Just Can't Beat The Tiyul To The North

By: Tevy Pilc

It's the one time all yeshiva bachurim eagerly anticipate. It's that time of the year where we can take a break from the strenuous amount of learning we engage in and a time to kick back, enjoy each others' company and bask in the beauty that is of course the Holy Land: Eretz Yisrael. This
amazing course of events of the tiyul, the time we can experience Eretz Yisrael, accompanied by our fellow bachurim and extraordinary Rabbis.

On our most recent five day tiyul, we had the great opportunity to spend our time up in the northern regions of Israel, more commonly known as the Galil and the Golan. Among the several events that we took part on the tiyul included an out-of-body shabbos in the holy city of Tzefat, strenuous hikes along the Nahal Zahavitan and a very muddy and slippery Mt. Arbel, a wet and wild kayaking excursion along the Jordan River, a crazy cruise trip across the Kinerret, trips to the kevers of several noted scholars including the Rambam, Ramchal, Rabbi Akiva and the great Kabbalists buried in the ancient cemetery of Tzefat.
We were also fortunate to be apart of an intoxicating trip to the Golan Winery, an unforgettable evening at the Canada Center, a breathtaking view at the gorgeous Rosh Hanikra grottoes, a gracious ride up the longest cable car ride in the Middle East to the Manara Cliffs, a look at our history at the Akko prison and the Atlit Detention Camp and a bumpy jeep ride near the Lebanese border.

Among the great itinerary set upon us came many pportunities to enhance our overall experience on the tiyul. I would like to share one of my own experiences that allowed me to enhance my overall experience on the tiyul:

We had reached the bottom on the Nahal Zahavitan where we were greeted by a
beautiful water fall and two natural pools (which can be seen on Yeshivat Ohr David website!!) and a few of us had proceeded to take a dip in one of the pools. I on the other hand, had other plans... I commenced my journey up the very difficult cliffs to my preferred; my heart is pounding with every step I take and every rock I grab hold to. I finally reach my destination after much
perspiration. There I stand atop the cliffs overlooking the pool, the rest of the bachers and the two rabbis accompanying us on the hike. Up there with me was another bachur, contemplating our next moves. ?You go,? I tell him. ?No!!? he replies, ?You go!!? After going back and forth a few times, I reluctantly choose to go first. I look over the edge, and think to myself:
?Okay, I'm afraid of heights, I've done this before. But I'm the first to try this, the guinea pig. If I get hurt, my time on the tiyul is ruined. Or even worse. However if I make it, I'm a hero. I look down one last time and without hesitation I leap into the air graciously drop into the pool beneath me. As I go underneath the water, I immediately bring myself to the surface, throw my arm
up in the air and let out an exhilarating scream of happiness. There to greet me are the rest of guys and the rabbis to congratulate me on my plummet. After my jump, several of the guys follow my lead and take the plunge as well. ?I can't believe you just did that,? said an overwhelmed Rabbi Friedman as he greets me. That was probably one of the most ridiculous things I had ever done
in my life, all for the enjoyment of the tiyul. However, what was even more ridiculous was when I got there for a second time and took the plummet again, just so i could get a picture of me actually doing it this time (the picture turned out amazing; I'm in mid-air!!)

All in all, aside from having the time of our lives and regardless of whatever crazy opportunities that may come into play, I speak for all of the yeshiva bachers that those past five days will be a few we never forget for the rest of our lives.

On our most recent five day tiyul, we had the great opportunity to spend our time up in the northern regions of Israel, more commonly known as the Galil and the Golan. Among the several events that we took part on the tiyul included an out-of-body shabbos in the holy city of Tzefat, strenuous hikes along the Nahal Zahavitan and a very muddy and slippery Mt. Arbel, a wet and wild kayaking excursion along the Jordan River, a crazy cruise trip across the Kinerret,
trips to the kevers of several noted scholars including the Rambam, Ramchal, Rabbi Akiva and the great Kabbalists buried in the ancient cemetery of Tzefat.
We were also fortunate to be apart of an intoxicating trip to the Golan Winery, an unforgettable evening at the Canada Center, a breathtaking view at the gorgeous Rosh Hanikra grottoes, a gracious ride up the longest cable car ride in the Middle East to the Manara Cliffs, a look at our history at the Akko prison and the Atlit Detention Camp and a bumpy jeep ride near the Lebanese
border.

Among the great itinerary set upon us came many opportunities to enhance our overall experience on the tiyul. I would like to share one of my own experiences that allowed me to enhance my overall experience on the tiyul:

We had reached the bottom on the Nahal Zahavitan where we were greeted by a beautiful water fall and two natural pools (which can be seen on Yeshivat Ohr David website!!) and a few of us had proceeded to take a dip in one of the pools. I on the other hand, had other plans... I commenced my journey up the very difficult cliffs to my preferred; my heart is pounding with every step I
take and every rock I grab hold to. I finally reach my destination after much perspiration. There I stand atop the cliffs overlooking the pool, the rest of the bachers and the two rabbis accompanying us on the hike. Up there with me was another bachur, contemplating our next moves. ?You go,? I tell him. ?No!!? he replies, ?You go!!? After going back and forth a few times, I reluctantly choose to go first. I look over the edge, and think to myself: ?Okay, I'm afraid of heights, I've done this before. But I'm the first to try this, the guinea pig. If I get hurt, my time on the tiyul is ruined. Or even
worse. However if I make it, I'm a hero. I look down one last time and without hesitation I leap into the air graciously drop into the pool beneath me. As I
go underneath the water, I immediately bring myself to the surface, throw my arm up in the air and let out an exhilarating scream of happiness. There to greet me
are the rest of guys and the rabbis to congratulate me on my plummet. After my jump, several of the guys follow my lead and take the plunge as well. ?I
can't believe you just did that,? said an overwhelmed Rabbi Friedman as he greets me. That was probably one of the most ridiculous things I had ever done in my life, all for the enjoyment of the tiyul. However, what was even more
ridiculous was when I got there for a second time and took the plummet again, just so i could get a picture of me actually doing it this time (the picture turned out amazing; I'm in mid-air!!)

All in all, aside from having the time of our lives and regardless of whatever crazy opportunities that may come into play, I speak for all of the yeshiva bachers that those past five days will be a few we never forget for the rest of our lives.

Each of the panelists emphasized a different aspect

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