Guided tour for groups at Neot Kedumim

Neot Kedumim, is the world's only biblical nature reserve, spread across 625 acres of restored landscape, hidden in quiet and picturesque foothills of Judea, between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. It is dotted with olive groves, wheat fields and vineyards, recreating the physical setting of the Bible. Here we use nature and the ancient scriptures as sources of inspiration for our guided tours and workshops.

“…enter the good land the Lord your God is giving you as your inheritance” Deuteronomy 4:21

• Length of tour –Up to 3 hours.
• Visit ancient agricultural installations such as the cistern, the oil and wine presses and the threshing floor.
• Walk on the trails of emblematic Biblical plants such as the date palm, the almond tree, the olive tree and the myrtle bush. Learn about their significance and symbolism in the Jewish heritage.
• Take part in interactive and fun activities such as drawing water from the cistern, preparing hyssop seasoning (Za’atar), crushing olives, grinding wheat etc.

Add on activities can be ordered with an additional charge:

• Sheepherding – Lead a flock of sheep and goats and learn about the qualities of a good leader based on our forefathers’ experiences.
• Torah scribe demonstration– Meet our enchanting Torah scribe and learn about what is required for this unique craft: his writing tools, the Hebrew meaning of his profession and reading from an old Torah scroll.
• Tree planting – Plant a forest tree sapling (click on the link for more information).
• Biblical Outdoor cooking – Cook a meal based on ingredients and recipes that existed during Biblical times.

Our tours involve light walking and include some of the stations mentioned above. Each season and holiday has it’s own unique focus.

Spring Tour – Flowers of Israel at their peak

“Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come, the cooing of doves is heard in our land.”(Song of Songs 2:12)

Tour our Biblical Park at the greenest time of year and engage all of your senses.  Walk through carpets of flowers while discovering their Biblical connection. Be enchanted by the blossoming of the trees, and the singing of the nestling birds. Smell the magical flowers of the almond tree and taste the edible shoots bursting from the ground.

Summer Tour – Ripe Biblical Fruit

“They that sow in tears shall reap in joy”. (Psalms 126:5)

Walk the trail of the seven species which are now reaching their prime.  Pass through the golden fields of wheat and barley like Ruth and Boaz. Arrive at the threshing floor and experience the journey of the grain from the field to flour in order to truly understand the meaning of “by the sweat of your brow…” (Genesis 3:19).  Rest in the shade of the grape vine and fig trees as described in Micha 4:4

Fall Tour – The rain will fall in its season

“…then I will send rain on your land in its season, both autumn and spring rains…” Deutoronomy 11:14

This is the season to gather in the crops and pray for rain to start falling to fulfill the promise of the land flowing with milk and honey. Visit the water cistern and learn about it’s importance at this time of year deepening our understanding of the text in the Mezuzah and Tefilin (Phylacteries). Try your hand at plowing and sowing the land.

Optional: Tour our famous Sukkah Exhibition and walk through the gardens of the four species.

Winter Tour –Oil and Light

“Not by might, nor by power, but by My spirit, said the LORD” (Zechariah 4:6)

Winter is the season to harvest olives (Masik). Follow the harvesting process from the olive tree to the extraction of the oil at the authentic stone olive press. Learn about the different uses of olive oil in ancient times.

Neot Kedumim is located in the land of the Maccabees where the story of Chanukah started. Discover the symbolism of the Menorah and it’s connection to Chanukah and the emblem of the State of Israel.

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