Christian Sites - Then Post Second Temple Stuffs

Christian Jerusalem

We first went to a Franciscan church which had a nativity set up on the left as we first entered. It was a nice place with different colored marbles pillars. Of course like all Catholic or related branches it had the 14 stations of  the cross on the sides (These). Our professor pointed out that the 1st of the 4 advent candles had been lit that previous Sunday (one candle for each Sunday till Christmas). An unconfirmed thing was said that Orson Hyde stayed at the hostel which is a part of this church. I asked a professor what was meant by a symbol I had scene at several of the churches we've been to. Turns out it was the Franciscan Crossed arm symbol - The Franciscans being the appointed Custodians of the Holy Land. So that was cool.

Next was a pretty cool experience actually. Mind you these are all within the Old City walls. All locations I'd walked by many times. This site was in a random door which I know I'd never thought to go inside. Our group went up and inside a small simple one room church. A Syrian women explained the long tradition she and many Syrian Christians have of holding to Aramaic the language which Christ likely spoke during his life. She sang the Lords prayer in Aramaic to us - it was amazing. This church had a downstairs room which was supposed to be the upper room of the last supper.

We went to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre A sight I have been to on my own twice before we came here as a group. Though I did understand a bit more about the church from the guided tour. This church is built around where there used to be tombs and where there used to be a Rock thought to be Golgotha. Both are still there but they are substantially covered up by the church itself you see. The tomb where Christ is said to have laid was cut around and exposed so that it was more like a tomb room - then a grand church built around it (within the larger building). So it's hard to picture that there were tombs here etc. but I got a little more of a sense that its actually as likely as a spot for his crucifixion and burial as any other place. I just wish whoever built it had retained more of the actual layout rather than what they did. A different church we also went to preserves the remains of the gate which apparently is the one Christ may have gone through if we accept the Holy Sepulchre as the place of his burial.

Then finally for this day we went to a church to sing some hymns. There was a sweet garden area that was very lovely.

The next day we had the sweet experience of going to the Orson Hyde park and consecrating some oil for the healing of the sick. I learned that not just Orson but many apostles and prophets have been at that very spot. Very interesting stuff. Also I read part of the prayer that Orson had originally prayed there as recorded in a letter back to the Saints who were not yet in Utah.

Then Post Second Temple Stuffs

This happens to be our last full day field trip. Our first stop was Masada where a sect of Jews, the Sicarii - nasty bunch, during the Revolts took up their last stand and in a final battle with the Romans ultimately lost a horrible loss of the Romans breaking through their wall (which was thought impossible). This causes illogically those Jews to commit suicide rather than to become the slaves of those Romans. Apparently there is a movie of this battle and apparently it's a big deal but I sadly had not seen it. This entire city is on a plateau and that is why it was thought to be impenetrable. We went up to it not through the hike but instead took a gondala all the way up. Mine was the first group through and so at the top and around a corner we all pretended to be dead trying to imitate the scene the Romans must have seen coming and and finding all of these Jews dead. We went to Herod's palace at this location and it had some beautiful vistas. though there was really hardly anything left of the palace. I happened to see a byzantine church there and it was a pretty cool site.


Next was a wonderful experience in the dead sea. Listen it has more than salt in that water. In Madaba there is a ancient mosaic depicting happy fish near the Sea of Galilee but then a sad fish swimming away from the Dead Sea - perhaps a better name for the Sea would be the Sea of Death. Anyways I had a time using no effort to stay afloat. Sometimes I would freak out and think I needed to tread water for some reason but I totally didn't need to. You see you float no matter if you want to or not you can situate your body straight up and you will not sink - no movement necessary. It's hard to imagine. I look at the pictures I have of our group there and they're smiling for the picture and all. Truth is though they all are in absolute terror of getting the slightest bit of water in their eyes or mouth or anything else. Because the water literally hurts you if you do get it any of these places. I never would have associated the water in these pictures with pain before this experience. Anyway... if you're ever around the dead sea I would definitely recommend you take a dip. It was interesting for all its lack of enjoyableness. Haha

Next we went to a Nature preserve named En Gedi which was cool. it had lots of small waterfalls - I saw some Ibex and some more rock bunnies. There was this awesome waterfall at the end - super cool. But there on the left are some caves said to be the caves in which one of them Saul was hiding from david and had his skirt cut by him.

Finally we stopped at Qumran - an awesome site because of it's view of one of the caves where some of the scrolls were found. There was a short video at the beginning which mainly raised then shot down but left the argument opened about that John the Baptist might be associated with these Essennes. It's just a theory really and I don't know if it's true at all but to each their own. We saw where they copied tons of scripture and where they ate in total sacred silence. Also there were many mivkots all throughout that area so they could ritually purify themselves. Pretty awesome if you ask me. That was that. Have a good one ~

A String of Jewish Sites

We went to a Synagogue during one of their Friday night services to welcome in the Sabbath. The men and women were separate with a veil dividing them. In the middle was their prayer leader who had a shawl. It was mostly the Congregation singing or speaking portions of their prayer book some of which was directly from the Torah (like the shema). Sometimes all stood and once we turned and faced the other direction - though I can't remember the significance of that at the moment. There was a short sermon given in hebrew about the color red and during it I picked out the words Thanksgiving and America. Anyway that was pretty cool.

On Saturday we observed Sabbath - which of course is an exception for this area. I went out to the Old City and just walked the streets this afternoon. And I talked to my family this night after a fireside given by Elder Larry S. Kacher. Loved it!

The next day we went on a tour first through the Wohl Museum which is in the Jewish Quarter. It shows 3 nice ruins of homes during the 2nd temple period. These excavations are inside the Old City and also present pottery from that time period. Next was the Burnt House which was altogether similar to the Wohl Museum. It presented a movie of the period of destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans. It showed that Jerusalem was destroyed and sieged in parts.

Next we went through the Jerusalem Archaeological Park which is a massive archaeological dig on the other side of the western wall on the corner. I saw the mikvahs that travelers would use to ritually purify themselves before going toward the temple as well as steps leading up to two points of entry on the southern side. I had already walked the bottom portion of this flight of stairs during the Hezekiah's tunnel tour. But we were there at the top where a closed three arch gate was visible as well as a visible corner of another gate series. Well there was also some ruins of Byzantine dwellings nearby as well as ruins of an Umayyad Palace. But more interesting to me of course were the unearthed entire plaza sections which were there during the time of Christ. It's certain that Christ - his diciples - and Paul walked on these plaza stones. Amazing - truly.

Afterward we were not picked up I went with a group to shop around. I went on the light rail out a couple stops. Asia Rikard insisted I try a Jelly Filled donut and I am glad I did the man even let us make some of the donuts ourselves.

Next was a Free Day ☺!!! Katherine Redd organized a trip to Tel Aviv which was awesome. We went around Jaffa and saw a tree in an egg suspended in the air. Also in Jaffa I saw a Egyptian gate which I have no idea why it was there! We went to the beach between Jaffa and Tel Aviv and went to our knees in the sea. We threw around a frisbee and Cameron McCord made a really impressive arched sand castle. We were walking through some shops and some people bought souvenirs. Further into Tel Aviv we stopped at a restaurant and I had Chicken Schnitzel which was awesome but I tried the other dishes - their being: Risotto; Spinach Ravioli; & white sauce spaghetti. So delicious! We saw the plaza overlooking the beach in Tel Aviv and were basically picked up there. Man that was Fun!

And just today we had the Kotel Tunnel tour. Were we went to the Western Wall and then proceeded north under the Muslim quarter but along the wall of the Temple mount. We saw a section of Robison's arch also saw a filled in arch which used to lead to a Jewish Synagogue under the Temple mount. There were prayer rolls in these Herodian walls just like at the Temple mount. The Romans of course destroyed the temple and threw off the wall stones on the plaza and road below. The most northern section actually had to be dug out so that the temple mount would be flat therefore the bedrock actually came up to where we were eventually. And we exited at a part of the old city I had passed probably a dozen times! Haha. Anyway it was way fun - Have a good one!

Paradise

I hope all these quick site descriptions are helpful to have you picture the sites yourselves. On this day we began with Mt. Tabor the traditional site of the Transfiguration - a wonderful site with a large church on top. There is a triple dome at the very back of the basilica with Jesus in the middle. As you go forward there are stairs down to a mosaic room containing symbolic representations of Christ. At the opposing side of the Church there are also Domes to commemorate Moses and Elijah who appeared on the mount. Of course this shows Jesus as the thing to which the Law and the Prophets pointed towards. There was a monastery set apart which we did not go to. There were also ruins of many shrines there from past times. 

Directly after this a priest from this Chapel took us to the Church at Nain commemorating the raising of a widows only son at Nain found in Luke 7. The Chapel was simple but there were two large stirring painting of the miracle. Outside was unkept  but the priest informed us that the same monastery had recently been granted permission to construct a garden there. Near this chapel was a mosque with many Muslims outside whom we found out were having a funeral procession. That and Bro Huntsman's stirring personal stories and testimony concerning death brought this relatively short literary miracle to a forefront in my mind. Really its a very important miracle to show Christ's ultimate power over death. 

Next was Megiddo a good tel. This city used to overlook all of the valley of Jezreel and as such was an important hold for any period to maintain. They showed us the Canaanite worship areas. Some of the pictures of their figurines showing their ritual worship were cool. There was an interesting model which showed not only what was visible nowadays but also what was torn away to get to what is now visible. The name of the site in hebrew is Har Meggido where we get our Armageddon (Greek). So many battles occurred here that in Revelations (16:16) it is referred to as the site of the final battle. The reference therefore may be more typological. (This site is also reference in Zech 12 & Joel 3). To finish out this site we walked through and out of the water system. Which had lights coming out the handrails. 

Gan Ha-Shelosha - This is simply a "warm spring" site. It was raining here - which made it fun. As I did not have my swim suit I simply waded up to my knees. 

Upper Galilee 

These sites basically lie North of the Sea of Galilee. It was a beautiful day filled with walks through the forests there. It was all so green. And with Nazareth so close and really with many events relating to Jesus happening in this area - I couldn't help draw a connection with the beautiful scenery with the Gardens in Galilee being yet another Garden which our Lord could be associated with. 

The first site on this day was Hazor which was considered the head of the Canaanite tribes of the time. I got to walk through the ruins of the palace structure of the "upper Hazor" complex where the ruler Jabin likely walked. It is said that perhaps the Israelite utter destruction of the Canaanites were not so complete. However with Hazor Josh 11:11 explicitly states that it was burned to the ground. Which makes sense as I learned that palace used to have magnificent wooden flooring. Later after Isrealite conquest it was left largely unoccupied till Solomon had others build it up as a fortress to guard the north. As such there was a Solomonic gate (6 chambered) there which we could walk through. That being said really we can tell much of what is actually original and what is simply built up by the archeologists to give a better picture by a line of cement on the ruin/wall. So for instance the original wall may have been about calf height and archaeologists put it to thigh height. So it is intimately clear when there is a large wall that much of it is really original - I find that rather cool. Also at this site was a large hole which you can step down into by a series of steel stairs. It was a cistern structure. 

The next site was Dan and man was that cool. We walked through part of a trail of a National Forest to get there. We were walking along stones where it seemed nearly that water was literally coming up from between the stones to form a stream which fed into a larger stream. Brother Huntsman talked here about the Living Water imagery that Christ uses with the woman of the well. Not that there aren't beautiful places and gardens in Jerusalem but I saw in Galilee here that there are real forests and waterfalls. That Christ likely walked through these places always is a motivating factor for me to heighten my senses and try to remember every moment of my experience here. We came to Dan's high place which I got the feeling was just the sacred part of the city. The Northern Kingdom or Israel set up two altars when they broke away from Judah, one in Dan and one in Beth-El. They erected bulls (likely a more acceptable symbol relating to God than we can perceive in this modern age) there which they eventually worshiped in idolatry. Anyway so we saw where the altar used to be as well as where their temple complex was. Near this site were trenches from battles - when they were built and to what specific purpose I've no idea. A short trek down a path and we saw the Mud Gate which dates back to Abraham's time. Likely it's the closest site I'll come to relating to Abraham as he very likely walked through it when it was still Canaanite land and a huge city. This arch was not accessible for us to go up to but I could sense it's magnificence. A short walk from that site and we saw the Israelite city walls and gate. 


Next we went to Caesarea Philippi The site of Matthew 16:16  where Peter Declares his belief of Jesus as the Son of God. It was dominated by a rock cliff which is iconic of the whole Petros - Petra wordplay Jesus uses in His response to Peter. There is actually here cut into the rock and ruins to boot around there Temples and sacred structures of a Roman persuasion. There is a Temple to Pan there and to Nemesis.


Next was "Nimrod's Castle" a ruin castle built over a crusader castle. The ruin now is a Muslim castle. Anyway the main reason we went there it seemed was the beautiful vistas. I will never forget it. Truly it was beautiful. And overlooked many green valleys. Directly after this we stopped our bus during our trek and saw a view of Syria. And during this night we had a bonfire on the beach of the Sea of Galilee.

West of Galilee 

Our first site this day we saw in the hills - Chorazin which is a site that is not specifically allotted to a miracle and so undesignated miracles could have taken place here. It is specifically mentioned in Matt 11:21 as a woed city. There was a synagogue there from the new testament times and a remnant of "Moses' Seat" some sort of special seat in the synagogue.


The next site was Sepphoris where we first viewed a mosiac depicting the Jewish religion right beside the zodiac and other Hellenistic influences. There is the famous "Mona Lisa" of Sepphoris a mosaic piece which depicts an unnamed woman. As it is during Christs time with this site only 4 miles away it's possible while growing up he frequented this city. Also this is where the Jewish Mishna was written down.


Finally we stopped at Acco a Port city to the Mediterranean Sea. It was a city before the Crusaders but during that period it was named Acre and really became quite a stronghold for them. We saw their cafeteria area as well as a great port structure. We saw catacombs and tombstones. And went on a walk through the market there. 


That night we had a fireside devotional and bearing of testimonies


The Last day in the Galilee area was marked first by our packing up and leaving the site we were staying at for the duration of our time there. We then went to a graveyard near Haifa where two LDS missionaries are buried - they were both called to serve in Israel and both served in a German colony of Christians. There was a story presented to us of a miracle vision leading to a conversion here. Amazing - really amazing. 


We went to the top of Mt Carmel where or very near where Elijah had his confrontation with Baal. Some of the students acted out the account in 1 Kings 18 - we went to the chapel there and sang some hymns then went up to the overlook which gave a grand view of the Jezreel Valley. And Brother Huntsman pointed out the stream where Elijah is said to have personally slain the priests of Baal. 


The final site we went to is likely where Paul appealed to Caesar after being held for 2 years. This site is Caesarea - a port city which had a great Greco-Roman influence. As the Temple was Herod the Great's effort to impress the Jews the build up of Caesarea was meant to impress his Roman associates. So there was a small theater here. I walked and saw the palace structure which i saw had mosaic flooring. These things were on the beach front so I went to the water a bit. The beach was mostly sand but had a strip of mostly shell fragments. There was a hippodrome there and there really were some great views. There were ruins also of living quarters both from crusader and New testament time frames. It seemed to also be simply a pleasant shop area and many students bought some ice cream there.


So we got back into the bus and took off for the Jerusalem Center. When we arrived it was full of Christmas decorations and we had the Thanksgiving meal right there, which of course was a great feast. Man that was great! Love ya~

Some hikes around Jesus Land

Here I will series several days events:

Gamla - Actually a supposed site of Gamla as it seems that is somewhat is in dispute. But if it is Gamla then it features closely with the Jewish historian Josephus. As it was he who helped construct such an impressive defensive position with two walls to protect their city set on a hill (it's ruins are beautiful). However he was in a neighboring village when the Romans overtook it and was captured. And Gamla fell not long after that. It is suspected that Josephus gave the Romans information to help them in their conquest - as he is favored in Roman society and given citizenship. He then become a historian and writes much about the history of all Israel. -- Featured at the site is a synagogue which is cool as Jesus may have taught there in his teaching in the synagogues all around the area. This city is set on a hill and is not too far from where the Sermon on the Mount discourse was given - so perhaps it is the very city the Lord was referring to in Matt 5:14. There was an choice to see the ruins OR seeing a waterfall. I opted to try and see both and though I made it to both sites it was too foggy to see the site of the waterfall.  

Qazrin Village - Before entering this site we watched a video which illustrated the Mishna by sharing one of its stories. The Mishna is the written oral torah which was passed down orally through the ages definitely during Christs time (by Pharisees) and claims to be from God's whispering in Moses' ear and informing him not to write it but instead to transmit it orally. Though what it held when finally written down included stories of many varieties and sometimes presents conflicting stories rather than resolving ones. Like the one presented in the story was of a Rabbi talking to his disaffected heretic Rabbi and still learning from him. Presenting the idea that one can learn from anywhere - but seriously the video was way cheesy. 


     As for the actual Village the site was from the 4th century I think and had actually been partly restructured. So they had made the rooms back up and filled them as if they were still in use. Anyway that was that.

Golan hike with Eric Maltzman - This was the next day. Eric was a tour guide and was a pretty good and safe instructor and hiker. He led us through a National forest and brought us to the Black Waterfall (featuring Basalt stone) and Then to the White Waterfall (featuring Limestone). All very picturesque - loved it and there were some great views. 


Today was Sabbath (Saturday) so we celebrated church in a members home which had a large open window overlooking the Sea of Galilee. Really great service. I thoroughly enjoyed it. 


Love ya! 

A day filled with things of Jesus

Alright lots of cool stuff has happened. We had a boat ride across Sea of Galilee which began with 3 songs of Gospel music which was fun. We stopped the boat in the middle and our teacher gave us a discourse on Jesus' walking on the water (which showed not only that he had power over the elements but also gave reference to the creation as he created order out of chaos). We sang Master the Tempest is Raging which didn't really fit the scene as it was perfectly sunny and calm (with little to no waves) - I suppose it did fit the geographical location (obviously haha). 


Next was the "Nof Ginosar Ancient Boat" - We watched a video there about it which was very interesting as a marine archaeology success story. They were concerned with this revealed boat that it would disintegrate if it was allowed to dry. Finally after digging it out they surrounded it with fiber glass type stuff allowing it to take one last trek into the Sea of Galilee. They then soaked this boat in a particular type of wax so that it would be okay. One note about it is that it's potentially old enough to be from the time of christ - it's made out of a plethora of different types of wood. Anyways it's a big deal.  


Mt. of Beatitudes was next which had at it's top a Octagonal church which was convenient as there are 8 beattitudes but really an octagonal church is a type historical architecture which means that it is a memorial  church to commemorate a sacred site. It's a wonderful church with stained glass holding in greek the beattitudes. We sang some hymns to set the scene and then Brother Huntsman gave a short lecture allowing us afterward a reflective session - which I used to read the entire sermon on the mount and the recitation to the Nephites in 3 Nephi. The gardens were beautiful and green. 


Tabgha - In this location lies The Church of the Multiplication of the Loaves and the Fishes where an iconic mosaic lies. I remember the windows to this church were full panel but shaded with a cool tan splotchy type of glass. I think it's pretty obvious what this church commemorates

St. Peter’s Primacy - This was on the beachfront and had been identified as a site related to the feeding of the apostles after the resurrection (where Peter jumps into the water and swims to the Lord) and after ward asks Peter "Do you love me? then feed my sheep". There's a "Table of the Lord" there which is supposed to be where they Lord laid out his meal for the apostles. 


Next was Capernaum the city ruins. As we entered we first went to the remains of the synagogue where various levels were visible but not accessible. Showing where Jesus may have taught during his life near the time of  his healing of Peters mother in law (also in Capernaum). They have a place in the city ruins (which your really can't enter) where they have designated an very early Christian meeting place. Like historically they are sure the time frame of this room coordinates with the time Peter was alive (actually he was a successful fisher/ business man). So venerated was this site that an octagonal church was built there - however this was destroyed. Now there is a suspended octagonal church above the city ruins and directly above the ruins of this room where it is highly suspected that the early chirstians met here and that possibly it could be Peter's Home.


Kursi is an archaeological site made of the black basalt stone which is definitely more prevalent in this area. This church was to commemorate the place where Legion went into a herd of swine and ran into the sea. This was the final site of the day and we were all ready to be finished after such a long day. We walked up the steep hill a bit and looked out to see the sea was likely very much closer to the cliff base we were at - no one guesses exactly where this event took place - but that it was near here it is clear. 


All that was yesterday 


So Today was just lecture doing a good part of Mark and beginning Matthew - I'm learning a lot and really like the familiarity I am gaining with the gospels so far. I have gained an deeper understanding and connection with their separate records - If I put my mind to it I'm sure I will nail this information into a part of my being so I'll never forget it. 


In the evening we went out by bus to a fish restaurant where we were served St. Peter's Galilean fish (the supposed very variety of fish which held the coin miraculously). I had Fish and Spaghetti there as well as the ice cream they provided - it was all good. We then went to the city Tiberius where we just walked around the shops and all - it was fairly late so it was about half closed down. And we saw ruins of 1 of 8 synagogues in the area. 


Yeah that's what happened  

The Galilee Begins

Now! My trip through the Jerusalem lands continue! On to The Galilee -- 

This is exciting for me because I know Jesus spent a lot of his time here - and I know I'll gain further insights not only into that time period but those surrounding it. 

Our first stop was to Bet Shean a large city which begins the "Patriarchs Way" (or the series of cities along a prominent trade route) from the North. It has had several very different names. For instance it is the same as the Decapolis city Scythopolis (during that time the city moved away from what is now the Tel there {which itself covers the Canaanite period and many occupations in between} and built around it creating a grand city). This was the first city which used basalt stone for building - meaning many stones were of a black color. And in the theater here there were pink colored pillars which I was told came from Egypt which is awesome because this is very far North and must have taken the pillars quite a while to get to their destination. This city presents the best preserved Bath house (it has gymnasium influence in its architecture) - the ground beneath the hot room was pumped with hot water and hot air to allow shafts at the sides emit steam and shafts in the middle with no opening to the top to heat the floor. So that was interesting. We saw all the natural things to see in a Greco-Roman city like a main cardo (north/south) and decumanus (east/west) running streets etc. We ran to the top of the Tel (real Bet Shean) and had a great viewpoint of the city below and to the north saw the remains of a grand bridge which spanned a valley. The events that occurred here seem from the gruesome account that Saul and his sons bodies were hung here on the walls for a time (1 Sam 31). Though this route was immensely well traveled in Jesus' time so it's possible that Jesus walked through here and certainly some of the apostles did. 

Next was Nazareth which of course was a extremely small town at the time of Jesus' living there after the Egyptian refuge. The first stop here was the Church of Annunication which is a recently built church really. We started at the basement section from which you can see some of the original church in a middle circular section. Down in there some priest led a congregations proceedings - they prayed and recited latin. We went up to the second floor (which had in the same location a viewing circular hole downwards). There was a great dome on top and mosaics from many countries there - I spotted USA's, Canada's, Chile's, 3 from Spain - but couldn't find any from Peru (all the areas of my brother's & father's missions). Next in Nazareth came St. Joseph’s Church - which featured Joseph the Carpenters workshop in a grotto below. Though really we couldn't see much of the grotto - more visible is the remains of the church built on top of it (with a basin) - on top of which the current church sits. The interesting things I learned here was that the word "Carpenter" could have as easily been translated as "craftsman" so really and especially in such a small town as Nazareth Joseph was most likely a man of many trades. Some suggest Joseph was also a stone mason. Also that a figure in history  Eusebius calls out Jude's (the step brother of Jesus) grandchildren but discounts their testimony as lunatic as they speak of a spiritual kingdom not a temporal one (so they were not killed). Finally in Nazareth was the Synagogue church - built over the traditional spot of Jesus' reciting scripture in Luke 4:16-22. That accounts retains a good representation of a normal scripture reading practice of that time. We sang there some hymns and one line particularly struck me Hymn 117 Come Unto Jesus where it said "Oh know you not that Angels are near you" - I just love that. 

Finally was more of an outlook point than anything else in the form of Mt. Arbel Where you climb a slight hill until you reach a cliff face. The Trek up is marked by large stones all around you although in between these stones you can see dark green grass visible. Apparently during some periods of history this location with it's natural caves in the middle of the cliff faces. Soldiers or warriors would hide out in the caves - one clever assaulter built cranes and lowered parts of his army in large crates down to do battle with those in the caves. Anyways we got a good viewpoint where we were able to see Tiberias and Safed (Tiberias was one of the cities to which the rabbis fled after being expelled from Jerusalem and its locals - Safed is where Jewish Mysticism flourished in the 16th Century). And we saw from a distance a good number of the sites I will see in Galilee.

And finally we arrived at Ein Gev where our residence seems really good. It's 4 to a room and there are like 6 beds. We are on the beach of the enclosed sea of Galilee and so far I feel like the food will be pretty good. We'll be doing some pretty intensive classwork here as well as our field trips so - Wish Me Luck! 

Brother Harpers Old Testament Class

Well I've recently finished the Old Testament section and will be getting into New Testament like a man on fire these upcoming days so I thought this would be a good time to reference you to my google doc of all my essays which I prepared for his class. This will give you an insight to the types of things I learned in Harpers class

Enjoy!

The Holocaust and Heroism

Wow, just wow. I've been to the Holocaust museum here in West Jerusalem named Yad Vashem (taken from Isa 56:5 KJV "a place and a name" - so referenced as the custom goes childless Jew couples would build buildings to bring their own name into a state of remembrance - so these 6 million Jew dead receive this museum as a remembrance). Upon our first entering our Judaism instructor Ophir Yarden pointed out the many carob trees at the entrance (the carob traditionally being a sweet remembrance). These are for the "Avenue of the Righteous" and each tree is dedicated to an individual or a family who risked their lives in order to save the Jews (there are some thousands of trees). He pointed out that any Jew going through would be reminded that though there were many atrocities which the Gentile inflicted on them there are these righteous examples (highlighted in the museum is not only German and surrounded conquered countries Holocaust actions but also how foreign countries refused to accept the immigrants who were trying to get out before and during the Holocaust). We first came to a plaza which illustrated well the theme of the day and that is Heroism and the Holocaust. Relief 1 and Relief 2 Two statues displayed the opposing reactions to the Holocaust events. Relief 1 shows an Heroic image of the ghetto fighters - those who saw the signs did not believe the illusions and fought and tried to convince others to do the same (this group is an minority). Relief 2 shows dejected Jews following orders and numbly praying to God (a note I made was that this group was holding the Torah and the other was not). This brings to my mind a deep question of national identity complex - are we Heroes or are we that other group (whom the ghetto fighters said were going like sheep to the slaughter). Just before the 67 war (6 day war) much Holocaust imagery was written. People saying for instance that I've been told to be heroic like the ghetto fighters but I'm not sure I will measure up. Also, for example the Israeli Olympic athletes being killed by the group Black September - it was reported that none of the athletes fought back (This was viewed as that second group behavior).


Our first stop was to the Hall of Remembrance where they usually take dignitaries of foreign lands - there is an eternal flame lit there next to a tomb like stone as well as names of the extermination camps (a note is that the Holocaust did not occur, both geographically or chronologically, in the State of Israel - so in bringing foreign dignities here Israel is declaring its Jewish ties and implies they speak for the Jews of all Nations). On the opposing wall is a steel hebrew letter quote of Isaiah 56:5. 


Next was the Memorial for the Children. As you enter there is darkness - I had to grab a iron rod and continue forward. There are candles in the center of a circular walkway. Glass panels and mirrors elegantly constructed shroud where these candles exactly are and mirrors on the tops and bottoms give the imagery which seems to me to be the stars in the sky. And in English are read the names of those children killed in the Holocaust. Upon exiting it is explained that a teacher in a ghetto planted a tree against Nazi regulations (because that Jewish holiday called for planting trees). So in this modern day it is realized and being acted upon that planting trees and education as well as protecting children all are extreme Heroic acts (a shaft of that same tree is planted there on the path as you exit the Memorial). 


Now for the more traditional Museum section - this section should be taken with a six hour self tour for maximum intake - we had two hours. I will try no exhaustive essay on the subject I learned here - there is too much. There were some 9 sections in the museum - some focused on ghetto life another on Hitler and Nazi actions against Jews throughout different sections of history. Things I learned were that in West countries it was more focused on extreme limiting of Jews in a legal sense (and the deportation of many Jews to the East), and that in the East is were the ghettos were set up as well as where the extermination camps were. I learned that those in ghettos would sometimes be asked to "Resettle" to "Work Camps". In the museum there were signs similar to the ones over those work camps which basically read Work brings freedom. Up until the very last moments these Jews might have been under the impression that they were actually working in Labor camps for the Nazi war machine - these Jews were killed. There were many variations to the theme but the degree to which the Nazi's wanted all Jews dead was never fully realized by me till now. One could say the last acts the SS and Nazis were committing was an outright killing of as many Jews as they could. Logistics for the bodies were presented at length. I tended to listen to survivors testimonies which were on the television screen - most tended to say how they didn't understand that their nationalism to their country meant nothing to that country. One survivor was smiling while describing it all - the internment camps - ghetto life and living of the holidays under quite grim circumstances - he said "many ask me that, how I can smile, I tell them that smiling saves me. Because if it were not for that I would be crying endlessly". Those ghetto fighters staged a number of revolutions against the Nazis one of the largest was in Warsaw. I can hardly say more - if I think of anything unique to the general obvious theme I will edit this page to add it. 


Next to the peak of Mt Herzl


4 Questions now:
David moved an item to a mountain in order to improve the spiritual centrality of the new capital
Who is David?
What is the item?
What mountain?
How did it improve the centrality?


There are two answers and this displays well the Orthodox Jew (left) vs Zionist (right) ideology:

King David (Biblical) - David Ben Gurion (1st Prime Minister of Israel)

Ark of the Covenant - Theodor Herzl's body 

Mount Moriah (Temple mount) - Mt Herzl (where there is a large plaza and ceremonies held)

Most sacred object to the capital - Theodor Herzl is Zionisms originator 

You see Herzl did not much care for Jerusalem in truth - he considered it full of religious peoples who were not altogether with him in his dream. So when trying to follow his will there was a great debate about where it should be laid (he requested it be moved to the State of Israel when it was created). The final argument went that it would improve the spirituality of the State of Israel. To what spirit? one could ask - Herzl cared very little about the religious segment of Jewish life. It was presented to us there is a battle between two mountains Mount Herzl and Mount Moriah. 


The Zionists (who equate themselves as Heroics - and with the Maccabees ) are secular. Their versions of songs for the Hanukkah display this perfectly - It is Israel doing the miracles (Not God) - There was no jug of oil provided by God to the Maccabees and it is Zionism lighting the darkness (a tradition was that this jug lasted for 8 days rather than 1 in the temple by Gods power - which actually is the basis for the Hanukkah holiday) etc. The Orthodox have their versions for Hanukkah which include God of course, but these are examples from the most popular songs of the Hanukkah holiday. We went up to Herzls grave which is the head of a great plaza. There is a ceremony for Hanukkah performed on top of this mount where the speaker for the Knesset lights the Hanukkahs and on the first time this was done the newspapers reported that the lights emanated as it was in old from Jerusalem to the mountains and hilltops throughout Israel (But it was Moriah not Herzl mount from which the lights emanated of old). Also on top the mountain is a hill of cedar trees each planted by a foreign dignitary visiting the new state of Israel - this ceremony is now next to never performed and in it's stead is laying wreaths at the aforementioned Hall of Remembrance. 


/end that day


Today's activities are worth mentioning - I went out with a group to see what we could see. We walked along the Ottoman wall of the Old City but turned right at nearly the first chance into what I thought was mostly a shopping district. To my surprise there was a festival going on (we saw another festival later) I'm not entirely sure what it was commemorating. There was a Ferris wheel and horse rides (as well as a mechanical bull, roller coaster, and bouncy house at the other place). Anyways these young kids gathered around us and were good natured at first - it was pretty fun really. I was teaching them fun hand shakes to do. I took a short walk over to the ferris wheel to look at it. The rest of the group stayed back there basically and after a short bit I realized they were gone and one member Taylor Crane was talking with those who had just led him on a horse ride. Unable to pay them the amount they wanted I was there to bail him out and get out of there as well. When it was revealed to me the things I had missed - I did not get to see how things escalated to the harassment of the girls of the group (shocking to me). That's why we opted not to go into the second festival we saw in the old city. The old city was flooded with kids and they seemed to be taking a lot of pictures (there were 2 guys with snakes to take pictures with). Then we went to Jimmy's a woodshop owner and saw some of the pieces there very cool. Well have a good one! 

Shepherd's field!

This period marks my transition from Old Testament Study to New Testament Study. As such our first field trip was to Bethlehem and came with a new professor in Brother Huntsman (whose blog I'm sure will feature more pictures including me). This field trip began with a trip to the Herodian a fortress tower near Bethlehem. We ascended to the top through Cisterns cut from its first usage as well as during the Bar Kokhba revolt (against rome). It's possible that this is the site that Herod met with the wise men (perhaps Nabotean Zorianastranists). From the highest point you can see Jerusalem, the dead sea, and Bethlehem. I learned at the time that Herod killed the children in an attempt to kill Christ it is suspected he killed perhaps 20 children. At the Herodian was found the defaced tomb of Herod (it was destroyed in large measure by Jews some time after his death). The structure itself is circular with four additional towers intermixed at four places lying on the edge of the circle. The center had rooms for dining (which later was a synagog) and Herod's residence among other structures.

Next we stopped at the Bethlehem University - as we approached students were playing basketball. We were shown a video highlighting some of the history of the place and were shown the catholic brother's chapel inside as well much of the campus. Very nice atmosphere I thought - it was a nice campus. It's curriculum as I heard is very much like our college system. We had lunch in a tent restaraunt which served as an appetizer as all places seem to - hot pita bread with many many dippings.

Next was the actual Bethlehem tour. During this excursion we met up with an the former palestinian teacher who lead us in a rather quick tour of the city including Star St (the Star is the symbol of choice for this town). We entered a plaza where you could see the Omar Mosque (palm trees adorned the front as their belief matches Jesus' birth near a palm tree) as well as the longest continuously running church in existence the "Church of the Nativity" So named as it was local tradition that Jesus was born in a cave right there even before the church was built in 327 AD (with some earlier writers hinting at the type of place it would be even before that). To be honest before I came here I was filled with confusion as to where and what exactly the circumstances would be as to Christs birth. I had heard there were some supposed 3 sites claiming to be the place - and believe me I am the first to put into my mind the question as to really whether all these 'traditional' places really are the places. Nevertheless I think it a excellent possibility - nigh unto convincing - that this cave was the place (Bro Huntsman pointed out that inn could be translated as guest house - and that Joseph was then at his own or a relatives house - the cave then was for privacy). Also at the site were graves supposed to be for the children Herod killed. And this was the site of a very early translator of the bible, St Jerome, who lived in the cave while translating in order to be closer to the Lord. We sang hymns in that section of the cave. I rather enjoyed going this way in to the greater part of the cave (there is a Pilgrimage destination in the Grotto Star which was pointed out by the Catholics to be the place of Christs actual birth)


The next and final section of our tour was a trip to a semi rock hillside which is near and very much like the  shepherd's hillside when they heard the angels announced the birth of Christ. We sang perhaps 7 hymns of Christmas and then had some contemplative time. I stood there and took in the scene. There was a valley right in front of us, the ground was about 40 % visible rock, there were buildings on the other side of the valley probably a city, to our right Bethlehem, and at the base of the valley to our left another village. I could see three towers with green lights emanating from the top - a Muslim belief has green as the color of heaven. A half moon clearly visible and the stars were speckled - I bet during the shepherd's day the stars were much more brilliant. Oh yeah and during our singing a herd of sheep lead by an Arab on a donkey flocked by - Oh how fitting.


Well I hope you had a good read - Love ya!

Alright, Alright

I know many of you are wondering what I did for Haloween,

The answer begins, on Oct 30, with a groups failed attempt to go to the Tower of David museum (we were 8 minutes late). Oh well no matter I'll try another day. The group split away and was left with Andrew Zenger, Jeff Nuckols, Taylor Crane, and myself - we all agreed we wanted to go to a pizza place and then to the acclaimed "Ghost Tour" (spooky right?) Well we got there and we took some pictures of some pretty epic costumes featuring the provided lanterns for the tour (2 ghosts, a mummy, and myself). I mainly was excited for the historical backing of all these true stories. [[graphic stories follow]] The first story told that many occupants of the city were buried in stone graves too short so to compensate they would be buried without heads (an then an expanded story of a lost head of a dead architect whose head was sent to England for examination). Next was an further explanation of the  "Valley of Hell" which I already knew was used to burn trash all the time and was typo-logical of Hell. But I learned from this man who must have said the word 'blood' like maybe 15 times during the 2 hours we had- that the valley was also used to sacrifice children to a strange God. Also that the same french fellow who tight roped walked 8 times between the two towers went only once across a cable which runs over the "Valley of Hell" (which cable was used during a war to transport supplies). Next explained a bit of history during the period when the walls of the city enclosed quite a bit of the populous, a set of buildings were built near it and promised to be protected but the people would not leave the city not even for a free living space - eventually they were paid to live there but they would still run to the Jerusalem city walls during the night to feel safe. Next was a general retelling of how much of paranoid person Herod was and a retelling of much of his killings near his family tomb (not his own tomb). Next a story about a Scottish man during some period of crusades or some such. He requested at his death that his heart be taken to Jerusalem and buried there however it was lost and buried instead in Scotland over much bloodshed.

On Halloween itself we were graced to watch the silent movie Phantom of the Opera while Pres Ohman played the organ to accompany (as organs should be played to silent movies). It was more different from our modern Phantom than I thought it would - kindof makes me want to read the book or the original story to see the true story. I dressed as a tourist for my costume. That there was basically the climax there were also treats and a dance. Enjoyable? Yes.

(Several days ago I walked down the Ultra Orthodox lane which is outside the old city. There was a sign saying "Girls please do not dress immodestly in our neighbor hood". There were plenty of lock laden black hat wearing men there. Pretty cool to see)

Jordan! Hoorah Hooray!

I've spent 4 glorious days in Jordan which I very much enjoyed. The trip was awesome and our guide excellent. On the Bus the trip through the border happened without event or delay. Our first stop was to Mount Nebo. Our guide instructed well that this is only a possible site of the mount. There were many "pillars" there commemorating the event of Moses' looking onto the promised land but not entering it (a statue of a rod with a snake around it, a monastery, a large Italian piece of art, and a stone memorial of Moses). Many Christians believe Moses died and was buried there or nearby, I learned Muslims believe Moses did die but that his body was taken up into heaven so that was interesting. From the viewpoint there Muhammed showed through the mild hase how a green streak in the distance is the River Jordan and so beyond that was the promised land. On the same day we saw the Madaba Mosaic Map it is in a chapel however the frequent earthquakes have destroyed much of it. That's actually a common theme that an earthquake has damaged all or part of a ruin site. The Map here has a view of Jordan, Jerusalem, and Egypt. The pictures of the prominent cities are quite exact giving the best idea of Jerusalem's streets and buildings of the Byzantine period (Also it has helped find the locations of ancient ruins - imagine how much more of a help it would be if we had the whole and not just this fragment). The Next stop we went to is the fortress, named Machaerus, where John the Baptist was held prior to his being beheaded (likely all the events in this scripture passage happened there Mat 14:3-12). It was situated in a grand vantage point - you could see the Dead Sea and mountainous areas all around you. Brother Huntsman, will be my Professor next week, drew a comparison Elijah = John ; Antipus = Ahab ; Herodias = Jezebel. Which is why Antipus was so upset - that is he could see the comparison plain as day. 

That Night we stayed in a hotel that is an abandoned village whose ruins have been renovated to become a rather suave hotel experience. There was a pool there and I had a grand old time swimming and taking in the atmosphere of the place.

The Next day we began our trip through Petra. Which is a huge site and is amazing to behold. As you approach there is a horse coral to you left. This is a highly secured city. I think it was the Romans who tried to take the city and could not (though they eventually poisoned their water source leading to victory). There is literally no way there except a pass through dual cliffs. Along the way there are pillars to their main god and his three daughters, as well as etched out camels and soldiers in the cliffs themselves. And once you enter you see a famous site from Indiana Jones, this tomb is magnificent and it is not clear whom it held (they are currently digging below it to ascertain that), as an aside it is mistakenly named the Treasury for no apparent reason. As you take a right and left you begin to get a feel for this site. Still with cliffs on both sides there are etched tombs on both sides with Nabotean triangles and/or steps to heaven patterns on the top (the number of these tell how many were buried there). Also while most are sandstone tan, some of these tombs are different colors due to the minerals and oxidation of these minerals. There is a theater here (there are Egyptian and Greek influences in architecture) with no stage due to it's ritual purposes. On your left just here is a stone stairway to the Sacrificial High Place. Nearly here the dual cliffs widen so they actually form a large enclosing circle. In the middle used to be the Nabotean city and residence. However earthquakes throughout time made this more or less unrecognizable it looks now like just a mound of stones. But there are beautiful things to see  on both sides. On the opposite side of the mound we had lunch in a wonderful restaurant. I wanted to be in the first group out to look at the Monastery (about a 20 minute hike up stone stairs). On the way up there are booths of merchandise and many people selling them for 1 dinar and up. I wonder if they have to rent out those spots from each other. Anyway they try and get you to promise that on the way down you will buy something from them (because they KNOW you'll be back that way). Anyway the Monastery was huge it was a little difficult to climb into it. I also saw a vantage point which displayed quite a bit of the city. Then I hiked back down - I saw a group rushing to also climb the Sacrificial High Place walk so I rushed with them. It lead to another vantage point which was cool. On the way back to the buses and bidding a farewell to the site I rode a horse back up. We took that bus on the 4 hour trip back to the Amman area. The hotel was nice that night after such a day of hiking. We did go out that night during which we saw the Rainbow Road shops - which was mostly high class stuff - so I naturally bought something at each shop. There we saw a recreation of Babylons blue and gold gate. Good night to that night. 

The Next day Amman began with a trip to the King Abudulah Mosque where our tour guide Muhammed explained many things about Islamic culture and religion. He explained that the call for prayer five times a day was a helpful reminder to have a prayer in their heart at all times. Also that the first prayer is the hardest as it is   before sunrise - he explained that the devil tries to stop you from praying and this time is usually when he succeeds (he has lead many mormon groups so I expect at this section he was pulling out similarities especially). Also, he explained how Their Prophet Muhammed was reprimanded during a part of his receiving visions because he said to a question "I will tell you tomorrow" after he had asked of God. In that he assumed he could command God and was reprimanded for that by Gabriel (This is in relation to the Cave Question). He was also asked about the beginning of the spirit which he answered with "I don't know" (which was the correct answer as any answer would have proven him to NOT be a prophet in the questioners eyes - a logical hurdle I cannot get over). Next we went to the Citadel - which was a confusing site to me. It was confusing because it had been inhabited for so long I mean a very long time - yet there were no layers from what I could see. Each period built next to each other rather than tearing down and building new it seemed to me. So we would be passing a ruin and explain it's history then jump several periods at the new ruin on the same level. Apparently the Amman Citadel area had been inhabited since the Iron Ages. I quote from Bro Huntsman's blog:

"We then drove to the Citadel, the fortified center of every city on this site since the Iron Age, if not earlier.  It was Rabbath Ammon in the Bible, capital of the Ammonites and frequently fought against by the Israelites.  In the Hellenistic period it became a Greek city known as Philadephia.  It continued as such into the Roman period, when it was one of the Decapolis or "ten cities" mentioned in the New Testament gospels.  In the Byzantine period it became an important Christian site, and in the Arab period it became Amman, by which it is known today.  The Citadel has remains from all these periods.  The most noticeable is the great Temple of Hercules, who was actually a Roman syncretism with Melqart, the chief god of the Ammonites."

There was an amazing museum there which held the first known remains of depictions of humans. It used to hold the metal scroll from the collection of the dead sea scrolls but they have since been moved.

We left Amman and on the way out saw the area where Gen 32 is said to have taken place. A very highly spiritual experience for Jacob (of which we only have a fragment in Genesis).

Next we saw Jerash the ancient city and part of the Decapolis - that experience began with a view of its Hadrainus Arch of mostly original stones we saw to our left while entering the horse stables which would have held ready horses and accepted the tired ones. through those you could enter the smallest known Hippodrome where we saw a presentation of the Roman Legion's formations as well as Gladiator and Chariot section of the show. Come to think of it This site rivals Ephesus as far as awesomeness goes. It may just exceed it in my eyes. Inside the south gate there is an amazing oval plaza surrounded by columns later you can see the center of the city which used to have four Gazebo like structures holding statues. As you continue down the slanted stone road you can see the chariot wheel imprints. On your left you behold a area which used to have a magnificent fountain. We saw a temple to Artemis and were left to wander. I saw a nice theater and loved it. There are columns lining the rows and it's a pretty cool place. We drove on the buses during that trip a large group stopped at the Royal Automobile Museum in Jordan. This Museum featured many of the actual cars that the Monarchy here has driven it was quite interesting and I hope to show you the pictures later. I would describe it but I am not that knowledgeable with cars to tell you much. There were motorcycles, fancy slow cars, slick fast road cars, Jeeps, and racing cars featured among them. We stayed in the same hotel this night as the last. The nights activities were fun as a small group was led by Katie a BYU Jordanian study abroad student to a famous and cheap restaurant via a taxi and afterward a wonderful cheese sweet shop (really good). After a short taxi back we also got this nice Smootie with fruit as well as Ice Cream with fruit dish - we got it at this cool little shop with a fish tank. Then I ended out the night playing never have I ever with some fellow JC students.  

This next day was highlighted by a trip to the Largest theater in Jordan which lies in Amman. I sang "The Spirit of God" with Jared Maxfield and Scott Walker in the center of the amphitheater. Many other performances were had. Directly after this we walked through a market place as a tour so we didn't stop to buy anything. Next a rest stop in a rather random seeming tourist mall thing. Where we also ate KFC then our stop at the Jordan river. Jesus was likely baptized near this site as there are ancient signs that this might be the place. There was an ancient Mikveh there (a Jewish water ritual immersion font which has as one of it's purposes conversion) old enough to have been there at the time of John the Baptist so it's possible that Jesus was baptized in a mikveh and not actually the river Jordan but I digress. There is an early christian chapel with steps down to what must have been a wonderful site - it is now a dry bed as the river no longer allows the small outlet that used to be there. Further along the trail is a wooden deck with a refined jordan "holy water" river there. The opposite bank is Israel and they have set up baptism sites on that side as well. There were several cathedrals there we didn't go inside. Also from a distance we saw there a cathedral commemorating Elijah's ascending into heaven near the river Jordan (2 Kings 2:4-13). 

All that remained was a trip back across the border. So I whipped out a computer and played Jack Johnson while the bus drove back to the Jerusalem Center.

While here I have recently ascertained a cello to borrow. I played my cello for those in the food court named the Oasis and got a pretty good response!  I thought it was really fun.

Unfolding History

Hey so I thought that I'd update my blog a bit. We went on a field trip with a man who is obsessed with maps. Needless to say it gave me added appreciation for the current conflict here in this area, meaning the conflict between Israel and Palestine. Actually in my Modern Near East Classes (we have two - each presented from their own perspective) I have been impressed with that they basically recounting history in a similar way. Both are open and honest so I feel I have a better understanding of the issue as what the issue is doesn't seem to be the thing that is being argued. I'm semi-doing this off the cuff so forgive and correct me if you note something not right.

First off there were always some Jews living in the area although in a very small number. They were farmers and lived their lives in harmony with the people around them. During this time the "Near East" was under Ottoman rule and was contacted by various nations to rise up against that empire basically to help their own political prowess, so Palestine became somewhat of a nation as it was being contacted (Not that it didn't have a local identity - all areas do). The First Aliyah (meaning "ascent" - immigration) of Jews came to do that - that is to farm and till the ground. Their settlements were named with such themes as Hope and Salvation.

Also during this time frame and shortly thereafter Zionist doctrines (Not religious) were being formulated up in Germany. Some secular Jew Students moved, and are called the second Aliyah to the Holy Land, and became very active in working the land. Work was their doctrine and looked down on anyone not pulling their weight. Their want was not a religious one they wanted a state of their own for a purely secular reason. (A map displays this time period). (Not many Jews were Zionist - But to this group was suggested an area by the British in East Africa - which the majority of Zionists rejected solidifying that the land near Jerusalem - which is considered Palestine - is definitely where the Zionists wished to go). There are around 6 other Aliyahs.

Nevertheless the immigration was to such a degree that caused the Arab Revolt of 1936 - it's theme was violet acts against the unwanted immigrants and an attack against British rule. The consensus of this revolt was not absolute and some Palestinians put Jewish families in their homes to protect them in a spirit of "if you want them you must go through me".

Next, WWII was near beginning which forced many Jews seeing the signs of war to wish to leave. But the doors to the countries were already closed. America and other countries (including the British - including their occupied territory of Palestine) already had mandates and rules for immigration and all did not allow a large influx of immigrants. And so Zionism became slightly more popular and the immigration into Palestine despite English regulations (which they did enforce strictly) happened quite a bit this is named Aliyah Bet. The Holocaust occurs, different Jews had different reactions (Generally Ultra Orthodox blame Zionism, and Zionists blame Orthodoxy for God allowing the atrocity). Britain has it's own conflicts so it entirely gives the issue to the UN to deal with.

There was already in place a British mandate for the area (including Palestine and modern day Jordan). Jordan gets split from Palestine and is ruled by Hashemites (descendants of Muhammad's great-grandfather). The UN stops all Jewish settlement of Jordan at that point. The UN's plan for Palestine is best portrayed by this map which it proposes in 1947. Notice the bottlenecks of boundaries both countries would have had to deal with. The Jews accept it however the Palestinians do not. Resulting in war during this war the Palestinians and several other countries come in to fight. The Israelis won and gained ground in the battle. Jordan occupied the resulting West Bank and Egypt occupies Gaza. A cease fire was agreed upon and maintained until 1967. The new boundaries were thought to be temporary in a sense and were drawn first with green pen and so is known as the "Green Line". All surrounding Arab countries do not recognize Israel as a state.

The bad relations between Israel and the surrounding countries continue. In 1967, Egypt blocks international waters (an act of war in itself). This, and Arab armies posted near their borders, prompts Israel to attack first in a very successful surprise campaign in the Six Day War. You'll notice in this map in the upper right hand corner they gained land from Syria I learned there are actually cliffs there and the Syrians were bombing the Israelis from above. Also they gained the Sinai Peninsula (and opened the blocked waters in the process) as well as pushed Jordan out of the West bank and became the new occupiers of all Palestine land in so doing. (It is viewed that Israel occupies the West Bank it is not part of Israel proper, so an accurate picture of the country should be like this in our time.) The Israeli Independence Day is known by Palestinians as the Calamity, which is an interesting note and displays well the feelings on both sides.  Palestinians continued the war through the early 1970's.

In 1973 Egypt and Syria made advances in the Yom Kippur War (so named because it was on a Jewish holy day Yom Kippur). In so doing they regained some military glory. But were pushed back completely and the only part the Jordanians had in the battle as I understand it was to prevent Israel from taking more land from Syria. Then in 1982 an agreement was reached between Egypt and Israel to have the Sinai returned to Egypt (relations with Israel are looked down upon by the other Arab countries - ostracizing Egypt from them a bit). Israel still retained the Gaza Strip.

The Palestinian Intefadas followed next - which were occupied Gaza and West Banks Palestinians would protest. Some of these were violent resulting in killings others meant to just create chaos by destroying streets.

In 2001 the decision was made to withdraw completely from the Gaza Strip this was carried out over the next while. Also the Separation wall was beginning to be built. Several things about this. The Wall encloses the West Bank. The Jerusalem area actually has several more issues. For instance more Jerusalem land was annexed by Israel into East Jerusalem after the Green Line was drawn. No country has recognized this annexation. Then the Separation wall throughout the area does not follow the Green Line but deviates greatly, not just slightly, from it. Also in relation to Palestinians with Israeli citizenship - they really get the worst of both worlds. They get scorned by other countries of Arabs and to a point looked down on within their own country. The Arab East Jerusalemites who are now within the separation wall have now created their own culture (whereas they just used to belong to the West Bank - they have to decide who are they now) They are not citizens of any place but are given ID cards by Israel. Also Jewish and Arab students in schooling are always separated - complete with separate books. Feelings toward these attitudes and the wall are divided among both groups.

Hamas has garnered lots of support by those in Gaza as well as the West Bank (They won the election there in 2006). Fatah is a major party of the Palestinians in the West Bank. Though many consider Fatah to be corrupt to a degree (especially in regards to receiving money, from America for instance, and doing very strange things with it). Both Hamas and Fatah have extended their agreed upon rule. I learned also that Hamas builds schools and hospitals for it's people and that's generally why they have support from the Palestinian people. Hamas is blamed for quite a bit of things because they are "in control" of Gaza and technically the West Bank - but there are many different movements and divisions other than Hamas in operation. I learned that Jihadists are excommunicated from Islam. Those Terrorists are considered by the general body as not part of their religion.

After all this history I want to inform you that much of this is romanticized - that is it is more a battle of governments than with people. Imagine a normal man and place him on either side of this conflict this man loves his family, laughs etc. And he has relations with and enjoys the company of people who don't agree with him. The civilians on both sides have a substantial group which do not like the idea of the Settlements being build in the West Bank (neither does America) It lessens the chance of a two nation ideal end.

I hope I have displayed everything that happened in a correct way. I am partly doing this from memory. A resolution should be made including a dual state, upon that many agree.

Ahoy! I pressed olives! I'm an olive presser... I press olives now.

There was an optional opportunity (which our entire group took) to go snorkeling down at the most southern city of Israel - a port city on the red sea named Eilat. It was a 4 hour ride there and back. It was quite windy and there were restraints obviously where we could go and where we could not. There were two bridges out to the deep water the wind was very strong so that if you just lay there the current would lead you there. Among the fish I saw were a Parrot Fish, a school of Sergeant Major (a white blacked stripped fish), a Trigger Fish, several Coral Groupers, many Suez fusiliers, and several fish who looked like Dory but I think were actually Yellowtail Surgeonfish (more I can't name after a bit of research). When you are in the deep section there is a coral reef blocking you from the shore of mostly that sandy dull color with the intermittent bright colored coral. Near the further bridge there was an excellent place to see fish around a circular reef further into the sea. Loved it!! I was doing freestyle with that snorkel on and had a grand old time - both on the beach and in the water.

Well here near the old city we had a tour of the City of David (the original settlement which is completely outside of the current walls) I found it very interesting. At the tourist sight there were harp signs everywhere which of course is an icon of David. We went to an outlook and saw how the mostly Arab settlements did have Jewish homes in there as well now which was interesting. We also saw the supposed sight of Solomon's Egyptian wife's tomb (although it's said the dates do not match up). The City of David was situated between two valleys which intersected below it namely the Kidron and Tyropoeon Valleys. It is at that junction that Melchezideck and Abraham are supposed to have met (Melchez. interestingly is mentioned by Josephus apparently as a righteous Canaanite holy man(?) whose people also had a temple on the current temple mount). We watched a 3-D movie there at the tourist site which was actually better than I expected. But as we walked through the City ruins we saw the Glaci which might have held up David's palace and a Nobleman's home there as well. Then we saw the grave area which is said to have held both David and Solomon's bodies for a time (however no visible graves are there as it was later used as a quarry). Also cool is that from the base of the valleys there upward it was considered more and more sacred as you went up culminating in Solomon's Temple area - sort of like steps of holiness as you ascend.

Next was Hezekiah Tunnel which was constructed to bring the Gihon Spring's water to a more secure area within further the city walls (also at a time when there were many Northern Kingdom refugees from when they were carried away coming to Jerusalem and as such an additional wall was created around that area to protect them). Gihon means "Gushing" or sent and that word has relation to that area unto this very day with the Arab community on the other side of the Kidron Valley. The Tunnel's constructors start from both directions tunneling and take a very windy path to do so and met at the middle. At times the ceilings are high and other times I had to crouch over like the hunchback of Notre Dame to get through. There are still water running through and at times it went up to slightly above my knee water level - but mainly it was ankle high. The width is about the same throughout fairly narrow but not uncomfortable. During the trip through Jared Maxfield was behind me and Katherine Redd in front and every now and again we would turn off all of our headlamps to have a blackout which was fun. As we got out after we took pictures where there was a pool that was fun. -- Later we saw the excavated section of the Pool of Siloam (featured in the wonderful healing John 9:6-11) It is here at this pool Lamps and lights everywhere that Jesus declares that I am the light of the world. Also the water was used from this pool to be brought up and sprinkeled on the altar. 

We went up and out of that area through a tunnel (which I later found out was a sewer type of area which was actually used as a hideout for some Jews during the Roman destruction) And then we were picked up by some buses. That was a cool trip and gave me plenty to think about. 

We have been engaged in the Olive Pressing process for a little bit. We picked the olives from the many olive trees in the center all together. We were climbing in the trees and using ladders to get the high hanging olives. There is much symbolism involved with the olive tree and the fruit thereof. The tree is called the tree of light for when the wind blows it you see the interchange between the dark and light sides of the leaf and the whole tree seems to shimmer. The Olive if eaten directly off the tree is very bitter I ate and swallowed a bite so I can attest to you it's true. However the Olive oil one separated is quite sweet showing that the bitterness of sin can be squashed out and what remains is sweet. We were engaged recently in the olive crushing here at the center they have all the necessary parts to crush (with a wheel beam mechanism) and then various forms of pressing oil out of the resulting mush (weighted press, and a screw press). You would fill shallow circular baskets full of the mush and place them under the mechanisms and when applied pressure the baskets bleed the olive oil from all sides. It was said that at the later parts of the construction of this Jerusalem Center that an general authority remarked this plot would not be complete without an olive tree - so one was transplanted here from Bethlehem that tree is 1200 years old. Since then there are many trees which spot the terraces here in the Jerusalem Center. How how I love it here! 

Have a Good one!

Oh Glorious Low Lands: Fortresses included

K! Some background has to be laid here: The Coastal Plains (otherwise known as the plains near the coast) were inhabited by the Philistines which are one of the peoples that could not be expelled when the Israelite peoples were conquering their promised land as they came west.


Beth Shemesh - At this site on top a top too tall hill we overlooked the place of Samson's raising and later strange exploits. From the lookout we looked... out to Samson's birth town. And while reading of his story what struck me most was the story of the vision to his parents actually especially the section in Judges 13:15-23. I think the principle that - the story of the Old Testament is not one of precisely what God wants to have happen rather it is a story of what occurred applies to the rest of the story of Samson. The other wonder of mine is what the writer hopes us to understand or learn from his story. What also struck me is how close the Philistine city from which he gets his wife happens to be.


Azekah - we did not go to the Tel here but used it more as a vantage point to view out where the story of David and Goliath played out which was pretty cool in and of itself. Also from the opposite side we were able to in the distance see the some of the cities of the Philistines most notably Gath. Azekiah along with Lachish feature in scripture most notably Jeremiah 34:7 due to these cities along with Jerusalem being the only ones left from the attacks of the Babylonians. 


Lachish - was under siege and overtaken by the Assyrians and the Bablyonians. Under the Babylonian siege marked in Jeremiah 34:7 an interesting archeological find gives us an additional snapshot of the moment there. Named the 4th letter of the Lachish Letters it went unsent as it was still in Lacish it reads "And may (my lord) be apprised that we are watching for the fire signals of Lachish according to all the signs which my lord has given, because we cannot see Azeqah." So this is after the Biblical account and shows a moment of despair when they cannot see the signal fires of Azekah. We went to the top of the Tel there and walked throughout the remains of the city - I pointed to where the Israelites would have been looking to the fire of Azekah and took a picture (unfortunetly here they won't let us upload pictures - bandwidth issues).


Lachish - Earlier in time is the Assyrian siege where they made the still visible siege ramps (ramps for siege war machines) and the Israelites made a counter siege ramp to make easier attacks against the Assyrians. When the Assyrians won they actually made a mosaic in walls of Sennacherib’s palace at Nineveh. However shortly after their victory the Lord struck down their force making it impossible to go up against Jerusalem. However Jerusalem did pay great tribute to Assyria.


Mareshah - Another important Israelite fortress but the real jem is from the Roman period where there are intricate caves which go for quite a ways. I loved this site because it was interesting and the path down one of them particularly was long and you had a feeling like "are we really supposed to be going down this way"? But there really was only one way and it was just really cool - I can't wait to show you the pictures. Also we sang in one of the halls I loved it - Kaleb Valdez lead us in doing a perfect fifth trick which has you hear when in an enclosed cistern like we were an octave above that which you sing. Anyways there was an interesting tomb here where the art on the walls has been recreated - it had animals and was very colorful. After a short drive we were at the bell caves. ENORMOUS open caves we sang many hymns inside and it was very awesome.


So in these rolling hills contained the above fortresses each separated by a valley and each having an important israelite city behind them to protect. That was a fun trip!


Also we had a mock Seder dinner (it's the wrong season for it - it is actually Sukkot right now and it was just recently the Day of Atonement ). Seder goes over the story of Exodus. To give you perhaps the best taste of the theme of the evening "Rabban Gamliel used to say: Whoever does not explain the following three symbols at the Seder, has not fulfilled the duty of the Haggadah ("Telling" of the Exodus story). The Passover Sacrifice; The Matzah; and The Bitter Herbs"


The Passover Sacrifice: In Jewish additional scripture the Misnah (which are the words whispered to Moses atop mount Horeb) The Lord God is defined as himself executing the final plague of Exodus that is the killing of all the firstborns in the area without lambs blood on the doors. And in the Temple times this was symbolized by a Lamb being sacrificed during the same time as the Passover occurred.


The Matzah: Is both a symbol of Slavery and of Freedom - it is to be the last taste in your mouth at the end of the evening. Slavery because it is the bread they were given during their slavery and freedom because they were thrust so quickly out of Egypt they couldn't have even allowed time for their bread to rise. 


The Bitter Herbs: A variety is eaten and this because they bring remembrance to the bitterness of slavery under the Egyptians (Leafs dipped in salt water, horse radish, an apple mix, a meat containing a bone and a combination of some of these sticks out to me)


Another practice of the nearly full Seder we performed which struck me was taking from our cup of grape juice 10 drops of liquid to show our regret that Egyptian suffering occurred from the 10 plagues. 


Just today I had a lot of fun! We went to the Russian Orthodox Church of Maria Magdalene which had beautiful gardens around it and inside were beautiful paintings. Most Iconic of this site is the several golden roofing domes which are simply stunning. As we went further up the mount of Olives we encountered the Dominus Flevit Church (which commemorates Jesus overlooking Jerusalem and weeping - it is in the shape of a tear) one of the mosaics in there was of a hen gathering her chickens. We saw the Tomb of the Prophets which is said to have laid the last three Jewish prophets in them. We saw then the Chapel of the Ascention which holds a stone which both Traditional Christians and Muslims view as the last stone which Jesus touched before ascending to heaven.


PS Also check out this video as it shows you the center inside and out http://ce.byu.edu/jc/hosting-video.cfm