Reish Lakish, one of the great Amoraim of Eretz Yisrael (3rd century CE) expressed his opinion that if the Garden of Eden is located within Eretz Yisrael, its entrance is Beit She’an. Reish Lakish’s reasoning is the fact that Beit She’an is a very fertile area. Rashi comments that Beit She’an produces the sweetest fruit grown in the Land of Israel. [Gemara Bavli, Mesechet Eruvin 19a]
Beit She’an is an important archeological site, whose major features include: a theater (used for drama and comedy performances), an amphitheater (used for gladiatorial combat), the largest ancient bath house uncovered in Israel and the remains of the main streets, dating to the Roman and Byzantine periods.
