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!