GOLAN HEIGHTS

1111 With 8 lifts and 14 trails of varying difficulty, the Mt. Hermon Ski Resort is surprisingly large and impressive. A family favorite, perhaps the best part is seeing the snowy mountains... in Israel! 12 Mount Hermon

With much of the Hermon in Lebanon, its peak straddling the border with Syria, and the rest controlled by Israel, it is not surprising that the UN maintains a buffer zone near the top of this gorgeous mountain cluster. What is known as “Hermon Hotel” is the highest permanently manned UN position in the world.

Often called the “snowy mountain” or the “gray-haired mountain,” in Israel the Hermon is known as “the eyes of the nation” because its peak of 2,236 m (7,336 ft.) is the country’s highest and is thus crucial to the IDF’s strategic early-warning system. No wonder the IDF fought so hard to climb this mountain in 1967 to stop Syrian shelling of the Jewish communities below, and then to recapture it in 1973 after Israeli positions had been overrun in the first days of that year’s Yom Kippur War.

Of course, the Jewish history of the Hermon goes back long before modern conflicts. The Hermon was the northern boundary of the tribe of Manasseh (Joshua 13:2), and is mentioned numerous times in Tanach (Jewish Scripture), such as in Psalms 42, Song of Songs 4:8, and elsewhere.

Mount Hermon is the site of the only ski resort in Israel, and a surprisingly good one — especially considering that it resides in the Middle East. It hosts many ski trails of all levels of difficulty, sledding, a ski school, and much more. The nearby Hermon Nature Reserve includes abundant and diverse vegetation, animal life, hiking trails, waterfalls — and incredible scenery.

Beauty. Security. Sport. Health. Fun for the family. So much goodness in one place — it is indeed “like the dew of Hermon, that comes down upon the mountains of Zion, for there G-d commanded the blessing — Life! — forever” (Psalms 133:3).

With 8 lifts and 14 trails of varying difficulty, the Mt. Hermon Ski Resort is surprisingly large and impressive. A family favorite, perhaps the best part is seeing the snowy mountains... in Israel! 13 Built by Saladin’s son in 1229 CE to stop the Crusaders, Nimrod’s Fortress stands majestically above the Golan Heights and Hula Valley. 14 One of Israel’s most lush locations, with its trails, suspended bridge, vegetation (and water!), the Banyas Waterfall is a perennial favorite. 15 The 9th century BCE Israelite Gate served as a gathering and market place in times of peace. A raised podium and canopy-holder stand at the entrance, and likely served the judge or king. 16 Tel Dan

Considering that Israel is (mostly) a desert country, it is no wonder that Israelis flock to places like the gorgeous Dan River at the northern foot of the Golan Heights to appreciate G-d’s beautiful planet — and nature’s abundance.

The Tel Dan National Park also has great historical significance. The Canaanite Gate of what was then called Layish (or Leshem) is very possibly the oldest arched gate in the world, dating back roughly 3,800 years. While we can’t say for sure, it is highly likely that Abraham and Sarah came through this ancient town when they first entered Israel. No wonder the gate is often called Shaar Avraham (Abraham’s Gate).

The entranceway to this Canaanite Gate was narrow so only one attacking soldier could enter at a time, making him highly vulnerable. When the Israelites conquered and rebuilt the city, they named it Dan (Joshua 19:47). They built a new city wall and a new gate, with a sharp angle created to slow down attacking chariots. However they were designed, gates were crucial in times of war. No less so in times of peace: Ancient cities generally did not have large inner courtyards as space was precious inside fortified city walls. The city gate therefore had another important function: This is where the king and elders sat and judged cases brought before them, where the crowds came on market days, and where public meetings and celebrations were held.

How fitting that in the 1993–94 digging season, the first non-Biblical proof of the existence of the House of David was found right outside the gate. Archeologists still argue about how large his kingdom was, but due to the Tel Dan Inscription (aka the Tel Dan Stele) and its reference to the “House of David,” nearly everyone now acknowledges that David was, indeed, king of Israel. Over time, there is more and more archeological evidence of the historicity (historical accuracy) of Tanach (Jewish Scripture). How wonderful to find it in such a beautiful and fascinating place.

The 9th century BCE Israelite Gate served as a gathering and market place in times of peace. A raised podium and canopy-holder stand at the entrance, and likely served the judge or king. 17 The 18th century BCE Canaanite Gate was made of sun-baked clay bricks and is possibly the oldest arched gate in the world. 18 The Upper Jordan river has three main sources: the Chatzbani, the Banyas, and this—the largest—the Dan River. 19 Mt. Bental is a dormant volcano with panoramic views of Israel and Syria. It is a great location to hear about famous battles of the past — and tragedies of the present. 20