waters in Jesus’ time, or standing on the site of Jesus’ synagogue at Capernaum and reading His teachings aloud from Luke (4, 31-49)? Imagine too, standing at Megiddo, site of Armageddon, and reciting the relevant passage from the Book of Revelations (16, 12-16), or at Jerusalem’s Church of Gallicantu - built over the site identified by tradition as the house of Caiaphas, the high priest of that time - and hearing the passage fromMark (14, 66-72) read aloud, describing Peter’s denial of Jesus? Spiritual songs can be part of a pilgrimage too. “Down by the Riverside” after a baptism in the River Jordan, or a hymn at St. Anne Church. St. Anne’s, the best-preserved Crusader-era church in Jerusalem, is located at the start of the Via Dolorosa, in the Old City, to mark the traditional site of the home of Jesus’ maternal grandparents, Anne and Joachim, and the birthplace of Mary and features an echo that just doesn’t stop. With the incredible energies unleashed by the pilgrimage experience, it is no wonder that such a spiritual journey can change lives forever. The Best Time to Come It goes without saying that pilgrimage planners should take heed of Covid-19 restrictions, many of which can change at a moment’s notice. Be sure to check in advance as well as right before departure. The climate in Israel is comfortable throughout the year. Autumn and spring are transient and often not even felt, leaving the country with a long hot summer and a short winter when rain can be plentiful, but usually is intermittent. Between April to September, when rain
hardly ever falls, Israel boasts temperatures that range from pleasantly cool in the hilly regions in the evenings to hot and sunny during the day. In low-lying regions like the Dead Sea or Tiberias, they can reach 35-40°C (about 95°F) at midday. The season running from October to March is more varied. Depending on the region, winter can mean a temperate sun with some rain, or biting winds and even occasional snow showers in the higher elevations. On the other hand, it is usually possible to swim in the Dead Sea even in the heart of winter, and sometimes in the Mediterranean too. When it comes to climate, any time is a good time to visit Israel. Other factors too may affect the timing of a pilgrimage. Budget-conscious groups are far more likely to travel during the traditional low-season, from November to February (excepting Christmas and the New Years holiday), when rates for land arrangements and airfare may be lower - though with the increase of pilgrimage travel to Israel in recent years and with yield management playing an important role in regulating prices, this is not always true. March to October is still considered a regular season, with some high peaks. As a result of the large increase in pilgrimage visits to Israel, groups wishing to spend Christmas or Easter in the Holy Land should expect to pay top rates and are urged to plan well in advance, as demand may outweigh supply. It is a good idea to take local holidays and their customs into consideration when planning a pilgrimage. Jewish festivals can add a distinctive flavor to a stay in Israel, even if it does mean that only unleavened bread (“matza”) is available at hotels during the seven days of Passover or that there is no transportation for more than 24 hours on the Day of Atonement and just about everything will be closed!
Noam Chen
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