“ …a land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive oil and honey…” (Deuteronomy 8:8, NKJV)
The olives trees in Israel have been around for centuries. It is mentioned many times in the Bible, indicating the great significance of the olive tree in biblical times. It is one of the seven species in the Land of Israel. The olive tree is extremely symbolic for the Jewish people. An olive branch stands on either side of the seven-branched menorah in the emblem of both the State and the Israel Defense Forces. The dove that returned to Noah’s ark carried an olive branch in its mouth to symbolise the end of the flood and the return of life to earth. Today, the olive branch is an international symbol of peace.
Olive oil has been more than just a food to the cultures of the Mediterranean region. It has been used for lighting, cooking, medicinal purposes, and moisturising skin. The oil of its fruit has anointed the noblest heads throughout history. Olive wreaths have also been given out to crown victorious athletes of sport as well as victorious generals of war.
The olive tree is among the oldest known of cultivated trees in the world. It can grow up to 6m high. Its trunk is thick and twisted with a silvery foliage. It has long roots that penetrate down to the deep, damp layers of the soil, making it capable of surviving through Israel’s dry summers. Its flowers appear in late April and during May. Olive trees start providing fruit when six years old and over. Its fruit grows during the summer, remaining green until November when it ripens, and its colour becomes purple black. It contains a high ratio of oil and is rich in Vitamin A.
In Israel, olive trees grow wild and are also cultivated. They are known to live longer than most other fruit trees. Some of the ancient trees now growing in the Galilee and the Garden of Gethsemane in Jerusalem are thought to be at least 900 years old and beyond. Olives are now one of the most important fruits grown in Israel, with olive plantations in the mountains of the Galilee, on the coastal plain, and in the mountains of Samaria and Ephraim. While wild olives are reproduced from seeds, cultivated olives are planted using shoots that grown at the base of another olive tree. Psalm 128:3 uses this imagery in comparing children to olive shoots around the table.
Where can I buy Olive Oil products?
Today, many people recognise the health benefits of a diet rich in Extra Virgin Olive Oil, and at the same time, are embracing a revival in the culture of bath and body products that use olive oil and oil extracts as their primary ingredients.
Olea Essence from the Sea of Galilee has an offering of olive oil and olive-based skincare that is eco-responsible and fully natural. You can check out this collection of products at Rock Gifts & Book Centre at The Star Vista #02-07 or visit their website https://rockonline.sg/collections/olea-essence
For more information on our destinations, click on the following: Israel | Jordan | Turkey | Greece
There are several stories about the mysterious Zedekiah’s Cave, a 5-acre underground limestone rock quarry under the Old City of Jerusalem. The stones for Solomon’s temple may have been hewn from this cavern, which is why the site is sometimes called Solomon’s Quarries. By Jewish tradition, it is the cave through which King Zedekiah snuck out of Jerusalem, escaping the Babylonians, hence its name Zedekiah’s Cave. Herod the Great used this quarry for his numerous construction projects including the renovation of the Second Temple.
The stones quarried from the cave are known as Melekh stone which is a high-quality type of limestone which had been used to craft many of the magnificent buildings in Jerusalem since biblical times. Suleiman the Magnificent apparently mined the quarry to build the present-day city walls. The cave was later sealed to prevent enemy attacks and its existence forgotten.
The cave was rediscovered in 1854 when an American missionary named James Turner Barclay discovered the entrance after his dog ran into a small opening that had been revealed by heavy rainfall. In the 1880s, a German religious cult moved into the cave but was eventually evacuated by the German Consul in Jerusalem after many fell ill from living in the damp conditions. The Freemasons believed that King Solomon was the Grand Master, and they regarded this cavern as the ideal location to hold their first ceremony in 1868. The Freemasons of Israel continue to hold an annual ceremony in it every year. The last known use of the quarry was for the building of the clock tower that once stood above the Jaffa Gate in Jerusalem.
At first, Zedekiah’s Cave was a small, natural cave. It became a quarry, possibly the largest quarry of Jerusalem in antiquity, and a large space was created following the many quarrying operations carried out there for centuries. After the narrow entrance, the cave slopes down into a vast auditorium-like chamber that leads into many “galleries” carved out by ancient stonecutters. At the back of the cave is a tiny spring known as “Zedekiah’s Tears” in keeping with the tragic story of the blinded king who shed upon losing his kingdom and seeing his sons executed by the Babylonians.
Today, the cave is a major venue for concerts and cultural performances throughout the year. The concert area inside the cave provides a unique experience for both artists and audiences with its exceptional acoustics.
For more information on our destinations, click on the following: Israel | Jordan | Turkey | Greece
The Cardo Maximus
The Cardo Maximus or simply the Cardo was Jerusalem’s main street during the Roman and Byzantine times. It was the north-south thoroughfare running from the Damascus Gate through the middle of the city to the Zion Gate. It was the commercial avenue of Jerusalem for almost 500 years.
In the 2nd century, the Roman Emperor Hadrian rebuilt Jerusalem as a Roman polis called Aelia Capitolina and added the Cardo in the north of the city. In the 6th century, the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I extended the Cardo further south to the area of today’s Jewish Quarter, thus linking the two main churches of Byzantine Jerusalem, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Nea Church. In the 12th century, the Crusaders built a bazaar along part of the road.
Excavations in the Jewish Quarter have revealed a portion of the Cardo exactly as depicted in the famous 6th century Madaba Map, the oldest surviving detailed cartographic depiction of Jerusalem. The Byzantine map portrays the Jerusalem’s Cardo as a colonnaded Roman-style road. The Cardo was an exceptionally wide boulevard with a central lane, open to the sky, for the passage of carriages and animals. The original roadway was flanked on both sides with colonnaded, covered walkways that fronted on market stalls.
The exposed southern section of the road, 4m below the present-day street level, reveals the Byzantine Cardo level. Archaeologists have uncovered beautiful limestone columns, intricately carved Corinthian-styled capitals and large flagstones that paved the street. Part of the Cardo has been restored to show how the stalls and shops would have been in the ancient times. The shopping section of the Cardo is beneath a beautifully vaulted ceiling and modern stores are housed in the ancient Crusader shops that line the Cardo. Today, visitors can stroll through the Cardo just like the residents of Jerusalem used to in the 6th century.
For more information on our destinations, click on the following: Israel | Jordan | Turkey | Greece
Israelis, Palestinians, Egyptian Arabs, Greek and other Middle Eastern and Mediterranean countries all claim hummus as “their own dish”. No one really knows for sure the origin of hummus.
Hummus is a creamy dip typically made with a blend of chickpeas and tahini, a paste made of ground sesame seeds, and then olive oil, salt, lemon juice and garlic are all added on top. Chickpeas were known to be cultivated in the Mediterranean. They were one of the earliest crops and people in the Middle East have eaten chickpeas since ancient times.
Different culture has their own twist on the hummus recipe and their own way to indulge in hummus. In Israel, fresh hummus is smooth and fluffy, made with a lot of tahini. Israel locals “wipe” hummus with fresh pita. Hummus in Israel is not an appetizer; it is usually a meal on its own.
Tourists to Israel know that no visit is complete without eating plenty of hummus. Hummus is eaten almost daily – you will find it in most of the Israeli sandwiches and pitas. The important part of hummus is using good quality ingredients and making it from scratch, resulting in a wholesome hummus that is rich in protein, iron, vitamin C, vitamin B6, fibre and potassium. It is a delicious dip that is enjoyed by all cultures.
While we wait to travel to Israel soon to enjoy the good, fresh hummus, we can treat ourselves to a hearty hummus meal at Pita Bakery, Israeli cuisine at Miznon Singapore or “hummus in the pan” at Dewgather Café. Perhaps you can try to make homemade hummus on your own. For those who have it convenient and quick, you can find ready-made hummus in our supermarkets. Bon Appetite!
For more information on our destinations, click on the following: Israel | Jordan | Turkey | Greece
The Holyland Model is probably the largest model in the world depicting Jerusalem in the year 66 AD when the city was at the height of its glory, shortly before its destruction by the Romans in 70 AD.
Also known as the Model of Jerusalem in the Second Temple period, it was built between 1962 and 1966 by Professor Michael Avi Yonah, a leading scholar in ancient Jerusalem. At the time of the model’s construction, Jerusalem was divided by a border, drawn following the 1948 war. Most of the city’s historical and holy sites, located in and around the Old City, were under Jordanian rule, and Israelis had no access to them. Since there was no access to the sites, the design had to rely on earlier excavations, ancient texts, writings of Flavius Josephus, historical sources, and the Bible.
The model, measuring 2,000 square metres and in a 1:50 scale, was commissioned by Hans Kroch, the owner of Holyland Hotel, in memory of his son Jacob who fell in the War of Independence. The Holyland Model became a popular attraction for both Israelis and international tourists alike. The model features several notable and important structures such as Herodian Temple, Antonia Fortress, Royal Stoa, Southern Wall and Eastern Gate.
When the time came to move the model elsewhere, the Israel Museum was deemed the most appropriate site. In 2006, it was sawn into 100 parts and later resembled in the Museum campus. The relocation of the model from the hotel to Israel Museum has greatly enhanced its status as both a national exhibit and a scientifically accurate representation of ancient Jerusalem.
For more information on our destinations, click on the following: Israel | Jordan | Turkey | Greece
Jerusalem’s Oldest and Largest Outdoor Market
If you are a market person, a visit to Mahane Yehuda is a must. The lively atmosphere is filled with the scent of fresh falafel and the sound of more than 250 haggling merchants, selling everything from aromatic spices to souvenirs. You can do all your shopping here whether it’s for Israeli cheese, halva, pastries, fresh and dried fruits, and gifts. Just about anything you can think of.
It is especially nice to come to the market just before a Jewish holiday such as Passover or Rosh Hashanah. The hustle and bustle of this vibrant marketplace is electrifying. You can feel the holiday is in the air. It is a wonderful way to spend an afternoon moving from food stall to food stall, noshing your way through the market.
The market dates to the Ottoman period. An empty lot, it was developed by local peasants who brought produce to sell in this central location. Slowly the open grounds were turned into an organized market. The peasants took it upon themselves to build their own shops and storage facilities. Over the years, the market expanded and continued to develop. Today, it is a bustling marketplace and a neighbourhood that intertwines food, drinks, music, and shopping. It has also become a yuppie hub with designer boutiques and top chef restaurants. Mahane Yehuda simply represents the heart of Jerusalem, integrating the old and new.
No matter when you visit, the market is crowded. Be prepared for extremely heavy crowds on Fridays when Jerusalem residents are stocking up for the Sabbath. The market is open from Sunday morning through Friday afternoon. It’s free to explore. Come and lose yourself to all the colours, scents, and sounds of the Mahane Yehuda Market.
For more information on our destinations, click on the following: Israel | Jordan | Turkey | Greece
Have you ever wondered what bible gardens are and what took place in them? Gardens of the Bible were places of loveliness, sanctuary and sustenance. It is referred to as a place of shelter, recognised as a place of provision of food and seen as a place for quiet retreat. It is also a setting to meet with friends.
Israel has some of the best landscaped gardens with a biblical theme. These gardens feature cultivated collections of plants that are mentioned in the Bible. Some of these biblical gardens also display objects to illustrate biblical stories or to demonstrate how people lived in biblical times.
1. Neot Kedumim
Take a journey to the world’s only biblical landscape nature – Neot Kedumim, spread across 625 acres of restored land. The reserve is a remarkable place for the family and especially people wanting to get a glimpse into the landscape of ancient Israel, as reflected in the Bible.
To create the biblical park, thousands of tons of soil were trucked in, reservoirs were built to catch runoff rainwater, ancient terraces, wine presses and ritual baths were restored, and hundreds of varieties of trees and plants were cultivated. You can find the seven species – olives, wheat, barley, figs, pomegranates, dates and grapes. You can see plants and trees, water and agricultural fittings such as cisterns, oil presses, wine presses and threshing floors as they were thousands of years ago. This amazing biblical reserve won an Israel Prize in 1994 as a model of restoration ecology. The park also offers additional activities such as tree planting and sheep herding.
2. Nazareth Biblical Village
Go back in time to the first century to witness first-hand daily life at the Nazareth Biblical Village in the Galilean city where Jesus once lived and walked. This open-air museum provides a 3D experience focused on showing examples Jesus used in His teaching. The Village is the ideal place for anyone looking for a one-of-a-kind experience where the crossroads of first century and present meet. It makes a biblical first century come alive for visitors.
You meet costumed staff and pose next to them. All this deepens your experience and captures it as a photographic memory. You see villagers praying in the period synagogue, milking goats and practising their trades. You visit a reconstructed first century tomb, a watch tower, an olive press, a carpenter shop and a weaver’s room. In spring, you smell the blooming wildflowers. Donkeys and chickens roam about the grounds. In summer, you see grapes being pressed for wine and in the fall, you see the olive harvest.
3. Yad Hashmona Biblical Garden
Yad Hashmona Biblical Garden gives visitors a glimpse into the spiritual, physical and agricultural world of the Jewish people in the land of the Bible. The lovely biblical garden includes an ancient wine press, an olive press, a burial cave, a ritual bath, an agricultural tower, a Galilean-type synagogue and a Bedouin tent. You find a variety of biblical plants and trees as well as reconstructed facilities from biblical times.
The skilled guides of the garden take you through a journey of biblical stories such Ruth and Boaz, spiritual symbolism and the parables of the New Testament. Not to be missed – the biblical meal with Jesus Passover experience, a sumptuous culinary trip to the past. The meal comprises greens, lentils, meat pottage, stuff chicken, dried fruit and Haroset served with grape juice and tabun baked pita.
The site is also home to the Yad Hashmona Country Hotel, surrounded by stunning views of the evergreen Judean Hills and the Mediterranean coastal plain. It is a great place for spiritual rejuvenation during your stay at the hotel. In addition, you can visit the nearby biblical city of Kiriath Jearim known for the house of Abinadab that guarded the Ark of the Covenant from the time of Samuel until the time of David.
Our Lord Jesus says in Song of Songs 8:13 (NLT), “O my darling, lingering in the gardens, your companions are fortunate to hear your voice. Let me hear it, too!”
For more information on our destinations, click on the following: Israel | Jordan | Turkey | Greece
Dead Sea Israel – Your Next Spa Vacation
The Dead Sea is really a wonder. Just effortlessly float on your back and enjoy the Mediterranean sun and splendour of the desert around you. Not to worry – you can’t sink in the Dead Sea. It is immeasurably beautiful with milky blue water and shores encrusted by white salt deposits. The Dead Sea rewards each visitor with an unforgettable experience. Wade into the salty water, scoop handfuls of black mud and slather it on your body for a photograph.
Dead Sea – Quick Facts
It is not a sea but a lake, bordered by Israel and Jordan. The evaporation hovering the Dead Sea gives a constant haze over its surface. The Jordan River flows into the Dead Sea, but it has no exit point so that the rich minerals build up within the Dead Sea water. Due to the high salt content of the water, no living creatures can live in the sea except for microscopic creatures such as bacteria and microbial fungi. In recent decades, the Dead Sea has been rapidly shrinking.
Dead Sea – In The Bible
It is known by a few different names in the Bible, including the Salt Sea, the Sea of the Arabah and the Eastern Sea. It has been mentioned several times in the Bible.
An advancing force of Ammonites and Moabites was on their way from beyond the Dead Sea to fight King Jehoshaphat.
“After this, the Moabites and Ammonites with some of the Meunites came to wage war against Jehoshaphat. Some people came and told Jehoshaphat, “A vast army is coming against you from Edom, from the other side of the Dead Sea. It is already in Hazezon Tamar” (that is, En Gedi). Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah. The people of Judah came together to seek help from the Lord ; indeed, they came from every town in Judah to seek him.” – 2 Chronicles 20:1-4 (NIV)
Read the full story here – 2 Chronicles 20
Ezekiel prophesied that the Dead Sea will one day flow with fresh water and fishermen will be able to cast their nets from shore.
“He said to me, “This water flows toward the eastern region and goes down into the Arabah, where it enters the Dead Sea. When it empties into the sea, the salty water there becomes fresh. Swarms of living creatures will live wherever the river flows. There will be large numbers of fish, because this water flows there and makes the salt water fresh; so where the river flows everything will live. Fishermen will stand along the shore; from En Gedi to En Eglaim there will be places for spreading nets. The fish will be of many kinds—like the fish of the Mediterranean Sea. But the swamps and marshes will not become fresh; they will be left for salt. Fruit trees of all kinds will grow on both banks of the river. Their leaves will not wither, nor will their fruit fail. Every month they will bear fruit, because the water from the sanctuary flows to them. Their fruit will serve for food and their leaves for healing.” – Ezekiel 47:8-12 (NIV)
Read the full prophecy here – Ezekiel 47
Zechariah also echoed this same prophecy that life-giving waters will flow where today the Dead Sea water is salty.
“On that day life-giving waters will flow out from Jerusalem, half toward the Dead Sea and half toward the Mediterranean, flowing continuously in both summer and winter. And the Lord will be king over all the earth. On that day there will be one Lord—his name alone will be worshiped. All the land from Geba, north of Judah, to Rimmon, south of Jerusalem, will become one vast plain. But Jerusalem will be raised up in its original place and will be inhabited all the way from the Benjamin Gate over to the site of the old gate, then to the Corner Gate, and from the Tower of Hananel to the king’s winepresses.” – Zechariah 14:8-10 (NLT)
Read the full chapter here – Zechariah 14
Dead Sea Minerals – A Vital Secret
The Dead Sea is full of superb minerals which can help keep your skin healthy, smooth, young-looking. Dead Sea beauty treatments make use of the mineral rich Dead Sea mud dug out of the banks and floor of the Dead Sea. The mud and minerals from the water are used in creams, anti-aging remedies, make-up, face masks and more. People suffering from skin disorders are often told to soak in the Dead Sea. They visit the Dead Sea to take salt baths and mud treatments to improve various conditions and illnesses such as psoriasis, arthritis and various allergies, and get their skin revitalised. The Dead Sea air has a low pollen and allergen content, making it ideal for those with respiratory problems. The air is also high in oxygen which is great for overall well-being.
Dead Sea – Spa Resorts
In ancient times, the Dead Sea was a sought-after destination for royalty such as King Herod and Queen Cleopatra who visited the Dead Sea to enrich their bodies with the essential minerals of the water and mud pools. Consider spending a night or two at the Dead Sea. This will enable you to soak in the therapeutic waters across two days and will allow plenty of time to indulge in a few spa treatments offered by many of the hotels that line the shores. You can enjoy a full health club and spa that offers natural thermal and mineral body treatments. You can cover your body from head to toe in the all-natural nurturing Dead Sea mud, leaving your skin soft and fresh, and your soul with an experience of a lifetime. You can also enjoy a soothing massage. There are many suitable alternative accommodation options such as hostels, guest houses and cottage style units at local kibbutzim. Prices tend to be cheaper, and you mostly won’t have access to an on-site spa or health club – but you will certainly experience stunning sunrises and sunsets alongside local flora and fauna, which is just as pleasurable.
Dead Sea – Beaches
It is possible to visit the Dead Sea as a day trip from Jerusalem or Tel Aviv. Top choices for day trippers are Neve Midbar Beach and Kalia Beach. You can find mud to slather yourself in and showers to use when you’re ready to wash off. Other amenities include changing rooms, lockers as well as a café to satisfy your appetite with lovely views of the turquoise waters of the Dead Sea and the surrounding golden-brown mountains. It’s ideal for people of all ages, families and couples.
Excursions Around The Dead Sea
There are interesting places to visit nearby the Dead Sea. The sites can easily be worked into a full day itinerary or spread over two days. Along the shore of the sea are several biblical locations: the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, the desert wilderness of Ein Gedi where David took refuge, the Jordan River Baptismal Site and Jericho city. Other attractions on the western shore include Qumran where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered and Masada (as seen below), the royal fortress of King Herod which stands atop a cliff with views over the Judean desert.
Dead Sea – A Must Visit
When it is safe to travel again, do consider a trip to the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth at 434m below sea level and the hottest spot in Israel. The Dead Sea is not just your average beachside vacation – it’s a complete world of attractions and leisure sites throughout the entire local desert region. At the same time, take the relaxing opportunity to hover on the water surface, while your skin enjoys all the benefits of the salt and minerals.
Create a DIY Dead Sea Israel Spa Day at Home
Now that you have more time due to the COVID-19 outbreak, it is a good time to pamper yourself. Try a DIY Dead Sea Spa Day at home. While there’s nothing like a real-life Dead Sea spa experience to make you feel rejuvenated, it may add a little comfort to your day and improve your overall feeling of wellness. Your body will thank you. You can coddle yourself with Dead Sea minerals, from bath soak and body scrub to hair care, facial mask and anti-aging treatment. You can get some of the popular Dead Sea mineral products like Ahava, Premier or Seacret online. Enjoy!
For more information on our destinations, click on the following: Israel | Jordan | Turkey | Greece
Where to go in Israel? | Winemaking and Winery Tours
Ancient Winemaking in Israel
Israel has a long history of wine production, dating back to biblical times and continuing to modern day. Hundreds of winepresses are found in the fields, villages and cities of the Holy Land. The ancient winepress was a giant, hallowed out rock where the grapes were brought and crushed by the feet of the workers, extracting the juice to make the wine. Many vineyards and winepresses are found in most of the biblical places and ancient sites, in Galilee in the north, Golan, Shomron, Judean Hills and the Negev Desert, in the south.
The Bible has References to Wine, Winepress and Winemaking
It’s no secret that wine flows freely in biblical stories. Grapes are one of the seven species connected to the land of Israel along with wheat, barley, figs, pomegranates, olives and date honey. Vineyards and winemaking were common in agrarian Israel. Wine was an essential part in the worship of the people of God in both Old and New Testaments. Wine was used in celebrating the Passover. Wine is associated with life and God’s blessing. Wine was used in the Scriptures as symbols of many important truths: Jesus turned water into wine at the Cana wedding and the Passover cup at the Last Supper was filled with wine.
Rediscovering the Promise of the Land
Ancient Israel must have been one of the earliest wine-producing countries. Wine production came to a halt with the Muslim conquest in the 7th century AD and did not start up again until the arrival of Baron Edmond de Rothschild in the late 19th century. Israel has gone through ups and downs within the wine industry but today the Holy Land is returning to a world class wine status.
Israel is renowned for its agriculture. Its Mediterranean weather and fertile soil give the wine an ideal foundation of producing the perfect grapes. Israel’s viticulturists are forward-looking. Most of Israel’s wineries are technologically innovative and they engage internationally trained winemakers, with experience in major wine producing countries. Israel is honing the art of winemaking to vie with some of the best in the world. Today, hundreds of wineries, ranging in size from small boutique enterprises to large companies, are producing Israeli wines.
Winery Visit in Israel
Consider a half day or full day trip to discover some of Israel’s wineries – you can enjoy an array of experiences such as wine education, cheese and chocolate tastings, chef restaurants, vineyard tours and beautiful scenery. The winery tour includes wine tasting and takes you to see the winemaking process first-hand. You get to learn about how good quality wine is produced by traditional winemaking techniques combined with new technology and how variations in the soil and climates are reflected in the wines. You get to tour around the vineyard on a jeep, a memorable experience full of scents and tastes in the fresh air of the hills. Call us for your private Israel wine tour on your next visit to Israel. We are happy to provide an itinerary and pricing on just about any tour you would be interested in. Click here if you are interested in organizing a private tour.
Israeli Cuisine – Hummus, Falafel and More
Think of Israel cuisine and we probably picture bowls of hummus for dipping, pita breads stuffed with falafel and salads of finely diced tomatoes with plenty of herbs and olive oil. Think again … there’s a whole lot more to this. The Israeli cuisine is unbelievably diverse, a blend of local dishes and dishes brought to Israel by Jewish immigrants. Israeli food is probably one of the healthiest foods in the world. Here are some dishes we think you will love to try when you are next in Israel or cook in your very own kitchen.
What to Eat in Israel?
1. Shakshuka
Shakshuka is a good choice for breakfast. It is a dish of eggs poached in a tangy sauce of simmering tomatoes, olive oil, peppers, onion, garlic and spices. Some will add spinach, feta cheese and other ingredients to the mix. It’s nourishing, filling and it’s simple to make with this recipe.
2. Shawarma
Shawarma is a popular Israeli street food classic made of grilled beef or chicken heavily marinated in olive oil, vinegar, lemon juice and warm spices. It can be served on a plate surrounded by colourful vegetables including tomatoes, onions, shredded lettuce and pickles or simply in a wrap.
3. Falafel
Falafel is a great snack by itself. It is a deep-fried ball made from ground chickpeas, fava beans or both, herbs and seasonings. It is usually stuffed into pita bread or served atop fresh greens. How to make perfectly crispy falafel?
4. Ptitim
Ptitim also known as Israeli Couscous is a great meal for kids. The tiny pasta pearls are made from semolina flour, dried and then toasted to give a nutty flavour. It is known colloquially in Israel as “Ben-Gurion’s rice”. Just add anything in it … carrots, tomatoes, corn, peas, any herb or spice … and make it your own style as you like.
5. Challah bread
Bread comes with every meal in Israel but be sure to try the Challah bread made with eggs, flour, butter, yeast and sugar. It is a simple recipe. The most important thing is the braiding. Try this at home.
6. Hummus
Hummus is a creamy dip typically made with a blend of chickpeas, tahini, salt, olive oil, lemon juice and garlic. It is a meal on its own or we can eat it with different veggies, use it as a salad dressing, spread it on two pieces of toast or create a fancy grain bowl. Try this recipe at home.
7. Baba ganoush
Baba ganoush is simply aubergine mixed with tahini, lemon juice, garlic and whatever other flavours you want to add, and served with bread, crisp vegetables and pita chips.
8. Latkes
Latkes are popular Israeli potato pancakes, made from mashed or grated potatoes, flour, eggs, onions and finely crushed matzo crackers.
9. Kanafeh
Kanafeh is a thin vermicelli-like cheese pastry soaked in sweet sugar-based syrup, topped with ground nuts like pistachios.
10. Baklava
Baklava is very rich in aroma and flavour. It is prepared from phyllo dough sheets with butter and pistachios, cashew nuts and walnuts, soaked in sugar syrup or honey.
11. Halvah
Halvah is crumbly and dry. It is made of tahini from typical chocolate and vanilla flavour to pistachio, cinnamon flavour and many more flavourings.
So here it is, the top 11 foods that you should try when visiting Israel! Even though travelling may not be possible during this season, we can stay home and try the above recipes. Have fun!
Lord, bless the food before us, the family beside us and the love between us. Amen!
While we aren’t travelling now, that doesn’t mean we should stop the travel inspiration from coming. We can think about all the places we have been and all the places we hope to see sometime soon. This is also a great time to buckle down and save money for our next travel since we are not out social spending.
Plan your next trip with us
It is more realistic to look at trips that must be planned and take more coordination than an average weekend vacation. What kind of trip do we want to take in the future? Is it going to be a tropical holiday? Is it a safari in Africa? Is it a destination that we just haven’t been before? How about considering your next travel journey to Israel and the other Bible lands such as Jordan, Turkey or Greece? Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for travel inspirations! Visit our website for more information or drop us an email so we can contact you!
Stay home now, travel later
Now’s the time to perfect our travel photography skills. When everything is online, we can easily find tips and tutorials to improve our skills. So when that big trip comes up, we are dialled in.
Here’s a tutorial on 5 Tips for your Best Iphone Photography:
Maybe we have a ton of travel photos just sitting in our laptop or phone, waiting to be printed. Now is the time to get those printed and used for something creative – be it a scrapbook, a travel journey or a picture frame hung on our wall.
Check out Photobook Singapore, where we can print your photos on a mug, phone case, tumbler, calendar or make them into a beautiful photobook:
Try this easy-to-follow workout for beginners:
We will travel again soon. In the meantime, stay safe!
—
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. – Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)
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Purim 2022 begins at sundown on Wednesday 16 Mar 2022 and ends at nightfall on Thursday, 17 Mar 2022, that is, on the Hebrew date of Adar 14. Purim, also called the Festival of Lots, is a Jewish holiday that commemorates the saving of the Jewish people from the cruel Haman in the ancient Persian Empire; a story recorded in the Biblical Book of Esther. Purim celebrates the strength and resilience of the Jews.
In the 4th century BCE, the Jewish people lived under the rule of the Persian King Ahasuerus who had his wife, Queen Vashti, executed for refusing to follow his orders. The king decided to arrange a beauty pageant to find a new wife. Esther, a Jewish girl, caught his attention and became his new queen.
Meanwhile, the Jew-hating Haman was appointed prime minister of the empire. Fuelled by his hatred for Mordecai, the leader of the Jews and cousin of the new queen, Haman convinced the king that the Jews were rebellious and should be exterminated. With the king’s consent, Haman threw lots to determine the date for the execution.
Queen Esther asked the king and Haman to join her for a large feast. During the meal, Esther revealed that she was a Jew and pleaded for the Jews. She accused Haman of plotting the annihilation of her people. The outraged king ordered that Haman be hanged and that Mordecai be appointed the new prime minister. His first decree granted all Jews the right throughout the empire to defend themselves against their enemies. On Adar 13, the Jews mobilised and killed many of their enemies. After an exhilarating victory, the Jews rested and celebrated on Adar 14.
Purim begins with a day of fasting and reading the Book of Esther in the synagogue on the eve of Purim. On Purim (meaning “Lots” in Hebrew), the Jews exchange gifts and make donations to the poor. They eat a celebratory feast as well as triangle-shaped foods such as kreplach and hamantaschen pastries (“Haman’s ears”). When Jews meet each other, they say “chag Purim sameach” or “Happy Purim”. The day is filled with lots of fun, customs and traditions such as dressing up, carnivals and drinking.
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