Tag Archives: Jerusalem

Israel Trip, Day 11

Western (Wailing) Wall

Western (Wailing) Wall


No, the trip report isn’t over; I’m just falling behind. Let me tell you what we did on Day 11, back in June.

This day was spent in Jerusalem. It was an overwhelming day, as we saw much more than we could really take in.

We went first to the Old City, walking what is known as the Via Dolorosa or the Via Crucis. These are the traditional “stations of the cross,” the places where it’s believed that Jesus walked on his way to the cross.

These pitchers in our hotel are for handwashing; two handles so that you can switch and not defile the hand you already washed

These pitchers in our hotel are for handwashing; two handles so that you can switch and not defile the hand you already washed

Street in the Old City

Street in the Old City

Via Dolorosa


We finished up at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The building includes what is believed by many to be Golgotha, the site of the crucifixion, as well as the site of Jesus’ burial. On our trip, we saw many places where it was obvious that tourism was down. However, that wasn’t true in Jerusalem, especially at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The place was packed, and it wasn’t easy to get around to see the different sites.

Church of the Holy Sepulchre

Church of the Holy Sepulchre

Traditional site of Jesus' burial

Traditional site of Jesus’ burial

I’ve included a picture of the ladder that I wrote about on Heartlight a few weeks ago. That ladder is a symbol of the division that exists, not just in Christianity, but in the care of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The fighting between the orders represented there is so great that none of the Christians keeps the key to the building; it’s overseen by a Moslem.

The Immovable Ladder

The Immovable Ladder

I hate to write so little about such important places, but as I said, it’s really all to overwhelming. Plus many have written much more eloquently about the Via Dolorosa than what I could do. I’m admittedly skeptical about some of the traditions, but it was still moving to be in the area where Jesus spent the last few hours before his crucifixion.


From there we went to the Tower of David museum. We were supposed to go there on Friday evening, but they close early for the Sabbath, and we arrived too late.

Tower of David museum

Tower of David museum


Next stop was the Western Wall of the Temple, also known as the Wailing Wall. This was part of the base of Herod’s Temple, the temple itself having been destroyed by the Romans.

Western (Wailing) Wall

Western (Wailing) Wall

There is a mosque built on the temple mount, commemorating the place where Abraham offered Isaac; it’s called the Dome of the Rock. That’s the famous golden dome you see in the Jerusalem skyline. Because it was the time of Ramadan, no non-Muslims were allowed up there.

Western (Wailing) Wall

Western (Wailing) Wall

The Western Wall was a moving place. It was especially interesting to see the bar mitzvahs going on; there were lots on the day we were there. Big celebrations with singing and dancing; kids throw candy at one another. Much of our group was distressed by the fact that men and women are separated at the Wailing Wall; this meant the women had to watch the ceremony from across a partition. Let’s just say that there wasn’t a lot of cultural sensitivity in our group upon seeing that.

Women watching bar mitzvahs

Women watching bar mitzvahs

It’s very telling to me that there’s one part of the wall where men and women do celebrate together; they had to create that space for American Jews. Yes, it’s evident that our culture has a particular hang-up over gender issues.

Showing the length of one of the stones from Herod's temple construction

Showing the length of one of the stones from Herod’s temple construction


We next went to the southern steps of the temple. This is quite possibly the site where Peter preached on Pentecost. Down below are dozens of mikvehs, ritual baptismal pools. Plenty of room to baptize thousands of people.

Southern steps of the temple

Southern steps of the temple

A mikveh (baptismal pool) at the temple

A mikveh (baptismal pool) at the temple


We then went to Hezekiah’s tunnel, the passageway King Hezekiah created to provide a reliable supply of water for the city, even during times of siege. It’s fascinating to walk through these dark, wet tunnels. We came out at a pool called the Pool of Siloach. We went through the tunnel just behind a group of school girls; a couple of them panicked and refused to go through. I was sorry they missed it and hope they get to go back sometime.

Hezekiah's tunnel

Hezekiah’s tunnel

Hezekiah's tunnel

Hezekiah’s tunnel

Hezekiah's tunnel

Hezekiah’s tunnel

Notice how high the water came on me… and I'm not short!

Notice how high the water came on me… and I’m not short!

Tony among the schoolgirls at the Shiloach Pool

Tony among the schoolgirls at the Shiloach Pool

Shiloach Pool

Israel Trip, Day 9

Wadi David

Wadi David

We’re coming up on 3 months from when we made the trip, and I’m still working on this travelogue. We left the Dead Sea and traveled to the beautiful Wadi David, also known as En Gedi. This is one of the areas where David hid while fleeing from Saul. It’s a beautiful oasis with lots of caves, an ideal place of refuge. The waterfalls and freshwater pools are quite lovely.Israel Day 9 - 008

Waterfall at Wadi David

Waterfall at Wadi David

Waterfall at Wadi David

Waterfall at Wadi David

Collecting water at Wadi David; water was our favorite souvenir

Collecting water at Wadi David; water was our favorite souvenir

After seeing the large number of caves, it’s easier to see how God’s hand was involved when Saul chose to relieve himself in the very cave where David was hiding.

Caves at Wadi David

Caves at Wadi David

Caves at Wadi David

Caves at Wadi David

There were many hydrax, and we saw a few ibex up on the cliffs. We also got to examine some acacia trees; they were important in biblical times both for their wood and for the “wild honey” produced by their sap.

Hyrax (rock badger)

Hyrax (rock badger)

Hyrax sunning himself

Hyrax sunning himself

Acacia tree

Acacia tree

Ibex on the hilltop

Ibex on the hilltop

We then went to Qumran, in the area where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. We learned about the community there at Qumran and saw some of the ruins.

Cave at Qumran

Cave at Qumran

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Marker pointing to cave where some scrolls were found

We traveled to Jerusalem with the intention of visiting the Citadel of David. However, the museum had closed early due to the Sabbath. Instead, we traveled to Bethlehem, visiting the Church of the Nativity.This is one of the sites identified as Jesus’ birthplace; they have marked the traditional location as well as a nearby manger.

Jerusalem

Jerusalem

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Traditional site of Jesus' birth

Traditional site of Jesus’ birth

Manger

Manger

As we were entering the church, a Greek Orthodox funeral procession was leaving. They walk through the streets carrying the body before proceeding to the cemetery.

Greek Orthodox funeral procession

Greek Orthodox funeral procession

St. Jerome, translator of the Latin Vulgate. He did his work in Bethlehem.

St. Jerome, translator of the Latin Vulgate. He did his work in Bethlehem.

We also visited a souvenir shop run by Palestinian Christians. That’s the main way that Christians support themselves in Bethlehem. When Israel closes access to the city, it’s devastating for the Christian population.

Souvenir shop in Bethlem. The owner is a grandson one of the men who received the Dead Sea Scrolls from the Bedouins

Souvenir shop in Bethlem. The owner is a grandson of one of the men who received the Dead Sea Scrolls from the Bedouins