In the Torah, gifts are rarely random details. For example, giving silver, livestock, land, or garments. Each item has deep cultural, emotional, and historical significance. One fascinating example appears when Joseph reunites with his brothers in Egypt. Among the...
Bronze bust of Benjamin by Ricardo Varela Andrés in Tudela, Navarre, 1994 | (c) en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benjamin_of_Tudela Who was Benjamin of Tudela? Benjamin of Tudela was one of the most important Jewish explorers of the medieval period. He started in Spain in the...
Jewish history is deeply intertwined with movement, migration, and exploration. Jews have traveled for many reasons, from ancient pilgrimages to modern wanderlust. Their journeys are shaped by necessity, opportunity, and spiritual devotion. Jews have traveled...
Medieval history is full of fascinating journeys, especially those by 12th-century Jewish travelers. Petachia of Regensburg presents a unique perspective on Jewish life in Europe and the Middle East. This contrasts with the travelogue of Benjamin of Tudela, who is...
Ludwig Riess was a Jewish historian from Germany. He greatly influenced Japanese historiography in the late 19th century. His story shows resilience and curiosity. It also reveals how history can link cultures in surprising ways. Ludwig Riess | (c) By Ogawa Kazumasa -...
The Exodus story is vital to Jewish history and tradition. It’s hard to know the exact route the Israelites took from Egypt to the Promised Land. How can today’s scholars and archaeologists piece together an event from over 3,000 years ago? This exploration examines...
The Torah portion called Shemini is well-known for introducing several kashrut laws. This includes the ban on eating pork. These dietary laws are often seen as religious rules. However, archaeology shows they might help us identify ancient populations in Israel....
The history of ancient Israel was not always centered around Jerusalem. Before the First Temple was built, worship happened in many places across the land. A fascinating discovery from this period is the temple at Tel Arad. This archaeological site offers a unique...
Among the sacred garments described in the Torah, few are as mysterious as the Ephod. In Parashat Tsav and related sections about the priestly service, the Ephod is one of the key garments of the High Priest. Yet despite its importance, the exact meaning of the word...
★★★★★
We could not believe what we were served. Chef Malcom is a GENIUS!!! Please tell the directors that we do not have words to express how pleased we were. I suppose that we will be recommending you to every friend we know.
Rhone River Cruise 2019
★★★★★
I have been totally spoiled for future vacations. Riverboat is the way to go. I’ve met such nice people, staff was great, food fantastic. A really well run and well thought out trip
★★★★★
Our experience was unique in that we were able to tour a lot of territory and a variety of places with minimal inconvenience. The fact that our boat was always with us and there were no long bus rides or waits made this mode of travel extremely enjoyable.