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The Shrine of the Book was built as a repository for the first seven scrolls discovered at Qumran in 1947. The unique white dome embodies the lids of the jars in which the first scrolls were found. This symbolic building, a kind of sanctuary intended to express profound spiritual meaning, is considered an international landmarkContinue reading “Day 6: The Israel Museum”

Ancient Roman Main Street through the Old City Cardo Maximus, or simply the Cardo, was the main North-South “Boulevard” of Aelia Capetalina, the Roman and Byzantine city that was established in the 2nd C AD. It was a monumental royal road, which was typical of the grand Roman cities. It is emphasized in the Madaba map,Continue reading “Day 6: Roman Cardo”

A Catholic Franciscan church, built in 1924 by donations from many nations (hence one of its names). It is one of the most magnificent churches, located on the east bank of valley Kidron at the foothill of Mount of Olives. The front of the church, facing the temple mount, is covered by a large mosaic picture.Continue reading “Day 5: Garden of Gethsemane”

Mount of Olives is the hill facing the old city of Jerusalem, on the eastern side of Kidron valley.  Its name came from the olive trees that once grew on its hillside from ancient times. According to Jewish tradition, the Messiah will appear here and bring the dead back to life. Therefore, the hillside becameContinue reading “Day 5: Mount of Olives”

The wilderness where Jesus was tempted by Satan 1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stonesContinue reading “Day 5: Wadi Qilt”

A view of desert caves and waterfalls where David, in his exile, encountered Saul Ein Gedi (Kid spring) is located on the western shore of the Dead Sea, and is the largest desert oasis in Israel (1,000 dunams – 250 acres). It is watered by four springs. Its fresh waters made the settlement possible sinceContinue reading “Day 5: Ein Gedi”

The impenetrable fortress where the Jewish Zealots made their stand against Rome. Masada is located on a steep and isolated hill on the edge of the Judean desert mountains, on the shores of the Dead Sea. It was the last and most important fortress of the great Jewish rebellion against Rome (66-73 AD), and oneContinue reading “Day 5: Masada”

1 In the days of Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of Goiim, 2 these kings made war with Bera king of Sodom, Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar). 3 And all these joinedContinue reading “Day 4: Dead Sea”

Refelection: Qumran was really one of our favorite places to visit on the trip. The commitment that the community of Qumran had to the preservation of the Bible was deeply moving. When you are there in the dry dessert, you have an appreciation for the sacrifices that were made in order to protect and preserveContinue reading “Day 4: Qumran”

Tel Beit Shean (Beth She’an) was a major Biblical city, located in the center of crossroads between the Jordan valley and the Jezreel (Yizreel) valley. It later was expanded into a large Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine city of Scythopolis. The large city was leveled by a massive earthquake in the 8th century AD, and wasContinue reading “Day 4: Beth She’an / Scythopolis”