Day 14 - Exploring the Golan (Netzach)

We woke up this morning bright and early to the beautiful view of the Kinneret right outside our hotel room. Shortly after breakfast we continued the day with tefillah, all the girls sat together listening closely to Rabbi Benji as he spoke about the way in which tefillah acts as a personal meeting with Hashem as well as explaining the first verse of the Amida and the meaning behind it. I really felt that it was very special that schools that say this prayer every day were finally able to learn about why and what we are actually saying, this definitely made our morning shacharit much more meaningful and will continue to make our tefillah meaningful in the future.

Soon after we left the north and were on our way to Tzvat. The bus ride was filled with laughter and excitement as we made our way to the holy and spiritual land of Tzvat. Upon our arrival our group started talking about the beautiful city of Tzvat, Gila stating that the four holiest cities in Israel (one of which being Tzvat) each represent a different element: Jerusalem being fire (because it is the strengthening land of the Jewish people), Tzvat being air (because of the strong spiritual presence), Chevron being earth (because our forefathers are buried there) and Tiberius being water (because it is close to the Sea of Galilee). When we first arrived in Tzvat we went to a mikvah and had a really interesting discussion with an incredible woman about the intimacy and spirituality of a woman when fulfilling the mitzvah of going to the mikvah. We spoke about the Halacha regarding woman going to the mikvah as well as the spiritual cleansing and purification that occurs when you immerse yourself in a mikvah. We were then given the chance to walk around in the old city of Tzvat. We were surrounded by an array of art galleries, jewellery markers and delicious food. Personally, it was very hard to contain myself when looking at all the jewellery.. let's just say that it would have been really easy to spend all of my money today.

After roaming the streets of Tzvat with a freshly squeezed pomegranate juice in hand and beautiful Israeli jewellery around our necks we were ready for our next adventure... donkey riding! As soon as we met eyes with the donkeys, adrenaline immediately started pumping, we were given traditional clothes that were worn during the time of the Midrash which definetly added to the atmosphere. Once everyone had gone on their donkeys and given them names, the cameras starting going crazy everyone was laughing and taking pictures together - it was great. Most people had a smooth ride except the unlucky few who spend more time on the floor than on the donkey. When we finished riding the donkeys we learnt about the way that people would make bread 2000 years ago and were talked through the long process of harvesting the grain and cooking the bread that sustained the Jews for many many years. Soon after we were invited inside for a delicious dinner consisting of hummus, chicken, kebabs, rice, Israeli salad and pita followed by tea and dates. This was a really great way to end off the experience.

Amy