The beaches along the Mediterranean Sea are clean and the water is a clear blue.

In Tel Aviv, hotels line the streets with views of the sparkling sea.

In Ashdod, magnificent high-rise apartments overlook the water.

Up north in Acco, you could sit in a restaurant adjacent to the sea watching the sun set while the rising tide covers your feet as it splashes onto the restaurant floor.

Almost at the border of Lebanon is Nahariya, a quaint little resort town along the beach. To the southern tip of Israel is Eilat, which lies along the Red Sea where you can find the most unusual fish in its undersea aquarium. And if you want, you may cross over into Jordan or Egypt.

Unusual Formations

On the eastern border of Israel is the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth. There, anyone can swim, or at least stay afloat, because the water is so full of salt it is impossible to sink.

Supposedly the salt and mud from this area have tremendous therapeutic value. Up north are the peaceful waters of Lake
Kinneret.

The mountains have the most unusual rock formations. Just like when looking at the rings in a tree trunk, you can determine the age of the tree, the mountains enable you to picture their ancient existence.

Throughout the land you can find waterfalls where people jump from the cliffs into the pools below. There are also caves with stalagmites and stalactites.

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A True Number, 613

In Jerusalem, where modern and ancient blend together, the buildings are made from the unique Jerusalem stone. When walking in the city, you almost can imagine you are living in another time.

The vegetation is lush and green. Seven species are inherent to the land of Israel: olives, barley, grapes, wheat, figs, pomegranates and dates.

In fact, Israel is known as the “land of milk and honey.” The honey is not from bees, but the sweet syrup dripping from the dates. It is said that there are 613 pomegranate seeds in every pomegranate, one for each of the 613 positive and negative commandments required of Jews.

I even know people who have cut up pomegranates just to count them. Each time, there were 613!

Palm trees swaying in the breeze line the streets of many cities. In the outskirts are kibbutzim where people from the kibbutz work the fields, growing all sorts of fruits and vegetables which make up a large part of the Israeli diet.

What is so interesting is that most of Israel became barren after the Jews were expelled hundreds of years ago. It was only when the Jews returned to inhabit the land again in the 20th century that Israel began to flourish once again.

L'hitraot. Shachar