ֜רֶץ אֶת־שְׁמֶ֗ךָ לְיִרְאָ֤ה אֹֽתְךָ֙ כְּעַמְּךָ֣ יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל (Perek 8:43) |
Go for the LandmarksThere are so many different things to do and places to visit in Israel, whether it be horseback riding on the King's own personal stallions, touring the King's palace, or visiting the Beit Hamikdash! From fun family activities to spiritual experiences, Israel has everything and more! Visitors won't have a second to sit while in this holy land. Make sure to say hello to the King in his brand new castle!
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Food
One of the reasons why the nation is so enamored with its King is because they get to dine with him! It's true! Every day King Shlomo holds massive meals with his court. יְהִ֥י לֶֽחֶם־שְׁלֹמֹ֖ה לְי֣וֹם אֶחָ֑ד שְׁלֹשִׁ֥ים כֹּר֙ סֹ֔לֶת וְשִׁשִּׁ֥ים כֹּ֖ר קָֽמַח ׃
(Perek 5:2-3) עֲשָׂרָ֨ה בָקָ֜ר בְּרִאִ֗ים וְעֶשְׂרִ֥ים בָּקָ֛ר רְעִ֖י וּמֵ֣אָה צֹ֑אן לְ֠בַד מֵֽאַיָּ֤ל וּצְבִי֙ וְיַחְמ֔וּר וּבַרְבֻּרִ֖ים אֲבוּסִֽים
The King's daily meals consist of : 30 kors of fine flour,
60 kors of course flour,
10 fattened cows,
20 grass-fed cows,
100 sheep and goats, besides deer and geese.
If someone thinks they have ever been to a real feast before, they would be sorely mistaken!
(Perek 5:2-3) עֲשָׂרָ֨ה בָקָ֜ר בְּרִאִ֗ים וְעֶשְׂרִ֥ים בָּקָ֛ר רְעִ֖י וּמֵ֣אָה צֹ֑אן לְ֠בַד מֵֽאַיָּ֤ל וּצְבִי֙ וְיַחְמ֔וּר וּבַרְבֻּרִ֖ים אֲבוּסִֽים
The King's daily meals consist of : 30 kors of fine flour,
60 kors of course flour,
10 fattened cows,
20 grass-fed cows,
100 sheep and goats, besides deer and geese.
If someone thinks they have ever been to a real feast before, they would be sorely mistaken!
Culture
The Jews are a very interesting people. Three times a year, the Jews all make the journey to Jerusalem for the Shalosh Regalim, when they have an obligation to bring korbanot to Hashem in the brand new Beit Hamikdash.
King Shlomo is a pretty rad king and would like to be on good terms with everyone no matter whom they may be. He wants to be very open with the surrounding nations, thinking that if they see the splendor of the Beit Hamikdash then they will also see the splendor of God. Because of this, he extends invitations to anyone who follows in the way of God to also come to the Beit Hamikdash, not just to the Jews. This causes some slight controversy because some people do not think that simply seeing the splendor of Israel and the Beit Hamikdash will turn them towards God.
King Shlomo is a pretty rad king and would like to be on good terms with everyone no matter whom they may be. He wants to be very open with the surrounding nations, thinking that if they see the splendor of the Beit Hamikdash then they will also see the splendor of God. Because of this, he extends invitations to anyone who follows in the way of God to also come to the Beit Hamikdash, not just to the Jews. This causes some slight controversy because some people do not think that simply seeing the splendor of Israel and the Beit Hamikdash will turn them towards God.
Landmarks
There are a few landmarks that one simply must visit when they are in Israel.
1. The King's Palace
King Shlomo's palace, which took seven years to build, is probably one of the most famous structures in Israel, second only to the Beit Hamikdash. This palace is full of unique features and is not just the average walk through a musty old castle. One amazing feature is described by the Mitzudat David, who says:
כן היה נקרא , כי לפי רוב העמודים שעמדו בה , היה נראה כיער המרובה באילנות או , שבנהו במקום יער הלבנון , כי היה מנהג המלכים בזמן ההוא לבנות
(Perek 7:2 metzudat david ) להם בית ביער , להתקרר שם בימי הקיץ , ועשויה היא בחלונות מרובים , להכניס שם האויר
Here he talks about how there appears to be a forest inside the palace. He explains how it is normally the custom for kings to build a palace in the forest, but here, Shlomo brought the forest to the palace. Inside this forest room there are plenty of windows for natural sunlight and lots of cool air, which is very pleasant during the hot Israeli summers.
The palace is also filled with lavish rooms, beautiful gardens, and many other exciting things, but we don't want to give away too much. It's better than any museum and more exciting than an amusement park. Shlomo's palace is a definite must-see.
2. The Beit Hamikdash
The Beit Hamikdash is a sight to behold. After one look at it, it is easy to understand why it took thirteen years to build. Covered with precious stones with everything inlaid with gold, the Beit Hamikdash is befitting as the house of God. What is fascinating about the building of the Beit Hamikdash was that only finished stones were used, and no iron tools were near the build site during the entire time it was being built. There are winding staircases and cedar beams that surround the inner chamber and Cyprus floors. There are not simply cedar walls, but there are also carvings of gourds and flowers on them, and everything in the inner chamber is overlaid with gold. In the innermost part of the inner chamber sits the Aron and Kruvim. The doors to the inner chamber are made of olive wood while the general courtyard doors are made of Ole-aster wood. Although the details can be described, words simply do not do the beauty and greatness of the Beit Hamikdash justice.
King Shlomo built the Beit Hamikdash to fulfill his father's, King David's, dream and to keep the promise that his father made with God. This is a very spiritual place, as it is where God resides. Everyone and anyone is welcome to the Beit Hamikdash if they are looking to follow and practice the ways of God.
1. The King's Palace
King Shlomo's palace, which took seven years to build, is probably one of the most famous structures in Israel, second only to the Beit Hamikdash. This palace is full of unique features and is not just the average walk through a musty old castle. One amazing feature is described by the Mitzudat David, who says:
כן היה נקרא , כי לפי רוב העמודים שעמדו בה , היה נראה כיער המרובה באילנות או , שבנהו במקום יער הלבנון , כי היה מנהג המלכים בזמן ההוא לבנות
(Perek 7:2 metzudat david ) להם בית ביער , להתקרר שם בימי הקיץ , ועשויה היא בחלונות מרובים , להכניס שם האויר
Here he talks about how there appears to be a forest inside the palace. He explains how it is normally the custom for kings to build a palace in the forest, but here, Shlomo brought the forest to the palace. Inside this forest room there are plenty of windows for natural sunlight and lots of cool air, which is very pleasant during the hot Israeli summers.
The palace is also filled with lavish rooms, beautiful gardens, and many other exciting things, but we don't want to give away too much. It's better than any museum and more exciting than an amusement park. Shlomo's palace is a definite must-see.
2. The Beit Hamikdash
The Beit Hamikdash is a sight to behold. After one look at it, it is easy to understand why it took thirteen years to build. Covered with precious stones with everything inlaid with gold, the Beit Hamikdash is befitting as the house of God. What is fascinating about the building of the Beit Hamikdash was that only finished stones were used, and no iron tools were near the build site during the entire time it was being built. There are winding staircases and cedar beams that surround the inner chamber and Cyprus floors. There are not simply cedar walls, but there are also carvings of gourds and flowers on them, and everything in the inner chamber is overlaid with gold. In the innermost part of the inner chamber sits the Aron and Kruvim. The doors to the inner chamber are made of olive wood while the general courtyard doors are made of Ole-aster wood. Although the details can be described, words simply do not do the beauty and greatness of the Beit Hamikdash justice.
King Shlomo built the Beit Hamikdash to fulfill his father's, King David's, dream and to keep the promise that his father made with God. This is a very spiritual place, as it is where God resides. Everyone and anyone is welcome to the Beit Hamikdash if they are looking to follow and practice the ways of God.