In Jewish Sites
After Rabban Gamliel to Yavneh!
In the center of the country, between the cities of Rechovot and Ashdod, the city of Yavneh is situated. In the heart of Yavneh, in the midst of a large park, stands an ancient grave which is attributed to Rabban Gamliel.
During the period of the destruction of the Second Temple, the Nassi Rabban Shimon Ben Gamliel, who was one of the Ten Martyrs, was murdered at the hands of the Romans. After his murder, the Romans refused to accept his son, Rabban Gamliel, as Nassi, instead appointing Rabbi Yochanan Ben Zakai who had begged Vespasian to spare the city of Yavneh and its wise men. Following the end of the Vespasian Dynasty rule in Rome, Rabbi Yochanan Ben Zakai returned the title of Nassi to Rabban Gamliel.
Rabban Gamliel was appointed Head of the Sanhedrin, and during his leadership many new rulings were implemented, among them the Blessing of the Gentiles in the Amidah prayer.
Today's city of Yavneh is located over the ruins of an Arabic village which bore the same name. In close proximity to the city, near the local train station on a small hill called Tel Yavneh, an ancient tower is situated. No archeological diggings have been conducted in the area; however the tower is widely believed to originate from the ancient city of Yavneh, where Rabban Gamliel headed the Sanhedrin.
Adjacent to the train station, at the entrance to the city, stands a magnificent tent. The tent is decorated with bows and stone engravings, and is, according to tradition, the burial place of Rabban Gamliel. The gravestone is situated in the middle of the tent, half in the men's section and half in the women's section. Surrounding it are several marble stones where various famous sayings of Rabban Gamliel are engraved. A synagogue is active inside the tent and many Jews visit the site daily. The tent stands in the middle of a large park named 'The Park of the Sanhedrin', and at the entrance to the park stands an ancient stone coffin. It is assumed that the coffin dates back to the time of the Second Temple, when it was customary to bury the dead in similar coffins. The park is surrounded by large grass fields and at one end of the park stands a structure artistically painted with a breathtaking mosaic presentation of the Six Orders of the Mishnah.
Eliyahu’s Cave On the slope of the Mt. Carmel in Haifa is found Eliyahu's Cave from where Eliyahu called out, "Until when will you waver on both sides...".
Haifa – Nesher Park This location was already specified during the Mandate Period to be preserved as a Nature Reserve, and in the 50's was the site of planting of pine trees every Tu b’Shevat. The area was later neglected, and became nothing more than a dumpsite – and when the site was in danger of being entirely ruined, a rehabilitation project of Keren Kayemet l’Yisrael began, and took the area under its wing. The transformation was stunning and the attractions beckon. There is also a cable car running on steel cables which is also suitable for children.
‘The Custom of the Place’ Chapter 2: Buildings from a Bygone Era In this chapter we will deal with Beit Shearim - a town from the period of the Mishna, and take a look at the ruins of the ancient settlement ‘Megido’