Revision as of 16:28, 26 December 2011 (edit) Laurierappeport (Talk | contribs) (Amuka Gravesite of Rabbi Yonatan Ben Uziel)		Revision as of 20:44, 19 February 2012 (edit) (undo) Simcha (Talk | contribs) Newer edit →
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−	('''Hebrew''': עמוקה / '''Translation''': Amuka / '''Pronunciation''' Am-oo-kah /'''Other Names''': Gravesite of Rabbi Yonatan Ben Uziel / '''Definition''': Gravesite of Talmudic-Era Rabbi / '''Description''': Pilgrimage site for singles hoping to find their matches)	+	('''Hebrew''': חוות בת יער / '''Translation''': Bat Ya’ar / '''Pronunciation''' Ba-at Ya-ar /'''Other Names''': Amuka Ranch, Biriya Ranch, / '''Definition''': Daughter of the Forest Ranch / '''Description''': Horse ranch with other outdoor activities and restaurant outside of Tzfat)
−	Amuka, located on the western edge of the Biriya forest, is an ancient gravesite of a Talmudic scholar, Rabbi Yonatan Ben Uziel.  Tradition relates that singles who pray at the gravesite of this rabbi will find their “zivug” -- true soulmate. The site attracts many singles, both men and women, of all ages and levels of Jewish practice.	+	Visitors to the Tzfat area have the opportunity to drive to the nearby [[Biriya]] forest and enjoy a wide range of outdoor activities at the Bat Ya’ar Ranch. The Bat Ya’ar Ranch is a 15-minute drive northwest of Tzfat.
−	== Rabbi Yonatan Ben Uziel ==	+	== Activities ==
−	Rabbi Yonatan Ben Uziel was a student of Rabbi Hillel and lived in the first century A.D. In the Talmud tractate Sukkah [28a] it is written that when birds flew over his head they burned due to the presence of the angels who came to hear Rabbi Ben Uziel study Torah.	+	Visitors to the Bat Ya’ar Ranch will find a wide variety of activities that fit different age levels and interests. Multi-age families and groups are able to enjoy the activities of the ranch with plenty of options for visitors of all ages.
−	Rabbi Ben Uziel is best known for his Translation of the Prophets, the “Targum, into Aramaic, the vernacular of his day. The Talmud tractate Megilla [3a] writes that he planned to author a translation and commentary on the Writings as well but the heavens prevented this from happening because they did  not want him to reveal the secrets of the final redemption.	+	=== Horse Ranch ===
		+	The main focus of the Bat Ya’ar Ranch is the dude ranch where visitors can get to know the horses and ponies, interact with the animals and ride on horses or ponies in the corral that are appropriate for their size and age
−	== Tradition Regarding Marriage ==	+	Bat Ya’ar also hosts therapeutic riding for special needs children and adults.
−	Jewish tradition relates that Yonatan Ben Uziel never married because he preferred to dedicate all of his time to his Torah studies. Toward the end of his life he regretted this so in order to encourage marriages he gave a blessing that all those who are unmarried will find their soulmates within a period of one year if they visit his resting place. His gravesite at Amuka is a compelling pilgrimage site for singles who pray that, through Rabbi Ben Uziel’s intervention in the heavens, they will meet their soulmate.	+
−	=== Stories ===	+	=== Galilean Jeep Experience ===
−	Stories abound regarding individuals who pray at Amuka seeking a match. A number of stories revolve around people who intentionally “forgot” their “siddur” -- prayer book -- with their name and contact details. The siddur was picked up and contact was initiated with a possible match. Other singles who had searched for their match for many years describe miraculously meeting someone very soon after their visit to Amuka.	+	Jeep Tours leave from the Bat Yaar Ranch or from any Safed-area hotel and tour the trails and paths of the area fields and forests. Experienced drivers describe the history of the region and it’s Biblical significance along with the flora and fauna of the area.
−	=== Proxy ===	+	=== Bat Ya’ar Challenge Park ===
−	Within Jewish tradition, it is customary for people who cannot themselves visit a holy site to commission someone to do so in their place. This generally involves paying someone to pray on their behalf.A number of people in Tzfat are prepared to undertake this mission and pray at Yonatan Ben Uziel’s gravesite on behalf of others.	+	Kids and adults alike will enjoy the challenges of the Bat Ya’ar Challenge park where the eight-rope bridge twists and turns through the trees. Safety ropes keep climbers secure while they swing and climb through the rope course as it winds through the Biriya forest.
−	== Location ==	+	=== Young Children ===
−	Amuka is located outside of Tzfat in the Biriya forest, along the road that goes by the Bat Ya’ar Ranch. There is also a small village, called “Amuka” consisting of several dozen families, within a few minutes walk of the gravesite.	+	Young children have plenty to do at Bat Ya’ar, including pita-baking with adult supervisors, a petting zoo, arts and crafts workshops and a playground.
−	To get to Amuka from Tzfat, visitors must drive or take a cab as there are no buses that drive by the area. Drivers drive north out of Tzfat, cross over the Biriya junction and continue northward into the Birya forest. At the traffic circle, the Ibikur neighborhood is to the right of the junction and the road that goes left, westward, reaches Amuka. Signs help direct visitors who must park along the side of the road and walk down the path to the gravesite.	+	=== Bowling Alley ===
		+	The outdoor bowling alley at Bat Ya’ar is open into the evening hours, allowing families, couples and others to bowl under the trees of the Biriya forest. The bowling alley has two alleys and uses wooden bowls.
−	A trail also leads out of the Old Jewish Quarter to Amuka. Hikers are advised to obtain a good map or directions before embarking on the walk.	+	== Restaurant ==
		+	The rustic restaurant serves country-style food as well as grilled meats. The restaurant is not kosher but groups can use the restaurant and bring in kosher food via a local kosher caterer. The restaurant holds up to 60 people
		+
		+	== Location ==
		+	The Bat Ya’ar Ranch is located outside of Tzfat in the Biriya forest, next to the ancient tomb of Rabbi Yonatan Ben Uziel at Amuka. The nearby village of Amuka is also a five minute walk from the ranch. From Tzfat, visitors drive north out of Tzfat, crossing the Biriya junction and continuing northward into the Birya forest. The road then branches at a traffic circle and drivers turn westward to the ranch. There are signs pointing visitors towards the ranch, as well as to the tomb and the village.

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Revision as of 20:44, 19 February 2012

(Hebrew: חוות בת יער / Translation: Bat Ya’ar / Pronunciation Ba-at Ya-ar /Other Names: Amuka Ranch, Biriya Ranch, / Definition: Daughter of the Forest Ranch / Description: Horse ranch with other outdoor activities and restaurant outside of Tzfat)

Visitors to the Tzfat area have the opportunity to drive to the nearby Biriya forest and enjoy a wide range of outdoor activities at the Bat Ya’ar Ranch. The Bat Ya’ar Ranch is a 15-minute drive northwest of Tzfat.

Contents 1 Activities 1.1 Horse Ranch 1.2 Galilean Jeep Experience 1.3 Bat Ya’ar Challenge Park 1.4 Young Children 1.5 Bowling Alley 2 Restaurant 3 Location

Activities

Visitors to the Bat Ya’ar Ranch will find a wide variety of activities that fit different age levels and interests. Multi-age families and groups are able to enjoy the activities of the ranch with plenty of options for visitors of all ages.

Horse Ranch

The main focus of the Bat Ya’ar Ranch is the dude ranch where visitors can get to know the horses and ponies, interact with the animals and ride on horses or ponies in the corral that are appropriate for their size and age

Bat Ya’ar also hosts therapeutic riding for special needs children and adults.

Galilean Jeep Experience

Jeep Tours leave from the Bat Yaar Ranch or from any Safed-area hotel and tour the trails and paths of the area fields and forests. Experienced drivers describe the history of the region and it’s Biblical significance along with the flora and fauna of the area.

Bat Ya’ar Challenge Park

Kids and adults alike will enjoy the challenges of the Bat Ya’ar Challenge park where the eight-rope bridge twists and turns through the trees. Safety ropes keep climbers secure while they swing and climb through the rope course as it winds through the Biriya forest.

Young Children

Young children have plenty to do at Bat Ya’ar, including pita-baking with adult supervisors, a petting zoo, arts and crafts workshops and a playground.

Bowling Alley

The outdoor bowling alley at Bat Ya’ar is open into the evening hours, allowing families, couples and others to bowl under the trees of the Biriya forest. The bowling alley has two alleys and uses wooden bowls.

Restaurant

The rustic restaurant serves country-style food as well as grilled meats. The restaurant is not kosher but groups can use the restaurant and bring in kosher food via a local kosher caterer. The restaurant holds up to 60 people

Location

The Bat Ya’ar Ranch is located outside of Tzfat in the Biriya forest, next to the ancient tomb of Rabbi Yonatan Ben Uziel at Amuka. The nearby village of Amuka is also a five minute walk from the ranch. From Tzfat, visitors drive north out of Tzfat, crossing the Biriya junction and continuing northward into the Birya forest. The road then branches at a traffic circle and drivers turn westward to the ranch. There are signs pointing visitors towards the ranch, as well as to the tomb and the village.