The Northern part of Israel is known for its rural and pastoral beauty, as well as its special history. After the destruction of the Jewish Temple Judaism concentrated in the north. In the Galilee the Mishna was codified, and later, in Tiberias, the Talmud was completed. In the 16th century Safed became known as a center of Rabbinical activity. Both the Kabbalah and the “Shulchan Aruch” were formed in this city around that time. The tombs of Jewish sages who lived and operated in the Galilee in antiquity are today popular pilgrimage destinations, especially among religious Jews.
This special tour will fly you from Jerusalem (or Tel-Aviv) to the north, where you will be able to visit and pray at selected tombs of famous Jewish sages, as well as enjoy some optional water activities on the sea of Galilee and a nice lunch experience.
Takeoff from Jerusalem
Taking off at Jerusalem you will fly above the northern edge of the Dead Sea, and along the Jordan valley. Beneath you will see the meandering Jordan river, providing also precious water for local agriculture. The pilot will point to Israel’s crossing spot into the holy land over the Jordan, opposite the city of Jericho. Later, the antiquities of ancient Beit-Shean will appear beneath you, and the Sea of Galilee will be seen in the distance.
Visiting Sages Tombs in Tiberias
Upon landing you will meet your guide and drive in a luxury tourism SUV or minibus to the tomb of Maimonides in the center of Tiberias. Here you will be able to pray at the tombstone of the great Jewish sage, and also at the nearby tombstones of Rabbi Yochanan Ben-Zakkai and the “Shala Hakadosh”. In the southern part of the city, you also be able to visit and pray at the tomb or Rachel, the wife of Rabbi Akiva, and the popular tomb complex of Rabbi Meir the miracles maker (“בעל הנס”).
Watersports and lunch
For some family fun and wet activity, you will now change to bathing suites and head to a 2 hours’ watersports activity. A “Tornado” speedboat will take the family for fun rides, that could include also tubing and banana rides. surfing and wakeboarding experience are also possible, and of course – a swim in the lake. Wet and happy, you return to shore, and go for a nice lunch at the famous Kosher fish and meat “Decks” restaurant.
Jewish Sages tombs in Safed
After lunch you will head up to Safed. The former Kabbalah center and where the Shulchan Aruch was codified is also known for its cemetery. We will visit the tomb of the “Ari Hakadosh” (“האר”י הקדוש”) and possibly dip in the miqveh next to it. Next we will drive towards Meiron and visit the most popular Jewish pilgrimage destination in the north – The tomb of the Rashbi (“רשב”י”).
Fly back along the coast
After Mincha we will drive to the takeoff location near Meiron where the helicopter will take you back to Jerusalem along the coast. From the air you will be able to spot where the Mishna was codified (Sepphoris) and where Rabbi Judah “the prince” is buried (Beth-Shearim). Later, you will see in the distance the ruins of Caesarea, where Rabbi Abbhau lived and where Rabbi Akiva was executed. Flying above the ancient and modern Rabbinical center of Bnei-Brak we return at sundown to the landing spot and back to your hotel.
Contact us to Inquire more about a helicopter tour to Kivrei Tzadikim in the north:
Let me say to you and you may use this as a sincere testimonial: You Danny the Digger are an outstanding guide, educator, archeologist and political pundit providing exciting and most intelligent information to the visitor on events of the past, their impact on the Jewish world and our concerns with the future. I have been to Israel 100+ times but notwithstanding, one always learns particularly from people like you.
Tom H., CJA Chairman, Canada
I recommend his services wholeheartedly for the synagogue group I will be leading this coming October/November. While his certification is currently specific to archaeology, my experience is that he will be fully able to handle the range of explanations that our group will need, in order to have a meaningful tour.
After Mincha we will drive to the takeoff location near Meiron where the helicopter will take you back to Jerusalem along the coast. From the air you will be able to spot where the Mishna was codified (
