In Preparation for the Endtime Prophecy Tour:

Walking in the footsteps of Jesus Christ and His disciples is an incredible opportunity. But there are important customs to know before going to Israel in order to respect cultural differences and assimilate easily during the Prophecy Tour.

Jerusalem and Judea sit center stage for the events that will soon lead to the seventh and final trumpet. This is why it is so important for us to engage with the people of Israel. Our Endtime Prophecy Tour provides an opportunity to visit key sites from the life of Jesus Christ. But the culture of Israel is very unique, and there are some things visitors should know before arriving. What follows are five customs to know before going to Israel.

 

1. Be Direct – Many people in Israel will approach strangers on the street and engage them in conversation. They may even ask questions that people from countries like the US would find unusually direct. People often stand very close when talking, less than two or three feet. Touching is considered more acceptable during conversation, and people also use a lot of direct eye contact. This directness of communication may make some visitors a little uncomfortable at first. But it should not be taken as a sign of disrespect. In fact, Israelis are usually polite and even very hospitable. At the same rate, visitors should be sensitive, particularly toward religiously observant Israelis. Despite their candid nature, people in Israel still tend to be sensitive about matters of local politics and religion. This is especially true of religious Jews, Christians, and Muslims.
2. Observe Shabbat – The Sabbath, or Shabbat, is observed by Jews on Saturday. Because of this, many services are closed on Saturday, such as businesses and public transportation. This is particularly true in areas that are more religiously observant, like Jerusalem. Be sure to plan ahead if visiting Jerusalem on Saturday.
3. Respect Gender Customs – Many places in Israel are very secular and modern, especially Tel Aviv. People here tend to be more liberal and direct in their interactions. In other places–like many districts of Jerusalem–almost everyone adheres to strict religious rules. So outsiders always stand out, but they will stand out less if they follow these few basic customs. Women should wear modest clothing that covers the arms, and legs. Couples should not publicly display affection.
4. Conserve Water – Israel is a dry country. Israelis like to conserve water, so wasting water is highly frowned upon. Visitors should consider not leaving the water running or taking long showers.
5. Say “OK” – Although these are important customs to know before going to Israel, one should not be too intimidated by Israeli culture. Israelis are very friendly and hospitable. They also have many customs that a visitor from a Western country will find familiar. For example, most Israelis are able to speak English if asked. Many Israeli hand gestures are the same as those used in the US, like the “OK” sign and the “thumbs up” sign.

 

These are some important customs to know before going to Israel, and they should be regarded while visiting. The people of Israel will have an important role in the final days leading to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. There are many ways that you can learn more about the prophecies of the End Times and become involved with Endtime Ministries in our effort to help spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the message of His soon return.