Israel has a special type of middle eastern flair. Unlike many of the surrounding countries, the Jewish state can boast of its diversity and democratic values. Despite the western minded values in Israel, for many people, traveling to any country in the Middle East can be quite jarring. The scents, scenes, music, and the culture highlight an exciting foreign lifestyle. Some people are astonished at its uniqueness, while others….let’s just say they prefer Western cultures. In order to help you discover your longing for (or apprehension against) middle eastern culture, here are a few things that we think are what you need to know before visiting Israel.
Israel is Diverse
When we say diverse, we mean it in every definition of the word. From the people to the landscape, there is no shortage of variety in Israel’s culture, landscape and more.
Israel boasts snowy mountains in their north (snow in the “middle eastern desert”?). They have striking deserts in the Negev, lush oases in the Galilee and Ein Gedi, and they boast the lowest point on earth: the Dead Sea. Along with this diversity comes wildlife that is foreign to many people across the world. The fauna ranges from caracals and rock hyraxes to hoopoes and horned vipers. Even more than the flora and fauna, the people are diverse in culture and tradition.
Despite the claims of apartheid, Israel cannot be farther from that label. Don’t believe it? Read this article “Is it Dangerous to Travel to Israel.” In Israel you will find every type of person, young or old, religious or secular, Jewish, Muslim, Christian, or otherwise.
The only thing more diverse than the people is the food! You can try middle eastern staples like knafeh, baklava or Turkish coffee in the famous Mahane Yehuda Shuk in Jerusalem. You could also go off the beaten path on one of HaYovel’s trips and try homemade hummus, olives, and laffa while volunteering on a farming project.
If you don’t like middle eastern food, there’s no need to fret. You can find french fries, hamburgers, pizza, Asian food, Mexican food, and pretty much anything else you’re looking for.
You Won’t Visit a More Secure Country
One thing you’ll want to know before visiting Israel is that it is very well protected. As you walk under its skylines and through rural landscapes, you’ll be sure to see either a police officer or a member of the Israeli military. Even though the sight of people carrying guns openly shocks many, it actually provides a very effective means of protection for you and everyone around you.
That being said, in order to keep the country well protected, a rigorous screening process is in place to ensure Israel knows who and what is coming in and out of their borders. This means that you’ll most likely go through one of the most intense security of your life when you fly into Israel, especially if you fly with ElAl, Israel’s national airline. If you’re like me, their intense questioning may even convince you that you’re guilty of something by the end. Despite the rigorous process of entering and leaving the country, Israel has put in place a wonderful system that ensures the safety of both its residents and tourists.
Israel is a Moral Country
People can depict “moral” in various ways, but in this case, we’re talking about biblical values. There is not a single nation in the world that adheres to the words of the Bible better than the nation of Israel. This means that one of the things you should know before visiting Israel is that they keep the Shabbat.
When the Bible commanded Israel to honor the Shabbat in Exodus 20, the Jewish people took it seriously. That means that if you’re planning a Friday night dinner out on the town, you’ll find your options limited. In fact, nearly the whole country shuts down for Shabbat around 2:00 PM on Fridays and won’t open up again until Saturday night. Despite the uniqueness of this, we encourage everyone who visits Israel to embrace this practice and experience an Israeli-style Shabbat to its fullest.
Israel’s History is Rich
If you’re from the United States, then this might be something that will be shocking for you. For me, growing up in a rural area of Texas, a big part of my history class revolved around the Alamo. When I learned the battle of the Alamo was in 1836, it seemed like old history. Needless to say, once I visited Israel, 1836 didn’t seem so old anymore.
I thought something that happened nearly two hundred years ago was old, but when you talk to Israelis, they have a totally different understanding. On trips to Israel like these, you’ll be able to see wine presses and cisterns that date back 500 years to some of them going back 3,000 years ago or more. One of the most comedic things that an Israeli will tell you is that a 500 year-old wine press is “fairly modern”.
The Most Important Thing to Know Before Visiting Israel
We could say countless more things about what to know before visiting Israel, but here’s what we think is the most important:
You will always leave a little bit of your heart in Israel.
Whether you love or hate the culture and food, you won’t be able to help loving Israel. There is something about the country that is so captivating that you will leave completely changed and longing for your next opportunity to visit. It could be rooted in the fact that this is that place that God has His eyes on continually and will, one day, reign from, so it would make sense if our eyes and hearts are also directed towards this holy place.
You may be captivated by its beauty, culture, food, history, people, landscapes, holiness, safety, or more, but you will not be able to fully experience the extent of that captivation until you have visited Israel for yourself. If you or someone you know is thinking about visiting Israel, then we invite you to explore our various trip options here. On our trips, we’ll make sure that you’re able to experience all of the best and most unique aspects of this incredible country.
