To begin the 3^rd day of our exciting Israeli journey we woke up bright and early, ready for yet another jam packed day of touring, discovering and fun. We started off the day with breakfast and Tefillah and then hopped on the bus to Tzfat, about an hour bus ride away from Naharia (where we are staying). As we drove, we looked out the window to see possibly the most rain that Israel has experienced in the last few hundred years. Some complained, yet the excitement carried on. After hopping off the bus and treading through mild torrential rain, we decided on the word of the day, chavaya (experience), no matter what the weather was like it was sure to be quite the experience. We first discussed the four holy cities of Israel, namely Jerusalem, Tveria, Chevron and of course, Tzfat, we compared these to the four elements of nature and decided that Tzfat was most like wind. Not only because of the fact that Tzfat is very windy due to its geographical positioning, but more so because of the translation of the word wind in Hebrew, ruach. Ruach means both wind and spirit, Tzfat is a city filled with spirit and the people of Tzfat are known for their spiritual belief and Kabbalistic views.

We proceeded to walk through the quaint city, visiting famous synagogues and learning about the history of Tzfat and its people. We visited the Ashkenazi Ari Synagogue which was named after The Ari, who had a drastic effect on the people of Israel and the entire Jewish world within the short period of time that he lived in Tzfat. After these visits we had some time to look around. Many of us visited a candle shop which was filled with many amazing wax figures as well as candles.

After our tour of Tzfat, we got back on the bus, soaking wet and already in need of a warm shower. We drove a few minutes away to Otzar Hastam, where we did interactive activities to help us learn about scribes of the Torah, Tefillin and Mezuzot. We were able to try writing with a quill on parchment and realized how much patience and care one must have to write out an entire Torah. We watched an exciting video describing the job of a scribe and the importance of the Hebrew letters. Nowhere other than in Israel would you find a video like this one. The chairs we sat on moved around the room as each section of the room lit up to show us different parts of the process of being a scribe and the importance of the job.

After this visit, we headed back to central Tzfat to experience our first true Israeli lunch. Most people walked down the foggy street to get themselves a Shawarma or Falafel that warmed and filled us up after a long day of touring in the cold. After lunch and exploring Tzfat for a few minutes we met up and made our way to our next destination, an art gallery run by a woman by the name of Sheva Chaya, a mum, painter and glass blower. She explained the meaning behind a few of her paintings and demonstrated glass blowing. She was an amazing and very interesting woman with interesting opinions and everyone was fascinated by her talent.

We then had the opportunity to walk around the old city of Tzfat and explore the galleries and those who wished to, were able to purchase jewellery and art work. Whilst the girls spent their time in the shops, a few of the boys headed to the Tzfat mikvah. Many said that it was both a spiritual and unique experience and they would happily do it again.

We then hopped on the bus back to what we now call “home”, where I am sitting now surrounded by shloofing Ulpaniks and people discussing their busy day.

The choice of today’s ‘word of the day’, chavaya, was very fitting as today was truly an amazing experience that we will all remember forever.

I think I speak for all of us when I say looking forward to getting off the bus, having a warm shower and changing into some dry clothes and of course looking forward to the continuation of this amazing chavaya.

Ashlea Gild