ChinuchAtHome

Come and experience the living history of ancient cities all over the land of Israel. Bet Shemesh is mentioned in the Tanach, and is today populated by many English-speaking olim. Find out why we are so lucky to be here.

The first recorded "simcha" in Bet Shemesh happened when? This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it - Licensed Tour Guide can help answer the question.

Shmuel Aleph Perek Vav Pasuk Yud Gimel (1Samuel 6:13)

"The people of Bet Shemesh were reaping the wheat harvest in the valley, when they raised their eyes and saw the Ark, and they rejoiced to see it."

Bet Shemesh was a Jewish town on the "border" between Yehuda and the Plishtim. To the west of Bet Shemesh lived the Plishtim (a.k.a the Philistines (and the source of the name Palestine)). They were the Sea People (from Crete and the Aegean Islands) who "invaded" (Peleshet in Hebrew) and controlled the Coastal Plain (from today's Tel Aviv to Gaza), arriving prior to Yehoshua's conquest. During the period of the Shoftim - the Ark (Aron Luchot Habrit containing the tablets with the 10 commandments) was captured by the Plishtim. After the Ark caused major disturbances upon their people (and god Dagon), it was returned to Yehuda via a driverless carriage coming up Nachal Sorek led by two bulls - and there was much (actually too much) rejoicing in Shemeshville.

Read the full story in Shmuel Aleph Perek Vav.

Bet Shemesh is full of Jewish history from the Tanach. There is Tel Azeka where Dovid HaNaar slain Golyas the Pelisti, which is nearby. There is a stream, nachal, where Shimshon met Delilah. There are many rock formations on the hills where once stood buildings and homes of ancient Jews.

The Nachal Sorek mentioned in the story above, is today where a few schools are located, one where my daughter attends.

When I walk throughout town, I do feel the history and I always look up at the sky at night to see the beautiful clear skies with a few stars. The hills surrounding us (we live on one of the peaks of the Ramah) are testimony to our rich ancient history. You have to be here to see it and feel it.

I hope you can come and experience this yourself.

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