Biriya

Location: Upper Galilee

Area: Some 20,000 dunams (5,000 acres of 200 ha.)

Unique features: The forest grows 900 meters above sea level.

Sites: Biriya Fortress, Warrior's Path, Rabbi Yonatan Ben-Uziel's Tomb, Ein Zeitim Recreation Area, Nevuriya Ruins, Bat Yaar Stables.

The Biriya Forests were planted mainly during the Thirties and Fifties, when Keren Kayemet Le`Israel - Jewish National Fund (KKL-JNF) provided jobs to unemployed new immigrants who planted trees to help green the country's barren hills.
The Biriya forest is mostly planted with Jerusalem pine but, for diversity, KKL-JNF has planted Brutia and Canary pines and Atlantic cedars as well. Galilee?s natural vegetation flourishes in open spaces and among the trees: Spanish Broom, Thorny Broom, Rockrose, Hawthorn bush and seasonal flowers. The greenery of KKL-JNF-afforested upper hillslopes boldly contrasts with the stubby natural brush covering the lower slopes.
Following harsh snowstorms which took place in the winter of 1991-92, thousands of damaged trees had to be replanted in the Biriya forest.
In the past, Biriya was a major Torah study center. Embedded in the Biriya Forests are the remains of Jewish settlements dating back to the time of the Mishnah and the Talmud, where six of our most famous Jewish sages lived and worked. Here Rabbi Yosef Caro completed the first of the four sections of the Shulhan Aruhk in 1555.
In the past, Biriya was a major Torah study center. Embedded in the Biriya Forests are the remains of Jewish settlements dating back to the time of the Mishnah and the Talmud, where six of our most famous Jewish sages lived and worked. Here Rabbi Yosef Caro completed the first of the four sections of the Shulhan Aruhk in 1555.
Excursionists will find a wealth of activities in the Biriya Forests: lookout points,hiking trails, visits to places of religious and historical interest as well as to recreation areas equipped with family picnic facilities.

KKL-JNF has built in the forest many recreation areas equipped with picnic tables, water, children's playgrounds and sports facilities. Special tables designed for the use of the disabled have b een installed in the forest as well. Parking bays and easy to use access paths have been built by these tables. In addition, KKL-JNF has established a fire observation tower in the forest.Visitors to the Lahav Forest may explore the many, archaeological sites which were discovered in its area. The attractions included in these archaeological sites prove that they were inhabited from the Bronze era until the time of the Second Temple.The Joe Allon Center for Bedouin studies is located at the east end of the Lahav Forest.

Biriya was founded in January 1945 (the time of the British "White Paper" restrictions) on Keren Kayemeth Le-Israel - Jewish National Fund (KKL-JNF) prepared land.
It was one of three outpost Galilee settlements, referred to as "castles," established by the religious division (Bnei Akiva) of the Palmah and Hagannah army corps. The soldier-settlers, who built the Biriya stone fortress which includes a tower and walled courtyard, were employed by KKL-JNF in forestry work, digging tree wells and planting saplings.
In February 1946, the British discovered in the fortress an arms "cache" belonging to the Palmah; they seized the fortress, captured 32 members of the group and sentenced them to the Acre prison on charges of illegal arms possession.
Some weeks later, on the 11th of Adar, the day when Tel Hai was first established, 3000 people loaded with equipment and personal possessions, established Biriya Bet (i.e,`the second Biriya`). This operation was nicknamed "The One-Armed Operation" after Joseph Trumpeldor.
The startled British authorities waited until the crowd had dispersed, set fire to the new settlement, demolished its buildings and imprisoned its defenders. As soon as the news broke Hundreds of people from all over Eretz Israel rushed to Biriya to start rebuilding the destroyed site for the third time. Faced with such Jewish determination, the British Army retreated, allowing the settlers to remain.

After Israel's War of Independence, a new immigrants? moshav was established at Biriya.

At present, the Biriya Fortress functions as a museum which is open to the public on weekdays (Sun-Thur) from 8:00 AM until 3:00 PM.

Next to the museum, KKL-JNF has built a fire observation tower which also serves as a lookout point affording a panoramic view of the northern Galilee, the Golan Heights and Mount Hermon. The regional office of KKL-JNF's Afforestation Department is located on the Biriya Fortress grounds.