Shabbat Shalom!

Today was our last day in Galilee, and though we are sad to leave this beautiful area, we are ready to finally head to Jerusalem. Our guide, Ronen, told us on the first day of our trip that one-day we would be ready. That day has come.

Our last day in Galilee was a peaceful day, a Sabbath day. We started our day with a boat ride across the Sea of Galilee. Along the way we sang songs and danced and celebrated the beauty that we have experienced so far. While on the boat we began to wonder what an ancient boat might have looked like to Jesus and his disciples. And as it turns out, the spot we arrived at on the other side of the lake held such a treasure.

We had the opportunity to view an Ancient fishing boat from the 1st century that Jesus and his disciples may have used. Though there is no way to tell who exactly owned the boat, the majesty of seeing such an old vessel right before our eyes reminded us that these were real people, in real times.

After our boat experience along the Sea of Galilee, we headed out to Beit She’an. As soon as we entered the stone gates our mouths nearly hit the floor. The beautiful Roman city extended out to the Tel along the mountains. Though only 10% of the site has been excavated, the grandeur of the city left us speechless. Ronen guided us through the city showing us the amazing amphitheater, the stunning mosaics along the floor, the smooth marble that later covered these mosaics, the bathhouse, the ancient toilets, even the ancient roman boutique where shop owners would crowd the streets to sell to their customers. The site was absolutely incredible.

We hopped back on the bus and headed out to our last two stops in Galilee. The first was a synagogue discovered in Beth Alfa. There we had the opportunity to watch a short film on how the beautiful mosaic floor came to be. Leaving the air-conditioned theater we moved to our last site in Galilee, The Hills of Gilboa, where we also caught a glimpse of the Harod Stream.

It was here that we learned of Gideon and his soldiers who drove the Midianites out of Israel. As we sat on the grass and ate our lunch we looked out to the many families who brought their children to play in the natural spring. Their excitement and laughter gave us smiles ourselves.

As we approached the end of the afternoon, we headed back to the shore to spend the remainder of the day in rest. It is Sabbath here in Israel. Back in the US this is something that we have lost sight of. All of Israel has seemed to come to a halt. The stores are closed, the roads empty, yet the water was filled with laughter from the mouths of families, remembering the beauty that comes with rest and restoration.

So today, we rest. But tomorrow, Jerusalem.