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10 Best place to visit in Bet Shemesh Israel
Best Sites at Galilee in one day tour at Israel
04-6794919 mail: sara52@012.net.il
Belvoir Fortress-
April-September: 8 A.M.-5 P.M.
October-March: 8 A.M- 4 P.M.
Last entrance one hour before above closing hour
Length of tour: 1 hour
Entrance fee: Adult: NIS 22; child: NIS 10
Phone: 04-658-1766
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Bet She'an National Park-
opning time- April-September: Sunday-Thursday 8 A.M.-5 P.M.
October-March 8 A.M.-4 P.M.
Friday 8 A.M. -4 P.M.; Saturday 8 A.M.-5 P.M.
Length of tour: 1-4 hours
Entrance fee: NIS 40; child: NIS 24
Phone: 04-6587189
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Mount Tabor-
opning time is not clear- it publish:
April-September: Sunday-Thursday 8 A.M.-6 P.M.
October-March 8 A.M.-5 P.M
Length of tour: 1 hours
Entrance fee: free
Phone: 04-6620720
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The Wedding Church at Kfar Kanna-
opning time:
Apr-Sep Mon-Sat 8am-noon, 2-5.30pm, Sun 8am-noon;
Oct-Mar Mon-Sat 8am-noon, 2-5pm, Sun 8am-noon
Length of tour: 1 hours
Entrance fee: free
Phone: 04-6517011
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Basilica of the Annunciation at Nazareth -
Open Hours:8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tel. 04-6572501
Length of tour: 1 hours
Entrance fee: free
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Thank you from Arbel Guest House Shavit Famliy-
near the sea of galilee at north of the Holy Land
Surrounded by gardens and fruit trees, Arbel Guest House features an outdoor swimming pool and a sun terrace. The spacious accommodation has a hydromassage bath and free Wi-Fi.
The in-house chef prepares the extensive breakfast and evening meals in front of the diners. Meals are served in the bright dining room which overlooks the garden, and there are also barbecue facilities.
Located 10 minutes' drive from the historic town of Tiberias and the Sea of Galilee, Guest House Arbel offers free parking.
phone: 04-6794919
Music:
DIY Destinations - Israel Budget Travel Show | Full Episode
This episode of DIY Destinations featuring Israel, and its FREE and inexpensive, must-see attractions from the North to the South, including Tel Aviv Port, Banana Beach, Old Jaffa and Jaffa Flea Market, Ben Gurion House, Carmel Market, Beit Guvrin National Park, Tiberias, Sea of Galilee, Golan Heights' Quneitra Observation Point for view of Syria, Basilica of the Annunciation and Salesian Church of Jesus the Adolescent in Nazareth. As well as nightlife in Haifa, along with Mount Carmel, Stella Maris Monastery, Bahai Gardens, Carmelit Metro Subway and Grand Canyon Mall. We'll end our journey in Eilat and taken a look of both King City and the free beaches for snorkelling Princess Beach near the Taba Crossing to Egypt.Our mission is to create a free publicly funded travel series that is delivered through streaming and file sharing sites. Our goal is to take fear out of traveling and inspire our audience to go far and explore the magnificent planet earth inexpensive and safely.
We want all of us to creating connections with new people, experiencing other cultures and gaining a greater understanding of each other by offer a unique perspective of traveling on a budget.
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Top10 Recommended Hotels in Safed, Israel
Subscribe to the channelTop10 Recommended Hotels in Safed, Israel: 1. Ruth Rimonim Hotel ****
2. Villa Galilee Boutique Hotel and Spa ****
3. Artist Quarter Guesthouse B&B
4. Artists' Colony Inn Zefat
5. Palacio Domain - Luxurious Boutique Hotel ****
6. Canaan Spa Hotel *****
7. Azamra Inn Tzfat
8. Nofesh Baatika ***
9. The Way Inn - Boutique Hotel
10. Safed Inn **
Houses and flats for rent
Rental cars
Use this link to list your property (hotel, house, room, etc.) on booking and your first 5 bookings will be commission-free.
Address:
1. Artist Colony, Safed, 13110, Israel, Price range $149 - $390
Set on the site of a 700-year-old mamluk khan in the Old City of Safed, Hotel Ruth Rimonim is a unique building overlooking Mount Meron. Its extensive gardens include a swimming pool with stunning views and an olive orchard showing traces of an ancient perfume market.
2. 106 Hagdud Hashlishi Street, Safed, 13100, Israel, Price range $149 - $364
Located on Mount Canaan, Villa Galilee is just a few minutes' drive from the historic city of Safed and Rosh Pinna. This beautiful boutique hotel offers peaceful location, a seasonal outdoor swimming pool and a kosher French restaurant.
3. 43 Simtah Yud Zayin, Safed, 93223, Israel, Price range $162 - $252
Combining traditional style and modern amenities, Artist Quarter Guesthouse B&B is located in Safed close to numerous art galleries and ancient synagogues. It offers self-catering accommodation with free WiFi and a Kosher breakfast.
4. Simtat Yud Zayin 9, Safed, 13231, Israel, Price range $213 - $275
Set in a fully renovated stone villa, Artists' Colony offers stylish suites with free Wi-Fi. Located in the ancient mountain city of Safed, it features a garden and panoramic terrace.
5. 90 Rehov Yud Bet Street, Safed, 13012, Israel, Price range $274 - $790
Palacio Domain - Luxurious Boutique Hotel is a boutique property in Safed, and is set in a renovated 12th-century building. The hotel is in the heart of Safed's artists neighbourhood.
6. Mount Of Canaan P.O.Box-2109, Safed, 13233 , Israel, Price range $261 - $1363
Set on the summit of Mount Canaan, this luxury spa hotel offers tennis and basketball courts plus a wellness centre with semi-Olympic indoor pool, saunas, hot tub and Hammam.
7. 11 Simtat Yud Zain, Safed, 1321300, Israel, Price range $213 - $244
Featuring free WiFi and air conditioning, Azamra Inn Tzfat is set in Safed, a few steps from Artist Colony.
8. Abbo 55, Safed, 13401, Israel, Price range $120 - $325
Nofesh Baatika is located in Safed. Free WiFi access is available in this holiday home. The accommodation will provide you with air conditioning and a seating area.
9. Simtat Yud Zayin 23, Zefat, 13231, Israel, Price range $188 - $339
Located in the Artists' Colony quarter of Safed, The Way Inn - Boutique Hotel features a sun terrace and views of the Galilee Hills.
10. Corners Of Merom Canaan St. & Hagdud Hashlishi St., Safed, 13100, Israel, Price range $56 - $123
Offering a large garden with hot tub, sauna and BBQ, the family-run Safed Inn is a unique property on top of Mount Canaan, 4.5 km outside the centre of Safed. It also features a shared kitchen and it is completely covered with free Wi-Fi.
Houses and flats for rent
Rental cars
Use this link to list your property (hotel, house, room, etc.) on booking and your first 5 bookings will be commission-free.
Beit Shemesh Aerial / בית שמש
Beth Shemesh Aerial6 3 2023 Beit Shemesh
ISRAEL - Ancient Shiloh
Ancient Shiloh.After Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt, a portable Tabernacle was built to house the Arc of the Covenant, where the stone slabs of the 10 commandments were kept together with a golden jar of Manna and Aaron's Rod.
After wandering 40 years in the desert, the Israelites arrive at the promised land and a more permanent Tabernacle was built at Shiloh, making it the first holy place where all the 12 tribes of Israel gathered to worship.
The Arc stayed at Shiloh for 369 years, it was then taken to Eben-Ezer where the Israelites were at battle with the Philistines (not Arabs), and had already lost some 4000 men. It was hoped that the presence of God would encourage the men and help them succeed at battle.
However, that was not to be and another 30000 Jews were killed. The Arc of the Covenant was lost to the enemy.
The rejoicing Philistines took the Ark to several of their cities, and at each place great misfortune befell them, after seven months they returned the Arc to the Israelites at Beth-Shemesh.
Beit Shemesh to Jerusalem for Coffee
It's a short drive through green forests along a modern highway from Beit Shemesh to Jerusalem. Why not hop into town for coffee with friends?Village Israel -
Where all of Israel is your village
Traveling Hwy. 1 on the bus in Israel from Jerusalem to Bet Shemesh - Ride With Me, Steve Martin
Traveling Hwy. 1 on the bus in Israel from Jerusalem to Bet Shemesh - Ride With Me, Steve MartinOct. 26, 2022 Israel
Videos filmed and shared by Steve Martin, Founder, Love For His People Ministry in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA.
Tel Jarmuth - Aerial view (BibleWalks.com)
Ruins of a large Early Bronze city are located in Ramat Beit Shemesh Gimel. The ruins cover an area of over 200 dunam, and include lower and upper cities. A large impressive palace was excavated and underwent an archaeological conservation project. The acropolis Tel on the eastern side, with multi period levels, has not been yet thoroughly excavated.The identification of the site as Jarmuth is based on its size, the location and the preserved Arabic name (Khirbet Yarmuk). In Hebrew it is named Tel Yarmut.
Jarmuth was one of the Canaanite cities that tried to block the Israelite conquest (Joshua 10:5): Therefore the five kings of the Amorites ... the king of Jarmuth... gathered themselves together, and went up, they and all their hosts, and encamped before Gibeon, and made war against it. Jarmuth was occupied by the tribe of Judah (Joshua 15:20,35 ): This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Judah...Jarmuth, and Adullam, Socoh, and Azekah. It was a Levitical city (Joshua 21:27): And unto the children of Gershon...Jarmuth with her suburbs....
The drone rises over the southern gate complex (Early Bronze Age), then crosses above the great palace (also Early Bronze), continues towards the acropolis.
More:
Lessons from the Life of Samson, Delilah, Sampson Overview, Beth Shemesh, Israel, Philistines
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Samson is one of the most difficult Bible persons to understand. Filmed on location in Israel, where Samson's life took place, this video explains the life of Samson. See all the places where Samson traversed and understand God's lesson for us today from the life of Samson.
Timnah is mentioned 10 times in the Bible. Today, biblical Timnah is called Tel Batash, which is very little visited and undeveloped. It's hard to access as it's located in the midst of farm fields. The life of Samson takes place in the period of the Judges, which is about 1400 BC.
Sites of Interest
1. Tel Beth-Shemesh
2. Sorek Valley
3. Nahal Sorek Stream
4. Zorah - Samson's Tomb
5. Tel Timnah (Tel Batash)
6. Modern Beth-Shemesh
Places of Interest at Timnah, Zorah, Lehi
1. Street
2. Residential home
3. Oil press
4. Observation tent
5. City gate
6. Nahal Sorek Stream
7. Samson’s tomb
8. Samson’s hometown
9. Place God provided water for Samson
Near Jerusalem. The Ultra-Orthodox city. Beth Shemesh: Ramat Beit Shemesh Aleph quarter
Virtual video walk in the Ultra Orthodox city of Beit Shemesh near Jerusalem. Quiet streets and there are not many people outside. Lots of different buildings and nice parks. Ramat Beit Shemesh AlephAutumn, Workday, 2PM, 27°C / 80.6°F
Instagram:
Become a member to show your support!
Coordinates - Start of walk:
31.71379, 34.98868
Route on Google Maps ( Hot Pink color):
All Routes on Google Maps:
Route timestamps:
00:00 Drone
03:11 Ramat Beit Shemesh Aleph Center / Shopping center
04:24 Nachal Nisanim St 12, Bet Shemesh
06:13 Nachal Tze'elim Ave
07:25 Nahal HaKishon Boulevard
11:09 Nahal Ayalon St. / Ayalon Park
18:18 Zvulun Hamer Square
19:10 Nahal Ayalon St.
20:50 Park Dolev Timna
23:37 Nahal Dolev St.
42:31 Nahar Hayarden Ave
43:02 Playground / Park
43:29 Nahar Hayarden Ave
46:36 Nahal Ye'elah St.
49:50 Nahal Ktalav St.
57:06 Park / Playground
57:43 Nachal Micha St.
01:02:07 Nachal Sorek St.
01:04:18 Park / Playground
01:06:14 Nahal Hakishon Ave
01:07:47 Nachal Sorek St.
01:08:42 Nachal Nisanim St.
Relaxing Walk. No action, Video walks for Relaxation. Enjoy!
All videos in 4k,6k,8k and 25/30/50/60 fps
Link to this video:
My Gear:
Camera - Sony a7s3
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1. This channel - Relaxing WALKER
2. Nature in ISRAEL
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4. Night WALKS
#relaxingwalker #natureinisrael #virtualjerusalem #nightwalks
Bet She'an (Beit She'an )-the most beautiful ancient Roman city in Israel-UNESCO World Heritage site
An important and personal request from me (followed by information about the site): unfortunately as a tour guide I have not worked since February 2020. Please subscribe to my site and let me show you the Holy Land through itOn my YouTube site, you can watch more than 18,000 videos about Israel and the Holy Land
I would be happy if you could share the site with your other friends who are interested in the rich and sacred history of the place
Beit Shean is one of the oldest cities in Israel. Often overlooked by tourists, it’s worth a visit. Like most places in Israel Beit Shean has several names – Scythopolis, Tel Beit Shean, Tel el-Husn, Tel el-Hosn, Beisan, and Nysa. It is located in the Galilee region of northern Israel where the Harod Valley and Jordan Valley meet, just 27km south of the Sea of Galilee and 5km east of the Jordan River, and is one of the country’s largest archaeological sites. The site is visited on our Galilee and Beit Shean Tour which runs twice a week from Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.
History of Beit Shean
Beit Shean was settled as early as the Chalcolithic era (about 7000 years ago) and has remained continually inhabited since then. The extensive excavation of a large mound in Beit Shean has revealed over 20 layers of remains from ancient civilizations. Canaanite Temples pre-date Egyptian occupation of the region followed by Israelite rule and the Philistines during the Old Testament period. Beit Shean is mentioned in the Bible several times and is best known as the site where King Saul and his sons were hung from the city walls. The city remained a significant metropolis during the reign of King David and King Solomon. The Hellenistic period followed when the city was renamed, Scythopolis after Dionysus’ nurse who was believed to have been buried here.
In the 1st century AD, Beit Shean became a flourishing multi-cultural Roman city and one of 10 cities in the Decapolis regional league. Beit Shean was the Roman provincial capital in the 4th century AD but following an earthquake in 749 AD the city never truly regained its former status. Since then the Crusaders, Mamluks, Ottomans, British, and finally Israelis have each settled in Beit Shean.
Today the main attraction in Beit Shean is the Archaeological National Park where tourists can see the history of Israel through the archaeological remains from each historic period. On the elevated mound are remains of the Canaanite and Egyptian cities and at the foot of the mound are the extensive remains of the Roman city. The excavation and reconstruction offer a clear picture of what the city would have looked like. This former Roman metropolis was home to 30,000 to 40,000 citizens and covered approximately 370 acres.
Visitors to the park can see the ancient wall that surrounded the city, public baths, a Roman temple, stores, artisan workshops, and other well-preserved structures. The central Palladius street runs for 24 meters and is lined by colonnades. Historians established that the street was named after a 4th-century Roman governor after uncovering an inscription. There are rare mosaics and a Roman amphitheater which is still in use today.
Zahi Shaked A tour guide in Israel and his camera zahigo25@walla.com +972-54-6905522 tel סיור עם מורה הדרך ומדריך הטיולים צחי שקד 0546905522
My name is Zahi Shaked
In 2000 I became a registered licensed tourist guide.
My dedication in life is to pass on the ancient history of the Holy Land.
Following upon many years of travel around the world, which was highlighted by a very exciting emotional and soul-searching meeting with the Dalai Lama, I realized that I had a mission. To pass on the history of the Holy Land, its religions, and in particular, the birth and development of Christianity.
In order to fulfill this calling in the best way possible, I studied in depth, visited, and personally experienced each and every important site of the ancient Christians. I studied for and received my first bachelors degree in the ancient history of the Holy Land, and am presently completing my studies for my second degree.(Masters)
Parralel to my studies, and in order to earn a living, I was employed for many years in advertising. What I learned there was how to attract the publics attention, generate and, increase interest, and assimilate information. All this I use as tools to describe, explain and deepen the interest in the sites that we visit. From my experience, I have learned that in this way, the Holy Land becomes more than just history, and that the large stones that we see scattered about in dissaray, join together one by one until they become - a Byzantine Church. This also happens when I lead a group of Pilgrims in the Steps of Jesus. We climb to the peak of Mount Precipice, glide over the land to the Sea of Galilee, land on the water and see the miracle which enfolds before us.
Beth Shemesh, Israel: Return of the Ark by the Philistines, Samson, Samuel, Sorek Valley, Zorah
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See Tel Beth Shemesh and the place where the Philistines returned the Ark of the Covenant back to Israel during the days of Samuel.
Location
1. Beth-Shemesh lies 13 miles (21 km.) west of Jerusalem and 20 miles (32 km.) east of the Mediterranean Sea. It’s on Hwy. 38, about 5.5 miles (8 km.) south of Hwy. 1.
2. Beth-Shemesh was the most important city in the Sorek Valley as it was a guard-city to both east-west and north-south traffic through the region.
3. It was a border city between Judah and Dan that was given to the Levites.
4. Just across the valley (north) is the town of Zorah, where Samson lived. Some ruins and his tomb can be seen today.
5. Down the valley (west) a short distance was the town of Timnah, the hometown of Samson’s first wife, and the area where his girlfriend Delilah lived.
6. Beth-Shemesh means “House of the Sun” and probably got its name from sun worship by the Canaanites.
7. Beth-Shemesh is most known as the place where the Ark of the Covenant arrived when it was returned by the Philistines in 1 Samuel 6.
Historical Background
1. Beth Shemesh was a large thriving city belonging to the Canaanites when the Israelites arrived in about 1400 BC.
2. The Philistines were part of the Canaanite people group who lived in the land (Gen. 21:34). They possessed iron and were the high-tech people of the day.
3. At the time of Judges and 1 Samuel (1050 AD), the Philistines had a stronghold in the coastal plain area.
4. As the Philistines gained territory, they moved inland. Beth Shemesh and the cities in the Sorek Valley were affected and became border towns between the Philistines and the Israelites.
5. Samson, who lived across from Beth Shemesh in Zorah, engaged in battle with the Philistines to liberate the area from their grasp and return it to the Israelites.
6. The Philistines worshipped the false god, Dagon, who was supposedly the father of Baalsabul, or Baal. He was a fish god of fertility and was represented as a half-man, half-fish creature.
Places of Interest
1. Tel Beth-Shemesh
• 5th century AD Byzantine Monastery
• Underground Water Reservoir
• Northern Double Chambered Gate
• Southern Gate
• Mosque Ruins
• Tombs
• Large rock where the Israelites did the burnt offering after receiving back the Ark of the Covenant from the Philistines.
2. Sorek Valley
3. Nahal Sorek Stream
4. Zorah
• Samson's Tomb
5. Tel Timnah
6. Modern Beth-Shemesh
בריכה סודית ליד בית שמש. #טיולים #מעיינות
Israel Culinary Tour - Day 7
Day 7Start the day with a scenic drive to the Eshtaol Forest, located about 30 minutes west of Jerusalem. This area is famous as the scene of Samson's exploits, and includes Tel Zor'a, where Samson's traditional tomb is located. As a Nazirite, this biblical strongman wasn't allowed to drink wine. Assuming you have no such restrictions, click here for a list of wineries in the Judean Mountains and Lowlands that you can incorporate into your day.
Drive to the Elah Valley famous for the biblical story of David's battle with Goliath, where wine and table grapes are being grown as they were in Bible times.
Continue to Tel Maresha located in Beit Govrin National Park. The area is known for its manmade caves dating back to the Hellenistic period. These subterranean complexes served as the industrial zone of the city producing oil that was mostly exported to Egypt, and you can see a restored olive press in one of them.
Drive through the desert town of Arad to enjoy Bedouin hospitality in the Nokdim Farm (please book in advance: 08-9950097) or in the picturesque village of Drejat (054-7969576;
Overnight in the Arad area.
For additional itinerary suggestions, please see:
Beit Shemesh ➪ Jerusalem Driving in Israel 2021 בית שמש ⇦ ירושלים ישראל
Driving on roads with beautiful natural views of IsraelDriving across the Green Line 23:03
Highway 38 ( Beit Shemesh) 00:00 כביש 38 (בית שמש)
Highway 38 02:30 כביש 38
Road 375 07:10 כביש 375
Highway 60 ( Tunnel Road) 28:24 (כביש המנהרות) כביש 60
Look for the ancient cross. Bell Caves of Bet Govrin-Maresha, Israel. #israel #cross #betgovrin
Information about the Bell Caves at Bet Guvrin-Maresha, Israel itself will be provided after this announcement. Unfortunately, I have not been able to work as a tour guide because of the war.Should you wish to support me and my videos please subscribe to my channel and let me guide you through the Holy Land via my videos. In this way, I will be able to continue to do my work of uploading to YouTube. Upon your request and in return I am very much happy to pray for you at the Western Wall and/or light a candle in your name at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre or anywhere else in the Holy Land of Israel.
Should you have a personal request I will be more than happy to respond and even film it in a personal video.
Support and purchase of goods from the Holy Land:
Support using PayPal:
Kindly share this site with your other friends/family that are interested in the rich and sacred history of Israel.
Thank you so much
Your tour guide
Zahi Shaked
Bet Guvrin-Maresha National Park is located in the heart of the Judean lowlands, a region of low hills, 250–350 m above sea level. The hills are covered with Mediterranean woodland mainly used for grazing, while the fertile soil that has collected in the valleys has been cultivated since
ancient times. Within the national park, which covers about 5,000 dunams (1,250 acres), is the biblical city of Maresha. During the Roman period Maresha was abandoned and the settlement
moved to nearby Bet Guvrin. At that time, Bet Guvrin straddled an important junction on the road from Lod and Ashkelon to Hebron and Jerusalem. The national park is famed for the numerous and fascinating caves dug by its ancient inhabitants. These caves served many purposes – as quarries, cisterns, storerooms, dovecotes, tombs, storage chambers for produce and shelters for farm animals.
Hewn caves are a common phenomenon in the lowlands because the rocks that make up the region are soft, lightcolored chalk that is easy to quarry. In many places the chalk is covered with a harder crust, known as nari, some 1.5–3.0 m thick.
Following the destruction of Maresha, Bet Guvrin became the region’s most important city. The name Bet Guvrin first appears in the writings of the Jewish historian Josephus
Flavius, who reported that the Romans, led by Vespasian, conquered Bet Guvrin in 68 CE.
In 200 CE, Emperor Septimus Severus granted Bet Guvrin the status of a city and changed its name to Eleutheropolis (“city of the freedmen”). The city controlled the area between the coastal plain and the Dead Sea and between Bet Shemesh and the Be’er Sheva Valley. Bet Guvrin became an important junction; five roads, along which milestones have been found, led to the city. Besides
dwellings, the city boasted an amphitheater and other public structures. There are no springs at Bet Guvrin, but during the Roman period two aqueducts channeled flowing water to the city from springs in the Judean Mountains. Slowly but surely the city’s Jewish population was renewed. In the 3rd and 4th centuries CE the city is mentioned in the Talmud and the Midrash. Renowned sages lived there, including Rabbi Yonatan and Rabbi Yehuda Ben-Ya‘akov.
Additional evidence of the growing Jewish population in the region comes from the remains of a large Jewish cemetery and a synagogue inscription. During the Byzantine period Bet Guvrin became an important Christian center and churches were built there. The Early Arab period saw most of the Bell Caves hewn and during the Crusader period a small fortified city existed here. The Church of St. Anne was restored at that time, during which small farming villages surrounded the city.
The Arab village of Bet Jibrin stood here until Israel’s War of Independence in 1948. In June of that year, the Egyptian army took over the British police station built here at the beginning of World War II. The area was taken by the Israel Defense Forces on October 27, 1948. Kibbutz Bet Guvrin
was founded in May 1949.
The Bell Caves - The Bell Caves, which are within the city limits of Bet Guvrin, were apparently hewn during the Byzantine and Early Muslim periods. The caves were used mainly as quarries and provided building material for cities on the coastal plain and for Bet Guvrin itself. The 10th-century Arab traveler Al Muqaddasi wrote of Bet Guvrin: “It is a land of richness and plenty, and in it are many marble quarries…”
Observation of biblical Tel Azekah on a spring tour in Israeli nature with magnificent blossoms.
Information about the Elah Valley itself will be provided after this announcement.Unfortunately, I have not been able to work as a tour guide because of the war.
Should you wish to support me and my videos please subscribe to my channel and let me guide you through the Holy Land via my videos. In this way, I will be able to continue to do my work of uploading to YouTube. Upon your request and in return I am very much happy to pray for you at the Western Wall and/or light a candle in your name at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre or anywhere else in the Holy Land of Israel.
Should you have a personal request I will be more than happy to respond and even film it in a personal video.
Support and purchase of goods from the Holy Land:
Support using PayPal:
Kindly share this site with your other friends/family that are interested in the rich and sacred
history of Israel.
Thank you so much
Your tour guide
Zahi Shaked
Mordechai Ben Yehuda
+972-54-7551302
### The Elah Valley
The Elah Valley, located in the Judean Lowlands south of Beit Shemesh, is known for its biblical significance as the site of David’s battle with Goliath. It serves as a natural corridor between the lowlands and the Judean Hills, making it strategically important throughout history. In 2019, it was designated a national park to preserve its historical and ecological value.
### Etymology
The valley’s name comes from the **Elah trees**, including Atlantic pistachio, mastic, and terebinth. The Arabic name, *Wadi es-Sunt*, refers to the **white acacia trees** found at the western edge.
### Geography
The valley stretches about 7 km from west to east, varying in width. It was shaped by tectonic activity and erosion from the **Elah Stream**, which drains into the **Lachish River**. Fertile alluvial soil and significant rainfall support agriculture and natural vegetation.
### Flora
The valley is primarily cultivated farmland, with Mediterranean vegetation along its edges, including **Pistacia palaestina, carob, common oak, white acacia, and Christ’s thorn jujube**. It is famous for wildflowers such as **red anemones and mountain lupines**.
### Historical Significance
#### Biblical Period
The Elah Valley is mentioned in the Bible in connection with the battle between David and Goliath (1 Samuel 17:1-2). It was home to ancient cities such as **Azekah, Sochoh, Jarmuth, Libnah, and Adullam**. In 2008, the **Khirbet Qeiyafa Ostracon**, the **oldest known Hebrew inscription**, was discovered here.
#### Second Temple and Roman Periods
During the Second Temple period, **Beit Letafa** served as a resting place for pilgrims. The Romans built a road through the valley linking **Jerusalem and Beit Guvrin**.
#### Middle Ages and Ottoman Period
The **Battle of Ajnadayn (634 CE)** took place here, marking a major Muslim victory over the Byzantines. In the 18th century, **Daher al-Omar** passed through with his army. **British explorers** in the 19th century described it as one of the most fertile regions in the land.
#### Modern Israel
During the **1948 War of Independence**, the **Convoy of the Thirty-Five** passed through on its way to Gush Etzion. The area was later secured by Israeli forces in **Operation HaHar**. In 1972, Israel’s **first satellite communication station** was built in the valley.
### Present-Day Elah Valley
The valley is home to **Kibbutz Netiv HaLamed-Heh** and **Moshav Neve Michael**, with surrounding communities like **Aviezer, Adderet,** and **Zekharia**. Key archaeological and biblical sites include:
- **Tel Sochoh**
- **Tel Azekah**
- **Tel Adullam**
- **Khirbet Qeiyafa**
- **Horbat Midras**
The valley remains an important historical and ecological site, blending biblical heritage with modern conservation efforts.
Beit She'arim | בית שערים Israel Video Tour
With David Hyman, professional tour guide. It can be challenging to find the entrance to this wonderful National Park, but if you do you will be rewarded with one of Israel's most amazing stories. I recommend starting your tour on the top of the hill, by the statue of Alexander Zaid riding his horse. Zaid is an icon in Israel, we learn about him in school and there is a popular song written about him and his work. ( Adama Admati.. = Land, my land)Zaid was stationed here in the 1920s t watch over land that was purchased by the JNF, and during his years roaming these hills, he stumbled upon mysterious caves with inscriptions and many Jewish symbols carved on the walls of the caves. Zaid asked his friends to help him explore these caves and the Necropolis of Beit Shearim was discovered. The Jewish village of Beit Shearim is not mentioned in the Bible, and Josephus notes that it was an agricultural farm belonging to Bernice, the Hasmonean princess. During the 2nd century, Beit Shearim was the hometown of the most prominent rabbi and sage of the time, Rabbi Yehudah HaNasi. The Sanhedrin moved to this town and assembled here for 20 years while Yehuda HaNassi was the Head of the Sanhedrin. After his death, Yehuda HaNassi was buried in a stone-cut cave under the city and this triggers the establishment of the Necropolis of Beit Shearim. For the next 250 years, many Jews from the land and from the diaspora wanted to be buried here, close to Rabbi. The excavations have revealed many of these cave complexes and it is possible to visit them and admire the vibrant artwork that was used to escort the deceased in their final journey back to their creator.
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Recorded by David Hyman with GoPro 9 Hero Black
Edited by David Hyman with Apple Imovie Mini Ipad
Music tracks for this video:
Wide Awake - The 126ers
Allabout - Lauren Dusky
Riding Bet Shemesh to Jerusalem
Train ride from Bet Shemesh to Jerusalem via Sorek Stream. (1.3X faster)Music:
Asaf Avidan - Love it or Leave it -
Piano Music -