Temple Mount and Gethsemane

Wednesday 6-16 Temple Mount and Garden of Gethsemane

My last trip into the Old city...we go through the Dung Gate (East side of the Old city) to enter the Temple Mount (Mount Moriah), one of the most holy places of Islam and Judaism. To the Jews, this is the location of Solomon's temple (and, they hope, the new temple); to the Muslims, this is the location of Muhammad's ascent into heaven. As we walk the ramp towards the entrance we pass over the Wailing Wall which is the only major portion of the original Jewish Temple. Daily the jews will come here to pray, often stuffing paper with petitions written upon them into the cracks of the stone wall.

When we first enter the Temple Mount we see an old building that was a Christian Church, then Mosque, then Christian and now it again belongs to Islam. To our left we can see the Dome of the rock, a 8-sided (I think) structure topped with a dome of golden tiles. (Kinda like my geodesic dome home--ha!) According to Aaron, the writing along the top of the Dome state over and over again in Arabic "God has no Son".

To the right of the Dome is another, smaller dome structure that marks the center of the world, which I assume is based on the imaginary longitude and latitude lines of the earth. You will see a picture of this structure and then a photo of me standing in its center. Around the back of the Dome is another small structure which is supposed to be the actual location of the almost-offering of Issac which marks where the new Temple of the Jews is supposed to be located. Tradition states that the Muslims will not enter into this open structure for fear of death--the 2 Muslims that did evidently died. We entered and were just fine! I took a picture of the bared rock floor...original rock of Mt. Moriah.

The entire HUGE area is enclosed in walls and each main entrance to the Dome area is decorated with pillared gateways. Opposite the entrance we took is "the Golden Gate" or Mery Gate (I think) which is where the Messiah is to return. Across the street from this gate is the garden of Gethsemane and the Mount of Olives.

The Garden was nice. There is a church there (of course!) with arched ceilings. The exterior corners are decorated with Lion heads--quite nice. the garden has many OLD olive trees and various other plants. While we were inside a group was taking communion. the priest presiding over communion lead the people in the Eucharist song which echoed through the old church. It was quite awesome to hear!

After the church we went into the Jewish quarter of the Old City and visited the shop of an elderly Jewish artist who Aaron knew. I decided to get a portrait done. It was very interesting speaking with this kind man and having him draw a portrait of me. After that it was time to eat (bagel, cream cheese, veges and lox-yum!!) then off to Bethlehem. It was a short day (left Bethlehem at 7am returned at 1pm) but a full day.

Tomorrow evening I go to the airport and take the flight to Philadelphia. Then I need to catch the connecting flight to SFO--after going through customs, getting baggage and checking in prior to the departure scheduled for 2 hrs after I arrive. Do pray that I get the flight!!!

Blessings to all!

Deborah

Qumran and Masada

Tuesday 6-15 Qumram and Masada

In case you are unaware, Qumram is the area in a mountain range near the southern part of the Dead Sea where a Bedouin shepherd threw a stone into a cave, heard the breaking of pottery and subsequently discovered the Dead Sea Scrolls, which included writings of the Old Testament, the Apocrypha and some of the sect's own writings. These scrolls were written by a monastic group known as the Essenes. The Essenes were Jews who were fed up with the evil of the world and left houses, wives and children to live in the desert away from 'civilization'. Their life consisted of many ceremonial washings (in the morning and before meals), hoping to cleanse themselves from sin. they also waited for one, the Son of Light, who was to come before the great and last battle. It is thought that John the Baptist lived among the Essenes for a 2-year period. In their writings there is a John who is mentioned who stayed with the Essenes for 2 years and was beheaded after he left their compound.

One of the most interesting things to me is the ability of these communities to thrive in such an arid environment. The Essenes had an elaborate system of baths, cisterns and irrigation.

From there went further South to Masada. Masada has a long and interesting history beginning with King Herod who built two palaces there with elaborate baths, graineries and stables, elaborate water system and, of course, garrisons. Masada was considered Herod's winter palace.

During the revolt of the Jews against Rome, Masada was conquered (66 AD) and the Jewish rebels took residence there. One of the oldest know synagogues is at the sight (photo of columns, bleacher-type seats and Aaron). Approximated 73 AD the Roman army laid siege on Masada. Masada is located on a mountain that stands 450 meters above the Dead Sea, so the Romans started to build a ramp that went up the mountain to the main gate of Masada. It took them a number of months to build the ramp, then they brought a battering ram up the ramp and proceeded to better the wall and gate and then set the inner wooden walls on fire. Once the Romans were successful in creating an entrance to Masada, they took the battering ram down the ramp and waited until the next morning to advance upon Masada. During the evening the Jewish rebels (960 people) decided that death was more desirable than imprisonment or slavery, so they drew lots that would choose 10 men of their number to slay the others by slitting their throats. The last person, of course, had to also kill himself. This slaughter occurred on the first day of Passover.

Later the Byzantines built a church there. the photos of this church include some floor mosaic, an archway and walls with stones embedded in them.

I was surprised at the size of Masada. From what I could see, it must have been a beautiful settlement at one time. Again, the cisterns were huge and the water system was remarkable. The view of the surrounding countryside was awesome. In the photos of Masada you will often seen a black line painted along the walls. this line demarcates the old ruins from the reconstructed wall.

All in all it was a good, but very tiring, day!

Dead Sea and Jericho

Monday June 14th we went to the Dead Sea in the morning followed by a great BBQ chicken lunch in Jericho.

The Dead Sea is known for its minerals and its high salt content (33.3%) which means that everyone floats! So, in order to fully enjoy the experience I purchased a T-shirt and some shorts and mushed my way to a muddy part of the shore in order to coat myself with the mineral-rich black and somewhat stinky mud. Only my arms and legs were treated to this spa treatment. I then walk in up to my knees at which point I had to just sit down and float! The water was warm with a few cool places and very clear. The area of the Dead Sea we went to was the Northernmost part which does not smell of sulfur and the shore is sandy and rocky rather than salty. Needless to say, there are many beauty products from the dead Sea.

After our 'swim' we went into Jericho for a wonderful BBQ'd chicken lunch at a local Palestinian restaurant. The food was excellent with half a chicken, fries, pita bread and an assortment of salads: various types of hummus, pickled beats and cucumber, hot peppers, cabbage, etc., etc. Yummy! After the meal we wandered into the next-door bakery and purchased goat cheese with honey and something else as a crust(??). It was tasty and you would not know that you were eating cheese unless you were told. I also purchased some baklava and was given a free sample of honey cake. Yummy, they were!

Next was going to a small shopping area by Elijah's spring where we got onto a tram that took to the top of the Mount of Temptation. Built into the side of the mountain is a monastery which I climb up and down the many, many stairs to. It didn't seem to be open, so I walked down and up the stairs back to the shops located in ancient caves. Yup, I made my first purchase of the trip there. Ohhh!

Then, back down to the bottom in the tram. While traveling by tram you will see the ruins of the old city of Jericho. I didn't really get any good pictures of old Jericho, though I can see that it would not take too long to march around it 7 times.

Upon arriving home we watched and movie and I decided to call it a night, being rather pooped!

Mount of Olives

Saturday Aaron and I went into Jerusalem to see the Mount of Olives. Much to my surprise (and joy), I met Kojak the camel. Kojak is a very gentle and obedient camel who graciously turn slightly to his side inviting me to come aboard...which I did with great enthusiasm! Kojak's owner took me along the Mount of Olives and pointed out to Aaron the best shots to take ..."take this one with the whole city in the distance". After my ride we took in more of the scenery, were approached by a young man who showed us the old coins he had found on the side of the mountain below the Jerusalem wall opposite of where we stood. I kept waiting for him to suggest that I purchase a coin or two (widow's mite, Roman coins). He finally came to the sales pitch, which I graciously declined.

Across from the Mt of olives (across the Kitron (?) Valley you will see the Old city of Jerusalem and the temple mount. We then went to the road below the city and faced the Mt of olives. Here, you can see various burial sites and caves that are dug into the rock. among the artifacts are: The Tomb of Zechariah which is a 5x5 square structure with Ionic Columns, crowned with a pyramid. You can also see (on a separate photo) the Pillar of Absalom. This structure is 20m high, has Ionic Columns and is capped by a Doric frieze (conical top). Behind this structure is the cave of Jehoshaphat.

Via Dolorosa

Friday the 11th, we again went to the Old City of Jerusalem. On this day we saw the Pools of Bethesda and walked the "Via Dolorosa", the Way of Grief or The Way of Suffering which is an E to W route through old Jerusalem. This is the way that Jesus would have walked as He went to the cross to shed His blood for the removal of sins for all mankind (for 'without the shedding of blood there can be no forgiveness of sin'). The route begins inside the Lion's Gate. Along this road are the various "stations of the cross"--areas commemorating such events/locations as the place of His imprisonment, beating, falling while bearing the crosspiece, etc. Of course, some of the 'events' are clearly stated in scripture and some are tradition.

When we came to the Garden Tomb we had a wonderful guide, full of the Love for and of the Lord. He gave many insights regarding the process of crucifixion, the Place of the Skull and the tomb. In the early 19th century a Christian organization from Britain purchased a garbage dump in the Old City for 6000 pounds. This area, they thought, could be the location of the garden and Tomb mentioned in the Scriptures. Sure enough, as they started to clear out the garbage they found a tomb and the remains of a garden. The mention of a garden in Biblical times does not necessarily mean a flower garden as we think of today. More likely gardens were groves of olive trees or vineyards. What they found as they cleared out the area was a spring system (which they use today for watering the trees and plants in the new garden) which watered an ancient vineyard. Along with a tomb cut into the rock they found a wine press--all indicative of the land of a wealthy person.

On the other side of the tomb is a rock face that has the appearance of a skull. This rock face is in an area that was a quarry, as suggested by Biblical or historical accounts for the location of the Skull. Also, the Place of the Skull was near the main road. The Romans always crucified their subjects on main thoroughfares so as to instill fear into the people. Victims were not crucified on cross as depicted in most Christian art; they were crucified,no more than about 6 feet off the ground, on trees that lined main roads. This all made me think of the "Tree of Life" that was in the center of the Garden of Eden. Though the people of the time saw crucifixion as one hanging in shame on a tree of death, Jesus' death was for our life.

There are many facts that highly suggest that the tomb located in this garden was the actual resting place of the Lord (for a short time!), though the guide made it very clear that it cannot be proven beyond a shadow of a doubt. After our time at the tomb we had communion at one of the meditative areas in the garden.

Galilee

Wednesday we went to Galilee. Think of it...we were in the area where Jesus performed most of His miracles and did most of His teaching. Obviously there was a reason why this area received Him more readily than any other area and, as one entered into the region one could feel a difference in the spirit. The topography and agriculture of the area is strikingly different from Bethlehem and Jerusalem areas. Basically, Galilee is rather beautiful! After going down into the desert (1000 feet BELOW sea level--the lowest land area on earth), passing the Dead Sea we come into Galilee--groves of bananas, citrus, date palms. The Jordan river flows through the area bringing much needed water for irrigation and life.

The first church we visited (picture of olive tree in square and peacock mosaic) is supposed to be on the site that is traditionally the place where Jesus multiplied the bread and fishes to feed the 5000. The locations of these sites are determined by the information given in scriptures, ancient tradition and, of course, existence of ruins.

Another stop we made was where Jesus met with the disciples after His resurrection and asked Peter three times, "Do you love Me?" This church, by the Sea of Galilee (actually a lake) was rather small and was built around a large rock which tradition states is the rock where Jesus cooked the fish for the disciples and told Peter to 'feed my lambs'.

I took this opportunity to cool off my feet in the Galilee and take a handful of rocks and whatever ...

We stopped by and inspected the ruins of the old city of Capernium.

Next stop was church that was situated on a hill overlooking a valley and down into the Sea of Galilee. This is the site where Jesus spoke the "Sermon on the Mount". the church and grounds are rather beautiful. Following this we went for lunch, where I had "st. Peter's Fish". An excellent white-meat fish, grilled to perfection--very moist and yummy.

After the meal some of us swam in the Galilee (nope, didn't bring required swim gear) and then we heading to a place on the Jordan River where you can get your robe and use the waters for baptism. It was all good. A tiring day but a good one!

On the way home we stopped at a rest stop where the local Bedouin had some tents for trading items, lots of snacks. good espresso, ice cream, etc. Next to the souvenir tent were 2 camels waiting for their masters to finish their day and go home.

Caesarea

Ahhhhhh. Sunday was a trip to the beach area of Caesarea (Stratos Tower, Herod's manmade port). Beautiful weather, beautiful water, interesting ruins (hippodrom where they used to have chariot races) and a theater with a seating capacity of 3500. According to Josephus, this is where the death of Herod Agrippa occurred, as recounted in Acts 12.

All very interesting and, if you use your imagination, you can see the immense vision of Herod in building this. Romans baths laid with artistic tile, remains of temples, etc.

Lunch was great. I've found some yummy cookies--shortbread-type with rich dark chocolate topping. Almost as good as Sheryl's pies!!!!

Love ya all!!