With the help of G-d Almighty

Touring Jericho During the Sukkot Intermediate Days

Summary of Sukkot Holiday Events

  • : Festive Shaharith and Hassidic Farbrengen (Hitvaadut) in the ancient Shalom al Israel Synagogue.
  • : Tour of the Hasmonean Palaces, the Biblical Gilgal, and the site of the Jordan Crossing.
  • : Tour of the ancient Naaran synagogue, and the site of the Jordan Crossing.
  • , Hoshana Raba eve Torah study in Beit Hogla, east of Jericho.
  • , Festive Hoshana Raba prayer in the Shalom al Israel Synagogue in Jericho.
  • , Isru-Hag. Tour of the ancient Naaran Synagogue, followed by a water fest in the Yitav Stream.

Full details below

1st Day of Hol HaMoed - Festive Shaharith & Hassidic Farbrengen in ancient Shalom al Israel Synagogue, and Tour of Tel Jericho & the Elisha Spring

Celebrating Sukkot in the Shalom al Israel Synagogue in Jericho
Celebrating Sukkot in the Shalom al Israel Synagogue
  • Festive Shaharith and Hassidic Farbrengen (Hitvaadut) in the ancient Shalom al Isael Synagogue with a unique mosaic, bearing a very profound Jewish message.
  • This synagogue was, without a doubt, built by a Jewish community that understood Jewish values, for the symbols on the mosaic floor teach us about the possible combinations to bring peace, holiness, unity, and prayer. And unlike most synagogues of the period, no hellenistic symbols are found on the mosaic (in contrast to the Naaran synagogue, also in Jericho), and there are no names of benefactors.
  • On the contrary, an inscription on the mosaic states that "All members of the community are remembered for a blessing, the great and the small…He who knows their names and the names of their wives and the names of their kinfolk will inscribe them in the Book of Life together with all the righteous".

Buses

  • From Jerusalem: Chords Bridge (bus stop 4216) at 05:40, and Hativat Harel/Shmuel HaNavi (bus stop 1625) at 05:45.
  • From the northern entrance to Maale-Adumim, on Highway 1 going east (Adumim Junction/Yishay Camp Junction, bus stop 60532), at 06:00.
  • From the Mitzpe Yericho Junction, on Highway 1 going east, across from the main entrance of Mitzpe Yericho (bus stop 60425), at 06:10.
  • From the main entrance of Mevo'ot Yericho, in the Jordan Valley at 06:45.
  • From Beit Shemesh: Contact Fayga Marks at 054-9422171.
  • Back in Jerusalem at approx. 11:30.

Info & Registration

  • Advance registration required: Send a text message / WhatsApp to Yoni at 052-3527313, stating your name, the number of participants and where you want to board the bus.
  • For participants from Beit Shemesh: Send an SMS / WhatsApp message to Fayga Marks at 054-9422171.
  • Cost: 80 NIS per person from all stations, except Beit Shemesh. Half price for children under 13.
  • Advance payment required: By BIT or PAYBOX to telephone 052-8699300 or by bank transfer: Bank Discount, Branch 159 (Jerusalem Center), account No 3212507, in the name of "Jewish Life in Jericho".

Security in Jericho is assured by the Israel Defence Forces.

4th Day of Hol HaMoed - A Day Fully Dedicated to Jericho

Morning

The Third Palace of King Herod in Jericho
Herod's Third Palace
  • Tour of the Hasmonean Winter Places.
  • The Hasmonean Palaces are an impressive relic of the latter, and thoroughly corrupt, generations of the Hasmonean kings, who built for themselves luxurious winter palaces on the western side of Jericho.
  • The palaces were built in six stages by three kings: Yohanan Hyrcanus (the son of Shimon Ben Matisyahu), his son Alexander Yanai, and finally King Herod who built three palaces, furnished with all the luxurious depravity inspired by his Roman masters.

Lunch Break

The Jericho Visitor Centre in Beit Hogla
The Jericho Visitor Centre in Beit Hogla

Afternoon

The Jordan Crossing east of Jericho - the 12 stones are buried in the riverbed
The Jordan Crossing - the 12 stones are buried in the riverbed
  • Tour of the Biblical Gilgal, where the People of Israel set-up camp after crossing the Jordan River, underwent mass circumcision and celebrated the first Passover in the Land.
  • Followed by a tour of the site of the Jordan Crossing, where the People of Israel crossed the Jordan River into the Land, under the leadership of Joshua Bin-Nun.

Timetable

  • Morning tour to the Hasmonean Palaces: With your own car. Meet at 08:50 outside the main entrance to Mitzpe Yericho.
  • Afternoon tour to the Biblical Gilgal and the Jordan Crossing: With your own car. Meet at 14:00 at Beit Hogla.

Getting to Beit Hogla

Beit Hogla is on Highway 90 (the Jordan Valley Road), 3 km north of the "Beit Ha'Arava Junction". Beit Hogla is next to the "Mahane Nevo" military base. The entrance to Beit Hogla is to the right of the military base's main gate.

  • By car, navigating with Google Maps: click here, or enter "Nevo Camp" on the app.
  • By car, navigating with Waze: click here, or enter "Nevo Camp" on the app.
  • By bus, from the Jerusalem Central Bus Station:
    Egged buses 961, 966, 967,   or   Electra-Afikim buses 941, 943, 946.
    Alight at "Mahane Nevo" (Nevo Camp army base), bus stop 61422 or 60782. Beit Hogla is just to the right of the army base's gate.

Info & Registration

  • Advance registration required: Send a text message / WhatsApp to Yoni at 052-3527313, stating your name, the number of participants.
  • Cost: 40 NIS for the morning tour, 20 NIS for the afternoon tour. Half price for children under 13.
  • Advance payment required: By BIT or PAYBOX to telephone 052-8699300 or by bank transfer: Bank Discount, Branch 159 (Jerusalem Center), account No 3212507, in the name of "Jewish Life in Jericho".

Security at the Hasmonean Palaces is assured by the Israel Defence Forces.

5th Day of Hol HaMoed - Tour of the Ancient Naaran Synagogue and the Jordan Crossing

פסיפס של בית הכנסת נערן ביריחו
The mosaic of the Naaran Synagogue
  • We will visit the ancient Naaran Synagogue in Jericho, and learn about its history and traditions, and also enjoy the lush green desert osais surrounding the synagogue.
  • You can also dip into the Diuk Spring, just next to the synagogue.
  • Afterwards, we will travel to a tour of the site of the Jordan Crossing, where the People of Israel crossed the Jordan River into the Land, under the leadership of Joshua Bin-Nun.

Buses

  • From Jerusalem: Chords Bridge at 08:20 (bus stop 4216) and Hativat Harel/Shmuel HaNavi (bus stop 1625) at 08:25.
  • From the northern entrance to Maale-Adumim, on Highway 1 going east (Adumim Junction/Yishay Camp Junction, bus stop 60532), at 08:55.
  • From the Mitzpe Yericho Junction, on Highway 1 going east, across from the main entrance of Mitzpe Yericho (bus stop 60425), at 09:05.
  • From the main entrance of Mevo'ot Yericho, in the Jordan Valley at 09:45.
  • From Beit Shemesh: Contact Fayga Marks at 054-9422171.
  • Back in Jerusalem at approx. 14:30.

Info & Registration

  • Advance registration required: Send a text message / WhatsApp to Yoni at 052-3527313, stating your name, the number of participants and where you want to board the bus.
  • For participants from Beit Shemesh: Send an SMS / WhatsApp message to Fayga Marks at 054-9422171.
  • Cost: 80 NIS per person from all stations, except Beit Shemesh. Half price for children under 13.
  • Advance payment required: By BIT to telephone 052-8699300 or by bank transfer: Bank Discount, Branch 159 (Jerusalem Center), account No 3212507, in the name of "Jewish Life in Jericho".

Security in Jericho is assured by the Israel Defence Forces.

Hoshana Rabbah Night Study in Beit Hogla East of Jericho

We celebrate Hoshana Rabbah in Jericho, commemorating the 7 times its walls were circled, by circling the Bimah 7 times.

For many years now, we study on the night of Hoshana Rabbah in Beit Hogla, east of Jericho. In the morning, we go to the ancient Shalom al Israel synagogue in Jericho and circle the synagogue 7 times with the four species in hand - a well-established Jewish tradition which commemorates Joshua Bin Nun's final seven encirclements of Jericho, after which the walls fell down and the city was conquered.

Torah study on Hoshana Raba eve in Beit Hogla east of Jericho
Torah study on Hoshana Raba eve in Beit Hogla

Starting at 22:00.

Torah lessons:

Refreshments will be available throughout the night.

Getting to Beit Hogla

Beit Hogla is on Highway 90 (the Jordan Valley Road), 3 km north of the "Beit Ha'Arava Junction". Beit Hogla is next to the "Mahane Nevo" military base. The entrance to Beit Hogla is to the right of the military base's main gate.

  • By car, navigating with Google Maps: click here, or enter "Nevo Camp" on the app.
  • By car, navigating with Waze: click here, or enter "Nevo Camp" on the app.
  • By bus, from the Jerusalem Central Bus Station:
    Egged buses 961, 966, 967,   or   Electra-Afikim buses 941, 943, 946.
    Alight at "Mahane Nevo" (Nevo Camp army base), bus stop 61422 or 60782. Beit Hogla is just to the right of the army base's gate.

Hoshana Rabbah Festive Prayer in Jericho

Hakafot in the Shalom al Israel Synagogue with great joy
  • We will pray a festive Shaharith prayer in the ancient Shalom al Israel Synagogue in Jericho.
  • Bring Aravot!!

Buses

  • From Jerusalem: Chords Bridge (bus stop 4216) at 04:40, and Hativat Harel/Shmuel HaNavi (bus stop 1625) at 04:45.
  • From the northern entrance to Maale-Adumim, on Highway 1 going east (Adumim Junction/Yishay Camp Junction, bus stop 60532), at 05:00.
  • From the Mitzpe Yericho Junction, on Highway 1 going east, across from the main entrance of Mitzpe Yericho (bus stop 60425), at 05:10.
  • From the main entrance of Beit Hogla, on the Jordan Valley Road at 05:30.
  • From the main entrance of Moshav Naama, on the Jordan Valley Road at 05:45.
  • From Beit Shemesh: Contact Fayga Marks at 054-9422171.
  • Back in Jerusalem at approx. 10:30.

Info & Registration

  • Advance registration required: Send a text message / WhatsApp to Yoni at 052-3527313, stating your name, the number of participants and where you want to board the bus.
  • For participants from Beit Shemesh: Send an SMS / WhatsApp message to Fayga Marks at 054-9422171.
  • Cost: 80 NIS per person from all stations except Beit Shemesh. Half price for children under 13.
  • Advance payment required: By BIT to telephone 052-8699300 or by bank transfer: Bank Discount, Branch 159 (Jerusalem Center), account No 3212507, in the name of "Jewish Life in Jericho".

Security in Jericho is assured by the Israel Defence Forces.

Isru Hag - Visit to the ancient Naaran Synagogue and Water Fest in the Yitav Stream

The Yitav Stream north of Jericho
The Yitav Stream north of Jericho
  • We will visit the ancient Naaran Synagogue in Jericho, and learn about its history and traditions, and also enjoy the lush green desert osais surrounding the synagogue.
  • You can also dip into the Diuk Spring, just next to the synagogue.
  • Afterwards, we will travel to the Yitav Stream, just north of Jericho, and enjoy the abundant water and the beautiful scenery.

Buses

  • From Jerusalem: Chords Bridge at 07:30 (bus stop 4216) and Hativat Harel/Shmuel HaNavi (bus stop 1625) at 07:35.
  • From the northern entrance to Maale-Adumim, on Highway 1 going east (Adumim Junction/Yishay Camp Junction, bus stop 60532), at 07:55.
  • From the Mitzpe Yericho Junction, on Highway 1 going east, across from the main entrance of Mitzpe Yericho (bus stop 60425), at 08:05.
  • From the main entrance of Mevo'ot Yericho, in the Jordan Valley at 08:45.
  • From Beit Shemesh: Contact Fayga Marks at 054-9422171.
  • Back in Jerusalem at approx. 14:30.

Info & Registration

  • Advance registration required: Send a text message / WhatsApp to Yoni at 052-3527313, stating your name, the number of participants and where you want to board the bus.
  • For participants from Beit Shemesh: Send an SMS / WhatsApp message to Fayga Marks at 054-9422171.
  • Cost: 80 NIS per person from all stations, except Beit Shemesh. Half price for children under 13.
  • Advance payment required: By BIT to telephone 052-8699300 or by bank transfer: Bank Discount, Branch 159 (Jerusalem Center), account No 3212507, in the name of "Jewish Life in Jericho".

Security in Jericho is assured by the Israel Defence Forces.


Friday Prayer & Comprehensive Tour of Jericho

Tel Jericho - No walls remain on the eastern side
Tel Jericho - After Joshua's conquest, no walls remain on the eastern side

G-d willing, as soon as the situation allows, we will again pray at and tour some of Jericho's important historic sites.

  • We will pray Shaharith in the ancient Shalom al Israel Synagogue, with its unique mosaic full of Jewish symbolism,
  • We will then tour Tel Jericho (where the walls were brought down by the trumpets and the shofars of the Children of Israel),
  • The Elisha Spring (where the Prophet Elisha sweetened the waters of Jericho),
  • And the ancient Naaran Synagogue on the north tip of Jericho (with its Hellenistic classic mosaic, which stands in in contrast to that of Shalom al Israel).

Buses from Jerusalem, Moshav Naama (in the Jordan Valley) and Beit Shemesh.

Security in Jericho is assured by the Israel Defence Forces.

Help us re-establish the presence of the Jewish People in the holy city of Jericho!

The key to the Land of Israel!