Page 46 - Holyland Magazine - 2021 Edition

The dirt filtration project from the Temple Mount
sites, these sites were not closed (except
during the lockdowns) and many Israelis
visited, continuing to learn about biblical deeds These types of tours are very common due to
through archaeological finds.
Tourism will return, this is something obvious
to everyone, but will it be the same? Only days
will tell.
What is clear today, especially as we gain
control of the pandemic, is that visitors from
all over the world will seek to visit holy places less common and includes many sites, a large
to thank God in us surviving these testing
times. Or, alternatively, to pray closer to God
for those affected.
When we look throughout history, we can
distinguish between two types of tours to the
Land of Israel:
• Pilgrimage Tours
• Study Tours
Pilgrimage tours are the basic tours, most of
which are church-oriented, visiting heritage
sites and exploring traditions. These tours
do not go into great depth when it comes to
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biblical text, but rather stay close to the surface
and settle for more superficial explanations.
the relatively low price and smaller number of
sites visited compared to the study tour.
Study tours are characterized by in-depth
analysis of biblical text in front of archaeological us has increased.
sites, where the tourist is exposed to. This
allows visitors to gain new perspectives on
the lives of biblical heroes. This type of tour is
volume of study material and field insight led
by experts.
However, despite being "more difficult," the
study tour leaves a much deeper impression
and imprint than its counterpart – the
pilgrimage tour.
In the coming years, it is in my humble opinion
that we will experience a growth in distribution
of the types of tours to the Land of Israel. The
classic pilgrimage tour will continue to be a
big part of the movement, but the study tour,
which gives great depth in understanding
biblical text, will continue to hold a special
status and a growth in participants.
Tel Dan Nature Reserve
Inside the Tel Dan Nature Reserve
In the days of calmness, many believers feel
the closeness to God, but do not necessarily
feel the need to deepen the connection and
biblical understanding. In the days after
disasters, war or epidemic, such as what we
are experiencing now, the intense need to find
answers to everyday questions which bother
This is where the power and uniqueness
of the study tour comes into play. Not
just what happened at a particular site,
but why it happened here, what were the
conditions before the incident, what were the
consequences afterwards, why did this unique
incident happen in this unique place and what
do we learn about the way God works, the
Bible and who we are today?
The author – Omer Eshel, CEO of The Bible Comes
to Life, an organization that specializes in study
tours, online Bible studies and Bible lectures.
www.tbctl.com