Cavechat.org

In early Feb I plan a pilgrimage to Israel. I will tell if I get to see any caves (probably the one Jesus was born in, maybe the Dead Sea Scrolls cave).

There are a lot of salt caves around the Dead Sea, including the world's "longest" salt cave. Many of the caves around the Dead Sea may be closed due to sensitive artifacts or anthropological remains. Contact the the Israel Cave Explorers Club about caving in Israel, they have a web page.

Jim

Qumran (Dead Sea Scrolls) is a park, easily visited en route to Massada or any of the other Dead Sea area sites. Note that the caves are not the obvious openings straight ahead as you enter the area but are down to the left, if I recall properly. Read the signage.
Ein Gedi is another park in the area (no caves but a beautiful waterfall) worth seeing. If you go with a tour, fine. If you hire a driver, be aware of the political sensibilities in the area.

Do tours in the area routinely offer Qumran and Ein Gedi visits by the way?

Jesus was born in a stable, and slept in a manger. I find it peculiar that you are expecting to find his birth place in a cave.

FreightTrain wrote:Jesus was born in a stable, and slept in a manger. I find it peculiar that you are expecting to find his birth place in a cave.

Seems possible that the stable could have been in a cave. Even though all the pictures we have suggest otherwise.