Since pretty much everyone in the kibbutz program had been to Jerusalem, they opted out of the day trip, but Jeremy and I went since I had never been. It was awesome to have a small group of us with our own tour guide and to experience my first time in Jerusalem with Jeremy.
We started at a promenade that overlooks Jerusalem. We were standing in land Jordan occupied, pre-1967. In 1967, Israel was at war with Egypt and Syria (The Six Day War) and Israel told Jordan to stay out of it. Israel held Jerusalem and Jordan attacked Jerusalem as an ally of Egypt, and at Egypt's demand. Israel defensively held Jerusalem, took back the Old City (which contains the holiest site for Judaism, the Western Wall, which Jews had not been allowed to access for the past 19 years) and took the nearby land that was occupied by Jordan, in order to hault Jordan's attacks. This is how Israel gained control of the West Bank (it's called such because it's the West Bank of Jordan, but no one calls it the West Bank here in Israel). Many refer to it as Judea and Samaria since that is what the Israelites called this land was called in ancient times. Israel signed a peace agreement with Jordan in 1994, so it seems that Jordan doesn't really care about the land that they lost. As a side note, Israel signed a peace agreement with Egypt in 1979.
This is a large scale model of the Second Temple at the Israel Museum, which we actually didn't visit until returning to Jerusalem. I want to show you this so you can see the arch! You can see on the left-hand side, the Southwestern corner, a stairway which leads up to a bridge with an arch under it.
Here's a close up of the arch. I didn't really realize it at the time, but in the video below I first show the ancient mikveh (ritual bath) and then I show the Western Wall which has a large chunk of rock on it - that's the remnants of the arch from the Second Temple period! Sebaba (slang for cool)!
We started at a promenade that overlooks Jerusalem. We were standing in land Jordan occupied, pre-1967. In 1967, Israel was at war with Egypt and Syria (The Six Day War) and Israel told Jordan to stay out of it. Israel held Jerusalem and Jordan attacked Jerusalem as an ally of Egypt, and at Egypt's demand. Israel defensively held Jerusalem, took back the Old City (which contains the holiest site for Judaism, the Western Wall, which Jews had not been allowed to access for the past 19 years) and took the nearby land that was occupied by Jordan, in order to hault Jordan's attacks. This is how Israel gained control of the West Bank (it's called such because it's the West Bank of Jordan, but no one calls it the West Bank here in Israel). Many refer to it as Judea and Samaria since that is what the Israelites called this land was called in ancient times. Israel signed a peace agreement with Jordan in 1994, so it seems that Jordan doesn't really care about the land that they lost. As a side note, Israel signed a peace agreement with Egypt in 1979.
In the center, you can see the golden dome of the rock, which sits atop the Temple Mount. South of the Temple Mount is the ancient city of King David, which was just prior to the First Temple being built by his son, Solomon. To the right of the Temple Mount is a valley and on the other side of the valley is the hill where the Mt. of Olives cemetery is built on the hillside. I believe the communities on the far right edge of the picture are mostly Arab communities and further right, outside of the picture, are the Palestinian territories which Israel currently administers.
Not the greatest action shot of us, but we can say we were in Jordan pre-1967, so that's kind of cool.
As you enter the Old City via Jaffa Gate, you'll find this restaurant! We had breakfast there one morning, just to say that we've been to my restaurant!
The Jewish Quarter of the Old City. Behind Jeremy is the newly reconstructed, beautiful Hurva synagogue. You can see a mosque to the right of the synagogue, which was probably built pre-1948.
Getting close!
My first time visiting the Kotel; a small portion of the Western retaining wall of the Temple Mount, where once the First and Second Temples stood. Words cannot describe the feelings being here evokes. The historic significance and impact this place has, not to mention the great importance it has to the Jewish people.... it's indescribable.
Here I am approaching the wall. I was very emotional, very deeply moved. This moment was so special and I cherish sharing it with Jeremy.
I said the Shema and I slipped a piece of paper with my own personal prayer into a crack in the wall.
Jeremy on the men's side.
The Kotel has separate areas for men and women to pray. Some say men and women should be able to pray together. Some say that the women's side should be equal size to the men's side. Some say that prayer is for the individual and the opposite sex will only pose a distraction. But, most will say that we are blessed to be here at the Kotel.
Afterwards, we went to the Davidson Center, an archaeological museum literally built at the Southwestern corner of the temple mount.
This is a large scale model of the Second Temple at the Israel Museum, which we actually didn't visit until returning to Jerusalem. I want to show you this so you can see the arch! You can see on the left-hand side, the Southwestern corner, a stairway which leads up to a bridge with an arch under it.
Here's a close up of the arch. I didn't really realize it at the time, but in the video below I first show the ancient mikveh (ritual bath) and then I show the Western Wall which has a large chunk of rock on it - that's the remnants of the arch from the Second Temple period! Sebaba (slang for cool)!
Our guide took us to the beautiful Austrian Hospice in the Muslim Quarter, where there's an excellent view of the Old City from the roof. Afterwards, we ate some delicious hummus and foul, which is similar to hummus, but it's made with fava beans. My favorites are hummus mixed with tehina or hummus mixed with foul. We've also become fond of labneh, which is kind of like sour cream or Greek yogurt, except it probably has a way higher fat percentage. Cottage cheese from the grocery store here is usually 5% or 3% and even milk is 3%, though they do have low fat options for milk, yogurt, etc. Sorry, I got way off topic, back to the panoramic view of the Old City.
We walked along the Via Dolorosa and explored the Christian Quarter.
We visited the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, which is believed to have been built atop the hill of Golgotha. Here, beneath a shrine, people bend down and reach into the earth and touch the rock. It is believed that this is where the cross was erected that Jesus was crucified on.
This relatively new mosaic depicts the Jewish tradition of cleaning and accompanying Jesus' body after death.
This stone, which I believe was a gift in the 1800's, was placed in the place where it is believed Jesus' body was cleaned and prepared for burial. It is believed that any item placed upon the stone becomes holy. We saw people placing all kinds of things on it, like water bottles, sunblock, and makeup.
Looking up into one of the domes in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher.
It is believed that this marks the center of the Christian world.
Next to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher is an Ethiopian Church. It is believed that when the Queen of Sheba visited King Solomon, she returned to Africa pregnant. Thus, the Ethiopian Jews are descendants of the Kingdom of David.
What an amazing trip - my first time visiting Jerusalem! Our guide was excellent and gave us the history and stories about the different groups of people that live in this fascinating city!
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