Day 04 - Galilee: Katzrin (cultural experience), Tel Dan, Caesarea Philippi, Mount Bental

Our morning started with a wardrobe change. We arrived at our initial destination and were escorted to a rack of first century tunics and a basket of head coverings. After sifting through our clothing options and donning our outfit of choice, we entered the scene of the ancient village of Katzrin. While Katzrin is not in the Bible, it is the only archaeological site that represents a 1st century Jewish village which allows visitors to experience authentic daily activities on site. A village local, Asher, guided us to a gat shemen (olive press) where a few of us were able to help crush and press olives into oil. We then huddled in a house that had been restored, read Mark 2:1-12 and envisioned the story of the paralyzed man being lowered through the roof of a similar home where Jesus was preaching. We wrapped up this cultural experience making homemade flatbreads in a garden cove. There was a spread of Israeli delicacies to top our flatbreads including: labaneh (the Israeli version of cream cheese), za’atar (a spice blend of hyssop, sesame seeds and salt) mixed with fresh pressed olive oil, Israeli olives (which Asher described as olives with an attitude), and the crowd favorite…pomegranate jelly.

We fast forwarded 2000 years and made a quick stop at a current day olive oil facility where we tasted olive oils and sampled olive oil cosmetics.

Next the Biblical phrase “from Dan to Beersheba” came into context for us. We were in the southern border of Old Testament Israel, Beersheba, on Day 1, and today we visited Dan which is the northern border of Israel still to this day. We were literally at the Israeli/Lebanon border. We studied how the tribe of Dan renamed this city from Laish to Dan, as well as Abram coming to rescue Lot from this place.

Caesarea Philippi was our next stop. Here we saw temple ruins from Pan, Zeus and Augustus, and the gates of Hades. This is also a place where Jesus brought his disciples and proclaimed Peter as the rock on which His church would be built.

Our final stop was Mount Bental. From 3000 feet, we peered down at the Israeli/Syrian border and traversed empty bunkers in this fortress that can be inhabited by Israeli troops within hours if there is a threat on the country.

As we drove back to our resort, the sun was setting and the Jewish Shabbat was beginning. We celebrated several people in our group getting baptized in the Sea of Galilee! Our day concluded with a Shabbat dinner and we had worship time singing by the Sea with Joshua playing the guitar.

Shabbat Shalom!

Jennifer Sherick