If you had 48 hours to spend in Israel, what would be your priorities? Visit family? Time on the beach? The Kotel? 

This week I had the opportunity to make a quick visit to Israel to take our Avremi to Yeshiva and I took our Shaina along for the trip. When planning the itinerary I wanted to make sure that she would have a fun, but learning experience.

Shaina's first impression was how easy it was to get kosher ice cream. And she loved the scenic views as we drove up to Jerusalem. I made a decision to prioritise a visit to Hebron. Security concerns mean that there are probably very few children from England who have been there, but it was important to me. 

We travelled with our good friend Amit Davidson and two of his children. Dr Amit recently returned to Israel after a two year residency in Leeds and it was very special to spend time with them. His wife's family have deep connections to Hebron. 

The trip, like all my previous visits, was uneventful from a security perspective, but filled with meaning and special moments. As we walked through the streets, I explained to Shaina that these are the same streets that Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebecca and Jacob and Leah walked and they are all buried right there in the Cave of Machpelah. King David initially established his throne in Hebron. Hebron, I explained, is, lhavdil, to Israel what York is to England. 

We visited Hebron on Thursday, when we study the fifth section of the weekly Torah portion. In the fifth section this week we read about the Ir Miklat, the Cities of Refuge. In Biblical times if someone committed manslaughter they would have to live in the City of Refuge in a kind of open prison arrangement while they studied and did penance for the killing. There were only a few Cities of Refuge in Israel and Hebron was one of them. 

Thursday was also the first day Rosh Chodesh of the Jewish month of Elul. The Rebbe writes about Elul in his iconic book Hayom Yom:

"The month of Elul is the month of reckoning. In the material world, if a businessman is to conduct his affairs properly and with great profit, he must periodically take an accounting and correct any deficiencies... Likewise in the spiritual avoda of serving G‑d. Throughout the year all Israel are occupied with Torah, Mitzvot and (developing and expressing) good traits. The month of Elul is the month of reckoning, when every Jew, each commensurate with his abilities, whether scholar or businessman, must make an accurate accounting in his soul of everything that occurred in the course of the year. Each must know the good qualities in his service of G‑d and strengthen them; he must also be aware of the deficiencies in himself and in his service, and correct these. Through this excellent preparation, one merits a good and sweet year, materially and spiritually."

The name Elul is also known to be an acronym for a number of different statements about the nature of the month. One of them references the Cities of Refuge. How do we relate to a City of Refuge in modern times?

With no physical City of Refuge, nowadays we can immerse ourselves in Torah study and draw our strength from there. During the month of Elul it is a special time to increase our Torah study and strengthen our relationship to Hashem through His Torah. As I wrote above, there is no shortage of opportunities, it is just down to us to decide what is our priority in the coming days and months.