The Biblical Museum of Natural History
The Biblical Museum of Natural History
The Biblical Museum of Natural History
4.8
About
The Biblical Museum of Natural History is a unique institution that is part zoo, part natural history museum, and part Torah education center. It showcases the mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and insects of Scripture, as well as related zoological topics from the Talmud. The large species are exhibited as taxidermy specimens, while live exhibits are maintained for smaller species, and there are also a large number of biological artifacts of religious significance. Visits are conducted via guided tours, which include hands-on experiences! Through the exciting and interactive tour, visitors learn the identities and symbolism of the animals of Scripture, lessons in Jewish values, law and history, and the natural history of Biblical Israel.
Duration: 1-2 hours
Meets animal welfare guidelines
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.8
55 reviews
Excellent
43
Very good
12
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Allison S
1 contribution
Feb 2025 • Family
My family and I had a great time! Half the experience is about Biblical animals and fish and half is a petting zoo and hands on experience with the biblical animals such as birds, reptiles and snakes. Staff was very friendly and helpful and all ages enjoyed!
Written 2 February 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
yitz_1
Fort Lee, NJ118 contributions
Jul 2021
I visited the museum several years ago. They're in a new, much larger space, and I took my grandchildren there again. It was a wonderful visit for children of all ages. There was a lecture, which was well done. (You could choose to schedule it in either Hebrew or English.) The best part was seeing the exhibits and live animals. They allow you to touch and hold all kinds of creatures. It's not very crowded because only one group goes through at a time and there are lots of friendly staff to supervise and help.
It's great on a hot or rainy day, because it's all indoors and air conditioned. You need to schedule before. some slots fill up quickly.
It's great on a hot or rainy day, because it's all indoors and air conditioned. You need to schedule before. some slots fill up quickly.
Written 27 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jessmess
26 contributions
Jan 2025 • Friends
Being well versed in both biology and Tanach, I thought I would not find new things to learn, but the tour was both enjoyable and educational. The kids on the tour loved the live animals and the friendly staff allowed us to get up-close and personal with most of the animals. Really a wonderful tour! Highly recommend for all ages.
Written 1 January 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Redbaron
Beit Shemesh, Israel24 contributions
Nov 2019
This is a "mixed bag", that is part zoo, part natural history museum, and part Torah education center. It showcases the mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and insects of Scripture, as well as related zoological topics from the Talmud. The large species are exhibited as taxidermy specimens, while live exhibits are maintained for smaller species, and there are also a large number of biological artifacts of religious significance. Visits are conducted via guided tours, which include hands-on experiences! The tour is exciting and interactive , we all learned the identities and symbolism of the animals of Scripture, lessons in Jewish values, law and history, and the natural history of Biblical Israel.
Written 26 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
robodocny
Cedarhurst, NY452 contributions
Jan 2023 • Family
We were last here when the museum was very young. It was great then and is better now
Our group ranged in age from 9-74 All will visit again. Everyone left smiling.
Rabbi Slifkin’s warm personality was
evident throughout the tour We saw live animals and stuffed images. Everything comes with an explanation The highlight was the hands on exhibit of live animals
Words don’t do this experience justice
Our group ranged in age from 9-74 All will visit again. Everyone left smiling.
Rabbi Slifkin’s warm personality was
evident throughout the tour We saw live animals and stuffed images. Everything comes with an explanation The highlight was the hands on exhibit of live animals
Words don’t do this experience justice
Written 22 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I visited this place🇺🇸🇬🇧🇫🇷🇳🇱🇨🇭
Israel38 432 contributions
Apr 2024 • Family
PROS
* Unique different museum about animals- flora and fauna- of he Holy Land and the Bible
* Interesting design and interesting building
* Nice variety of stuffed animals and explanations with Biblical History and Scriptural verses
* Many ritual ram's horns for use on the Awful Days, as well as display of horns of other creatures
* The second section has live interactive animals that one can pet, touch and hold (under staff supervision)
* The director and founder is an enthusiastic British rabbi and his major book about animals of the Bible is available on sale
* Guided tours in Hebrew or English
* Unique building in not popular or populated area allows easy access and street parking
CONS
* Access is only through guided tour that they provide, and that's often crowded and loud and noisy (little children) and therefore hard to hear
* Access to the place only by car- no buses go near it
* Parking on the site of the building is limited, narrow and congested
"I VISITED THIS PLACE"...
... because I tool the five and three year olds- they enjoyed it and got to touch and hold live animal creatures such as gigantic turtles, hares and snakes. They did not touch the tarantula.
WAS IT WORTH THE COST?
Fifty shekels or so- I went in order to take the children
WOULD "I VISIT THIS PLACE" AGAIN?
Only in order to take other young children
ADVICE
* Worthwhile to bring the children: OK and interesting for adults
* Know that it is only via guided tour by museum staff, and it can be hard to hear because of the size of the group and number of families and little children
FULL DISCLOSURE
"I visited this place" with the plan to write a "helpful" review and to attach "helpful" photos here on tripadvisor, so if these did "help" you, please indicate that by tikking the "thumbs up" 👍 symbol. Thanks.
* Unique different museum about animals- flora and fauna- of he Holy Land and the Bible
* Interesting design and interesting building
* Nice variety of stuffed animals and explanations with Biblical History and Scriptural verses
* Many ritual ram's horns for use on the Awful Days, as well as display of horns of other creatures
* The second section has live interactive animals that one can pet, touch and hold (under staff supervision)
* The director and founder is an enthusiastic British rabbi and his major book about animals of the Bible is available on sale
* Guided tours in Hebrew or English
* Unique building in not popular or populated area allows easy access and street parking
CONS
* Access is only through guided tour that they provide, and that's often crowded and loud and noisy (little children) and therefore hard to hear
* Access to the place only by car- no buses go near it
* Parking on the site of the building is limited, narrow and congested
"I VISITED THIS PLACE"...
... because I tool the five and three year olds- they enjoyed it and got to touch and hold live animal creatures such as gigantic turtles, hares and snakes. They did not touch the tarantula.
WAS IT WORTH THE COST?
Fifty shekels or so- I went in order to take the children
WOULD "I VISIT THIS PLACE" AGAIN?
Only in order to take other young children
ADVICE
* Worthwhile to bring the children: OK and interesting for adults
* Know that it is only via guided tour by museum staff, and it can be hard to hear because of the size of the group and number of families and little children
FULL DISCLOSURE
"I visited this place" with the plan to write a "helpful" review and to attach "helpful" photos here on tripadvisor, so if these did "help" you, please indicate that by tikking the "thumbs up" 👍 symbol. Thanks.
Written 20 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
robodocny
Cedarhurst, NY452 contributions
Jan 2015 • Family
This museum is an exhibit of live and stuffed animals from biblical times. The introductory film and Rabbi Slifkin's live presentation and tour of the site brought it all to life.
The focus of the museum is to properly interpret the names of the biblical animals, and also to let one relate to them to better understand the biblical world.
Our group ranged from age to to the late 80s. All loved the time spent there. In particular, the pre-teens and teens loved holding the animals (under careful supervision), the adults loved watching the children interact with the animals, and all learned quite a bit.
The museum is new and is in the industrial section of Beit Shemesh. As a result, it is still relatively unknown- so get exact directions before going there.
The focus of the museum is to properly interpret the names of the biblical animals, and also to let one relate to them to better understand the biblical world.
Our group ranged from age to to the late 80s. All loved the time spent there. In particular, the pre-teens and teens loved holding the animals (under careful supervision), the adults loved watching the children interact with the animals, and all learned quite a bit.
The museum is new and is in the industrial section of Beit Shemesh. As a result, it is still relatively unknown- so get exact directions before going there.
Written 8 February 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
yuditfrei
Beit Shemesh, Israel23 contributions
Oct 2016 • Family
We visited the museum with adults, teenagers and kids. Parents spent a lot of time running after toddlers, but kids from 4 up were captivated. Cute petting zoo outside. Guided tour (in English) with Rabbi Dr Natan Slifkin himself explaining about different animals, insects and birds that are native to the Land of Israel and feature in the Torah and Mishnah. Lots of shells, skulls, eggs etc to touch and then some furry animals and some reptiles, including a great family photo holding a giant snake. Tour lasts about an hour and a half and is very informative and interactive. Everyone enjoyed blowing all the different shofars at the end. Great outing for families and adults.
Written 18 October 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
eli b
Beit Shemesh, Israel10 contributions
Nov 2015 • Family
Rabbi Dr Slifkin really knows his stuff form every angle and has set up an incredible museum to wow both kids and adults alike!
Written 26 July 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TheMom54
Beit Shemesh, Israel3 contributions
Dec 2016 • Family
By far one of the most fun educational experiences ever! We learned oodles of information while having a fascinating time. I looked around and was pleased to see that it wasn't only me with my mouth hanging open and eyes popping. Rabbi Slifkin has accomplished a dream with this museum, and I look forward to seeing it expand. Already I understand there have been additions to the collections, and I anticipate bringing visiting family for a return visit for us. Truly something for everyone, people of every age will take away something from the experience. This place ROCKS!
Written 15 August 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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