Visitors' Center
Visit to the Torah VeHa'aretz Visitors' Center – Nitzan (5786 / 2025–26)
Welcome
The Torah VeHa'aretz Visitors' Center invites families, groups, and visitors of all ages to discover the deep and enduring connection between the People of Israel and the Land of Israel through the agricultural commandments, mitzvot hateluyot ba’aretz).
The Visitors' Center offers a rich variety of educational and interactive experiences, workshops, and guided activities throughout the year, by prior arrangement.
Admission: NIS 25 per participant
Duration: Family visit: ≈2 hours | Group visit: 2¼ hours to a full day
For inquiries and registration:
Email: nofar@toraland.org.il
Telephone (9 AM–3 PM): 073-3280027 or 08-6847088 ext. 3
Website: Here
About the Visitors’ Center
The Visitors' Center explores the unique mutual bond between the Jewish People and our Land — the longing across generations and the opportunity to live an ideal life in our homeland.
Visitors are invited to an engaging experience combining study, enjoyment, and inspiration through multimedia exhibits, hands-on learning, all fostering a deep connection to Jewish heritage.
Topics explored include:
- How can we live ideal lives in the Land of Israel?
- How do we make the desert bloom while preserving nature’s treasures?
- What role do spiritual leaders play in everyday life?
- How do we balance the varied needs of Israeli society?
Center Structure
Auditorium 1: Introductory film (≈10 min)
Main Gallery: Multimedia exhibits on diverse themes
Auditorium 2: Short film (≈5 min) leading to the Garden of Mitzvot
Main Gallery
The Main Gallery is divided into five thematic sections — People & Spirit, People & Earth, People & Land, People & Time, and People & Society.
Each space includes creative exhibits such as puzzles, videos, audio stations, and digital books. Many are with English VOs, while some are in Hebrew with English subtitles.
For a detailed review of all of the exhibits >>
Recommended age: 6+
Duration: 30–60 minutes
Garden of Mitzvot
The Garden of Mitzvot is a living classroom — a botanical garden featuring more than 120 plant species in nine themed plots.
Each area brings the land-dependent mitzvot to life through interactive, hands-on learning.
Sample questions explored:
- Is papaya a tree or a vegetable?
- Which blessing do we say before smelling rosemary?
- What does a graft look like and when is grafting permitted or forbidden?
- What makes the etrog tree unique?
- How far apart must vegetables be planted from one another?
- How much distance is required between grapevines and annual plants?
- Do you need to separate terumot and ma’aserot when picking an orange in your yard?
The nine plots: Spices, Home Garden, Herbs, Tree vs Vegetable, Seven Species, Orlah, Kilei Ilan, Kilei Zera'im, Four Species
Visitors receive:
A collection bag for Havdalah spices and a tea bag for tea leaves, a guidebook to the garden, and the booklet Mitzvot of the Land in a Nutshell.
Families can also enjoy a treasure hunt activity in the garden.
Duration: 30–60 minutes
Click here for detailed information about the plants in the Garden of Mitzvot.
Types of Visits
Family Visit
Includes an introduction to Torah VeHa'aretz Institute, the Visitors’ Center, and the Garden of Mitzvot. Visitors tour the Visitors' Center and then go outside to the botanical Garden of Mitzvot.
Families receive a visitor’s packet and tour the garden independently with the guidebook.
Duration: 90–120 minutes
Make the most of your visit by exploring other exciting sites in the area!
Discover the Gush Katif Heritage Center in Nitzan, dedicated to preserving the legacy of Gush Katif; explore the historic Old Nitzanim site – Yad La’Isha HaLochemet (the Women’s Memorial) operated by the Shikmim Field School; enjoy a peaceful break at the Eucalyptus Grove and set out on a scenic hike through the Nitzanim Sand Dunes Nature Reserve (see here too) or relax at the beautiful Lachish Park in Ashdod.
Want more ideas? For a list of heritage tours and family-friendly activities in the area, click here.
Additional learning options:
- Planting workshop on kilei zera'im
- Educational film about terumot and ma'aserot: Clementino the Detective (Underdos; Hebrew with English subtitles)
- Hands-on terumot and ma’aserot workshop from vegetables in the Garden of Mitzvot
- Hafrashat challah workshop
- Photo-opp: Dress-up as farmers or pilgrims making their way to Jerusalem and take photos with baskets of the Seven Species
- Lectures on the laws of orlah, kilayim, terumot and ma’aserot, or challah
For high-school and post-high school students:
Field visits: seedling nursery, insect-free vegetable plant, or etrog orchard near Kfar Maimon
Group Visits
(For extended families, communities, rabbis, educators, retirees, and other organized groups)
Each group visit is custom planned with a dedicated guide.
Duration: 2¼ hours to a full day
Short visits include:
- Introduction to Torah Veha'aretz Institute
- Guided tour of the Visitors’ Center
- In-depth tour of the Garden of Mitzvot
Optional additions for adult groups:
- Practical terumot and ma’aserot or challah workshop
- Lectures on gardening laws, orlah, kilayim, and modern Israeli agriculture
- Historical lectures on Gush Katif and Kfar Darom
- Aleh Katif insect-free vegetables factory tour and tasting
- ODT (outdoor training) programs related to land-dependent mitzvot or Israeli history
- Walking tours: Old Nitzan (3 hrs), New Nitzan (1½ hrs), or Heroism in the Gaza Envelope (guided tour to Gaza Envelope communities)
FAQ – Visit to the Torah and Land Visitors’ Center, Nitzan (5786 / 2025–26)
Q: How much is admission, and from what age is payment required?
A: Admission is NIS 25 per participant; seniors and soldiers – NIS 20.
Children aged 6 and above require admission payment. For large groups, please contact us for details.
Q: How do we purchase tickets?
A: Tickets are purchased upon arrival at the Visitors’ Center.
Q: Can we come without booking in advance?
A: Unfortunately, not. At times, the center is fully booked for visits or activities even during regular opening hours (9:30 AM to 3:00 PM).
To avoid inconvenience, please arrange your visit in advance.
Q: How do we get there?
A: Waze: “מרכז התורה והארץ”; Google Maps: 4 Khochit Path, Nitzan. Follow the signs from the entrance to Nitzan (do not confuse with the Gush Katif Heritage Center).
Q: Can we buy books on-site?
A: Yes! Our bookstore offers publications by the Torah VeHa'aretz Institute in English and in Hebrew. English books include: The Laws of Orlah for the Backyard, The Consumer's Guide for Shemitah, The Grapevine (a children's book about orlah and neta revay), and The Mitzvot of the Land in a Nutshell (a booklet).
Q: We’ve already visited before — should we come again?
A: Absolutely. Both the Garden of Mitzvot and the Visitors’ Center are rich and diverse — each visit offers new discoveries and experiences.
Q: Which ages and audiences are activities designed for?
A: Activities are suitable for all ages and audiences: families, school groups (grades 1–12), yeshivot, seminaries, adult groups, families visiting from abroad, and Bar/Bat Mitzvah trips.
Q: Is the site accessible?
A: Yes! The entire facility is fully accessible for wheelchairs and strollers and includes an elevator. The Visitors' Center meets all official accessibility standards.
Q: Is there a protected area (bomb shelter) onsite?
A: Yes, there are multiple protected areas within the complex.
Q: Can we buy snacks and drinks there?
A: Yes, there are vending machines for drinks, snacks, and ice cream — all under strict kosher supervision. (Note: the machines are operated by an external provider.)
Q: Can you arrange catering?
A: Yes. We offer mehadrin catering for weekday group visits of 50 or more participants.
Alternatively, you're welcome to order mehadrin catering on your own from nearby Ashdod or Ashkelon (such as pizza, falafel, or shwarma delivery).
Q: Are there special events during the year?
A: The Visitors' Center is open year-round by appointment.
During the summer, we hold a special family day event for English speakers.
We also hold family events twice during Sukkot, Hanukah, and Passover, in partnership with Eshkolot and JNF-KKL. These are general events. The program is in Hebrew, but English speakers receive a kit with a treasure hunt activity and guidebook in English. Registration for these events is through the Eshkolot website.
Q: Is there public transportation to Torah VeHa'aretz Center?
A: Yes. Bus 152 from Ashdod or Ashkelon stops at HaKotzer Blvd. / Morad HaNahal, Nitzan. From there, it’s about a 12-minute walk along the road to Torah VeHa'aretz Institute.
The bus runs once an hour; travel time ≈ 40 minutes from Ashdod or 35 from Ashkelon.
Q: Is the Visitors' Center suitable for English speakers?
A: Absolutely! All films and multimedia displays are available in English (some are in Hebrew with English subtitles), and the Garden of Mitzvot includes an English guidebook. Rabbi Moshe Bloom, head of the English Department, offers guided tours in English for individuals and groups by advance arrangement.
Q: Can special education groups visit?
A: Of course! We warmly welcome groups with special needs (children or adults) and provide full accessibility and tailored experiences.
Q: Can we host a Bar/Bat Mitzvah celebration here?
A: Yes! Families can celebrate Bar/Bat Mitzvah events or Shabbat weekends at our site. The Bar/Bat mitzvah child can have a preparatory visit and then guide their family through the center. We can also arrange a class trip to mark the occasion.
Q: Is the Garden of Mitzvot relevant for those studying Mishnah – Seder Zera'im?
A: Definitely! The Garden brings concepts from Seder Zera'im to life — including havrachah (inarching), grafting, meishar, laws re and more. For these groups, we recommend booking a specialized guided tour with one of the Torah VeHa'aretz Institute's rabbis.
Q: We're a small family and would like a guided tour. Is that possible?
A: Of course! Guided tours are available for families as well. For groups under 20 participants, there's an additional fee for private guidance.
Q: How can we contact you?
A: You can contact us in several ways:
📧 E-mail: nofar@toraland.org.il
📞 Telephone & WhatsApp (9 AM–3 PM): 073-3280027
☎️ Alt. Phone: 08-6847088 ext. 3
🌐 Website: Here