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Tour Itinerary
Short Version
See itinerary at right  for details

ISRAEL

An Introduction to the

Spiritual Science of the Kabbalah

A mystical journey to introduce you to the

"The spiritual science of Kabbalah”

PLUS touring traditional Israel

Departures: Any Wednesday*, January 6 to October 27, 2010

*Subject to confirmation during Jewish Holidays

This special journey will show you the history of Kabbalah as you learn about ancient and contemporary Kabbalahists and finally understand what Kabbalah is all about through the connection between our physical world and the spiritual worlds by using numbers, letters, colors, and geometry.

 Journey through precious, quiet and intense energy, as you travel back and forth through thousands of emotions.  Explore the places where the spiritually advanced people used to receive their revelations.  Walk their steps and be at the places they used to meditate.

Then continue touring through Israel as you explore its best-known sites in Jerusalem, Rosh Hanikra, Acre, Haifa, Caesarea, Jaffa and Tel Aviv.  

 This is the perfect tour for those who want to combine spirituality with traditional touring.

Your Spiritual Hosts in Israel

TOUR ITINERARY
(B = Breakfast; L = Lunch; D = Dinner)

Day 1, Wednesday: Depart from home
Arrange your own flight reservations for the overnight trip to Tel Aviv.
Note: Body Mind Spirit Journeys will be happy to assist you with your flight plans.

Day 2, Thursday: Tel Aviv / on to Tzfat / Tour Begins (D)
Arrival in Tel Aviv. You will be met and transferred to your reserved accommodations in Tzfat – the Capital of Kabbalah – where you will experience the Spirit of the Kabbalah. The colorful lanes and passageways of ancient Tzfat radiate enchantment from every corner, and the spirit of the Kabbalah will show you the places where the mystics of Tzfat lived and worked. Balance of the day to relax. Dinner and overnight in Tzfat.
 
Day 3, Friday: In Tzfat (B/L)
After breakfast, there is a walking tour of ancient Tzfat – the birth place of Kabbalah – as you become familiar (right pic: ari.jpg) with the unique secrets of this very special city. Walk in the ancient alleys, visit the ancient synagogues and the places where the Kabbalists lived and worked. Synagogues to be visited will include:

The Rabbi Yosef Karo Synagogue was named for R’ Yosef Karo, master of Halacha – the Jewish law, and writer of “Shulhan Aruch" (code of Jewish Law). The synagogue was first built in the 16th century as a large Beit Midrash (house of Torah study), and was rebuilt after the 1759 earthquake, though in smaller dimensions.

The Ari Ashkenazi Synagogue that was established by Sephardic immigrants from Greece who arrived in Tzfat during the 16th century. The synagogue was built in the place where Rabbi Isaac Luria (The Ari) used to pray on the eve of Shabbat.

The day continues with a Kabbalah art show – “Understanding Kabbalah through art” plus an inspiring presentation: 'The Secret' – the mystical power of the Hebrew letters along with the study of the Ari Kabbalah.  The day concludes with a special Kabbalah workshop: Kabbalistic melodies composed by the greatest Kabbalist.  An awesome day.   Dinner and overnight in Tzfat.

Day 4, Saturday: In Tzfat (B/L)
Today, you will have a tour of Galilean nature – visiting Kabbalistic and mystical sites.  Among the sites to be visited will be the holy gravesites of Kabbalists, Amukah (love and relationship according to Kabbalah) and the Caves of Kabbalists. There will be a special study of Kabbalah at these Cave sites. The day concludes with a Galilean Medicinal Herbs workshop and Maimonides Spiritual Remedies. The Kabbalists taught the spiritual healing powers of herbs. Many of these herbs are found in the vicinity of Tzfat. You'll learn how to use these herbs for the healing of body and soul. Dinner and overnight in Tzfat.
 
Day 5, Sunday: To Rosh Hanikra / Acre / Haifa / Caesarea / Jerusalem (B/D)
After breakfast, depart Tzfat and drive to Rosh Hanikra, where you will descend by cable car to tour the limestone grottoes. Continue to Acre to visit the ancient crusaders city, walk along the old harbor and local market. Proceed to Haifa to view the Persian Gardens at the Bahai Temple. End the day in Caesarea, capital of Judea under the Romans, where you will visit the excavation of the ancient city, Roman theatre and aqueduct. Then, it’s on to Jerusalem, where you’ll check into your hotel. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.
 

Day 6, Monday: In Jerusalem (B/D)
This morning, it’s a special Kabbalistic prayer at the Western Wall as you will be led in a guided prayer according to the Jewish mystical tradition in the holiest place in Jerusalem where all prayers are accepted. This will be followed by a Workshop: “Building the Spiritual Temple, at the place where the first temple - built by King Solomon stood and you’ll learn the technique of the Kabbalists who taught how through meditation, we're able to make our bodies serve as spiritual temples for our souls. There will be a lecture on Prophecies in Kabbalah followed by a prayer at King David’s Tomb. The day concludes with a Workshop – the Kabbalistic secrets of the Book of Psalms - King David wrote the book of psalms according to the secrets of Kabbalah. In this workshop you'll learn these fascinating secrets and recite those special psalms. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.

Day 7, Tuesday: In Jerusalem / Excursion to the Dead Sea (B/D)
Today will be a full day of sightseeing as you head into the Judean Desert visiting a multitude of important and impressive sites. A stop will be made at Qumran where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered and where you’ll discuss the mystery of the Essenes, the mystical sect which may have influenced the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth. Then to Masada where you ascend by cable car to the spectacular cliff top fortress and can see the possible ruins of ancient Sodom, destroyed by a meteor storm some 4,000 years ago. Continue to Ein Gedi, a tropical-like resort for lunch. On to the Dead Sea where you will have time to experience a healing sulfurous mud bath and enjoy a swim in the salty mineral water. Be sure to bring your bathing suit.  Return to Jerusalem in the late afternoon for dinner and overnight.

Day 8, Wednesday: In Jerusalem (Old and New City Touring) (B/D)
Your touring starts with a visit to David’s Tower museum to see the ancient remains of the city beginning with the first Temple period. Continue to Mea Shearim and learn about the unique lifestyle of the ultra orthodox communities. Drive by the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, and see the Menorah with the biblical emblems. Next visit the Israel Museum, Shrine of the Book where the Dead Sea scrolls are housed and the new Holy land model – a miniature replica of Jerusalem as it was during the Second Temple period.

Day 9, Thursday: In Jerusalem / on to Tel Aviv and Jaffa / Tour Ends (B/D)
After breakfast, drive to Hadassah Medical Center in Ein Kerem to see the Chagall stained glass windows. Continue to Yad Vashem, the memorial to the Holocaust. Then you’ll be on to Tel Aviv where you check into your hotel. Afterwards, you’ll visit Neve Tzedek, the first neighborhood of Tel Aviv and Nahalat Benyamin, the pedestrian street of the city. The next stop will be Sheinkin, the lively and colorful street especially known for the unique shops and café life. You end the day in Old Jaffa, an 8000 year old port city; visit the ancient ruins and walk along the restored artists' quarter before dinner. Transfer to the airport and your return flight home.

Please note: This itinerary is subject to change without notice due to circumstances beyond our control. Pre/post nights are available upon request. Travel insurance is highly recommended.  Some inclusions may not be available on indicated dates and dates may have to be adjusted.  Listed local Hosts and guides are subject to availability and will be hosting your itinerary wherever possible. However, due to scheduling, there may be some times when the local Host or guide is not available. If this occurs, BMSJ will provide a comparable and experienced substitute.

TOUR PRICES: 
** Bonus! SAVE! You will receive a 5% discount if ALL payments are made by check or money order. This discounted price is noted below in red.