Language:
שפה נוכחית
Tours & Visits
Join us for a fascinating guided tour of the Library’s new and breathtaking building. Discover its unique architecture and learn about its fascinating history. Get a glimpse into the impressive Reading Halls, observe the cutting-edge Automated Stacks in action, and encounter inspiring works of art. At the heart of your visit lies the permanent exhibition, “A Treasury of Words”. Come face-to-face with centuries-old manuscripts, including a handwritten commentary by Maimonides, a Bible from the Middle Ages and a richly illustrated Haggadah, in addition to Muslim and Christian sacred texts. Gain a deeper understanding of the power of words and their influence on our history and culture.
Tour duration: approximately 90 minutes
You can also join a guided tour in Russian, Spanish or French.
We invite you to wander among the exhibition installations and encounter the Library's treasures at your own pace and on your own schedule. The independent entry ticket includes admission to our video display and the permanent "A Treasury of Words" exhibition.
Join us for an in-depth tour of the new exhibition "The Quest of Questions: Unlocking the Secrets of the Universe".
Explore ancient manuscripts, philosophical works, and historical and scientific documents—including original writings by Isaac Newton—as we trace humanity’s quest to understand the mysteries of existence across cultures, religions, and centuries.
Does not include admission to the permanent exhibition, A Treasury of Words.
Join a guided children’s tour at the National Library of Israel!
Come discover the Library’s secrets and get to know this remarkable place up close. Together we’ll wander the halls, solve puzzles, explore big ideas, admire the building’s unique architecture, enjoy stunning works of art, and uncover a magical world of books and stories.
Each child receives a special personal activity kit - “A Library Experience” - to help them explore the Library through their own eyes.
Please note:
The tour is suitable for children who can read (ages 5-11).
Tickets are required for all participants over age 3. Adults also require a ticket.
Come discover the architectural ideas behind the most beautiful structure in Jerusalem. The architects Herzog and de Meuron and Mann Shinar strove to construct a building representing the essence and values of the Library. Between grandeur and modesty, innovation and preservation of the past, stability and movement – the Library building maintains a dialogue between contrasts, inviting us all to listen. During the tour we will discover the ideas behind the structure, marvel at its design elements, and observe the artworks that have been placed within its walls.
For more information contact [email protected] or call *5049
Discover the profound connection between faith, Scripture, and the Land of Israel at the National Library. Walk among centuries-old bibles, beautifully preserved manuscripts of the Hebrew Scriptures, and encounter historical maps and texts that reflect how religious thinkers throughout history envisioned the Holy Land. Discover how the preservation of these texts has influenced faith around the world.
This tour goes beyond books, inviting an experience of the living heritage of the Bible in the places where it all began..
For more information contact [email protected] or call *5049
A Tour of Journeys
Get yourself a knapsack and a book, and join us on a journey through pages of text and history! Come hear the story of the National Library of Israel’s 130-year journey, marvel at rare books that have moved between continents, discover writings which made the rounds among Jewish communities, and trace the paths these ancient texts travelled before reaching us. This is a fascinating journey following in the wake of individuals, communities, and nations – and the written treasures they carried with them. Want to come along?
For more information contact [email protected] or call *5049
Sustainability Tour
It may look white – but our building is green! On this unique tour, we’ll show how the National Library of Israel’s new residence received a platinum ranking (the highest possible ranking) for green building from the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification program. We’ll examine the building from all angles. Deep underground, we’ll observe the building’s “ecological air conditioner” and talk about sustainable development. In the reading halls, we’ll take in the sunlight and examine ways to deal with solar radiation. In the Library gardens, we’ll enjoy local flora and discuss saving water and energy. This is sustainability like you’ve never seen it before!
For more information contact [email protected] or call *5049
Special Tour for Students and Scholars
Students? Researchers? Librarians? Come broaden your horizons at the leading research library in Israel!
During this professional, experiential tour, you will observe dozens of unique and rare items, while visiting the reading halls and discovering the Library collections that are relevant to your own field of knowledge. The visit can be combined with meetings with librarians, researchers, and content experts, who will share explanations about our unique work processes. For students, we recommend combining the tour with a bibliographic guidance session dedicated to the Library’s digital resources. We’ll be happy to equip you with a variety of means to locate quality, original materials which will help you in the academic world.
For more information contact [email protected] or call *5049
A unique tour that traces the heritage of the Jews of Spain from the Rambam and the Zohar to Ladino poetry, told via the National Library collections. How did this community succeed in preserving its culture for hundreds of years in a changing world? How did encounters with Christianity and Islam affect the Jews of Spain? We will traverse eras and encounter historical personages by learning about the creativity and achievements of this vibrant Jewish world.
* The tour includes a short introduction to the building's architecture, an audio-visual presentation, and visit to the Library's exhibition spaces
The Sephardic Heritage Tour is made possible thanks to the generous donation of the Samis Foundation, located in Seattle, Washington, USA, and dedicated to the memory of Samuel Israel.
For more information contact [email protected] or call *5049