Even though we know this, and we are prepared for it, we complain (while continuing our daily lives).
Of course it is much easier today with air condition in homes, cars, work places and what not.

How did they do it before all this modern inventions? Maybe even King Solomon with all his wisdom were just like us, making it more bearable by complaining.

King Solomon on the Heat

Courtesy: My favorite cartoonist, Yaakov Kirschen, creator of Dry Bones cartoons.

I have been there more times than I can remember. The reason we visit is to walk up through the Nahal David Canyon, to the
fresh water pools and the waterfalls. In the middle of the desert. But for many of us it is also the opportunity to see the wild life, such ad the ibex and the hyrax.

Today was no different, except as we turn in toward the parking lot a great herd of ibex was feeding along side the road. Breathtaking as usual. We of course stopped to admire these exquisite animals, who are shy but not really afraid of people.

After a while we tore ourselves away, and I drove into the parking lot, and I was lucky to find a space under a tree that would give shade to the car. One of my tourists was the first out of the car, but within seconds she jumped back in, saying: What is that? pointing to the front of the car.

There, on the bonnet of my car stood a magnificent male ibex. I never saw him, as I pulled into the parking space, but he must have seen me immediately, and said: “Well, how nice of her to park right there. I can use the car to reach the leaves of that tree much easier”.

He immediately started feeding, taking absolutely no notice of us, who scrambled out of the car with cameras in hand (in my case my cell phone), nor of any of the other people noticing what was going on. Soon he decided that the roof would make feeding even more convenient.

After 10 minutes or so, to my great sorrow, I had to chase him off the car, because he kept setting off the alarm system.  But what a magnificent experience. This is the closest I have ever been to an ibex.

Michelangelo

Without knowing it David became one of the most influential of historical figures. Whether he existed as told in the biblical stories or not has no importance here. For millenia and till today people hear the stories about King David, and many believe them true.

The account of David is one of the most detailed accounts of anyone in the Bible, beginning with his ancestors and to his death,  and descendants. We hear about his accomplishments as a warrior, as a player of the lyre and the writer of songs. But we also hear about his frailties and faults, of his relationships with some family members and supporters.

Who Was King David

David was the second king of ancient Israel. He is accredited with uniting the two kingdoms, Judah and Israel, under one united Kingdom of Israel. He is also the conqueror of the small town of Jebus, making it into his capital, under the new name Jerusalem. It is these two events that made the historical imprint.

He is generally believed to be born in 1040 BCE*, became king of Judah 1010 BCE and in 1003 BCE created the united Kingdom of Israel. He died in 970 BCE, to be followed by his son Solomon.

The only sources for the life and reign of David can be found in the Bible, in Samuel 1 and 2, 1 Kings and 1 Chronicles. There is to date only one extra biblical record where the name David appears. This is the Tel Dan Stele, an Aramaic inscription from 9th or 8th century BCE, commemorating victories over local peoples including Israel and The House of David.

Biblical Narrative – Early Days

David was the youngest of eight sons of Jesse, a grandson of Ruth and Boaz (Ruth 4:17). As a young man, while King Saul still ruled, he was annointed to be king by the prophet Samuel. (1 Samuel 16:13).

Carravagoio, 1600

While still a youth he was sent by his father to meet his three oldest brothers, who had joined King Saul in the battle against the Philistines in the Valley of Elah (1 Samuel 17:17). There David killed Goliath, the mightiest of the Philistine warriors, with a stone from his sling (1 Samuel 17:49), causing the Israelite victory. Saul takes him to his court and a deep friendship develops between David and Jonathan, Saul’s son (1 Samuel 18:1).

David becomes the most successful and renowned fighter in the Israelite army, loved by all, but causing Saul’s jealousy (1 Samuel 18: 5-16). Hoping to snare David, Saul arranges for his daughter Michal to marry David (1 Samuel 18:27). David is also known as an accomplished harp player (1 Samuel 18:10), and is accredited with writing many of the psalms.

David becomes an accomplished warrior, and captain of Saul’s army. His popularity enrages Saul, and David flees the court into the desert, where many men join his band. He comes to an agreement with one of the Philistine rulers, Achish of Gat, and stays in Ziglak for many years (David in wilderness and Ziglak 1 Samuel 19:1-30:31), only to return to Judah on the death of Saul and Jonathan during the battle with the Philistines at Mount Gilboa (1 Samuel 31).

David As King

David mourned the death of Saul and his sons (2 Samuel:11), moves to Hebron (2 Samuel 2:3), from where he rules for 7 years. After the death of Ish-boshet, Saul’s surviving son and ruler of Israel (2 Samuel 4:7), David is anointed king of Judah and Israel, the United Kingdom (2 Samuel 5:3).

He now conquers the Jebusite stronghold (2 Samuel 5:7), to become known as The City of David, Jerusalem. He establishes it as his capital and the center of worship by bringing the Ark of the Covenant into the city (2 Samuel 6:12). The Ark is placed on Mount Moriah, but David is not allowed by God to build a temple around it. This falls to his son, Solomon.

There are many stories about David as king, how he keeps defeating the Philistines and his relationship with friends and family. To recount them here would make long and tedious reading. But two stories are better known. The first is the story of his infatuation with Batsheba, the wife of Uriah the Hittite, how he disposes of Uriah, so he can marry Batsheba, who becomes the mother of Solomon (2 Samuel 11:1-27).

The other story is about his son, Absalom, who rebels against his father (2 Samuel 15:1—)  and his death (2 Samuel 18:14). The cause of the rebellion is partly the rape of Tamar, Absalom’s full sister, by her brother or rather half-brother Amnon (2 Samuel 13:1-14).

The End

Before his death David finally made order in his inheritance, and had Solomon annointed king (1 Kings 1:39). He dies soon hereafter (1 Kings 2:10), after having ruled his kingdom and people for 40 years.

His legacy is not only in creating the United Kingdom and making Jerusalem the religious center of Jewish worship. It goes much deeper. For Jews in later generations he becomes the ultimate symbol of unity and belonging to the Land. In later generations he came to be seen as a model for the mashiah (Hebrew for messiah). This is still true to some degree for certain parts of Jews today.

*BCE – Before Common Era; CE – Common Era.

The name Qumran is clouded in the fog of time. The site has been known to modern scholars since the middle of the 19th century. The rather large cemetary at the foot of the plateau was the main point of interest.

Discovery of Qumran
All of this changed in 1947, when some ancient scrolls came to light, found in caves surrounding the ruins. These were the first of many scrolls and fragments that today make up the Dead Sea Scrolls. Soon afterwards new exploration and surveys were made of the area led by Roland de Vaux, under the auspices of the Jordanian government. This was eventually followed by full scale excavations, again by Roland de Vaux. Since then many further excavations have taken place, each of them revealing new insights.

The findings show that the settlement was created in the middle of the second century BCE and was inhabited for the greater part of the next 170 years, to be abandoned and destroyed around the time of the First Jewish Revolt against the Romans (66-70 CE).

The people of Qumran
The concensus among most archeologists and scholars is that it was settled by a Jewish sect, known as the Essenes. This sect is known from other sourches such as Josephus Flavius, Philo, Pliny the Elder, the Gospels, and the Dead Sea Scrolls themselves.

As important as Qumran is, it is the Scrolls that have become known as the most important Biblical find of the 20th century, shedding new light of a very special group of people, but also on the time itself when they were written, studies and eventually hidden away.

The site
The site consists of an arrangement of buildings – the tower, the scriptorium, the communal dining hall, the pottery storage room, the mikvot (ritual baths) as well as an impressive water collecting system and water cisterns. In addition working areas have been identified – ovens for cooking, kilns for burning pottery, a wine press.

The site gives an impressive view over the Dead Sea, the cliffs of the Judean Desert, as well as the adjoining plateau with two of the caves (4 and 5).

When first discovered it was often referred to as a monastary. However, that is impossible, as the people who lived there, the Essenes, believed their leader to be the rightful High Priest, who must be a descendent of Zadok, the High Priest at the time of David. Without women this could not be, even today.

Because of this belief the Essenes may also be the Zadokites, a group known from the above-mentioned writings.

A visit to Qumran will open up understanding of the last century BCE and first century CE. It is a glimpse into a very different time and an extreme life style even for its time.

Palace and hippodrome from the south

No tour through Caesarea is complete without a visit Herod’s palace. Although completely in ruins enough remains for us to see the enormous size of the largest of all the palaces built by Herod the Great. The partial reconstruction is an invaluable addition to understand what Herod’s palace must have looked like.

Caesarea was an impressive construction. As was Herod’s way he always chose the most impressive and often most difficult place for his own palace. In Caesarea he outdid himself.

The palace is situated on a promontory into the Mediterranean Sea on the south side of Caesarea, lodged between the theater and the hippodrome. In its final form it consisted of two levels, the lower, western level being earlier that the higher eastern level.

Reconstruction*

Entrance to the palace was from east, through a massive entry way that leads to the large courtyard (42 x 65 m). This courtyard was surrounded on all sides by a roof covered colonnade. The center of the courtyard had most likely been planted with trees, palms and shrubs that may even have created small secluded areas.

The courtyard was surrounded by rooms, the most impressive to be seen on the north side. This room has been named the Audience Hall. If so, this may have been the place where the rulers and governors received visitors and reviewed cases, such as Felix meeting Paul (Acts 24:26).

In the center of the courtyard stands a stone with an inscription. This stone has nothing to do with Herod. The stone is known as the Pontius Pilate stone, as the inscription mentions this important governor by name. It is most likely that Pontius Pilate, like all the other Roman governors, lived in this palace after Judea comes under direct Roman rule in the year 70 BE and made Caesarea the capital of the new Roman province.

On the northwest corner of the upper palace is a staircase leading down to the lower level. Unfortunately most of us can only look at the lower level from the upper level as the staircase is almost completely eroded away by the waves of the Mediterranean.

Pool, Lower Palace

What first strikes the visitor looking on the Lower Level is the large (35x18m) pool. The pool was surrounded by columns and rooms with a tall column in the center. Just below the viewpoint from the Upper Palace is the triclinium (93 m square). It’s difficult to see it and the two rooms adjoining, as they have been covered over to protect the mosaics found there.

Every time I come to this palace I am impressed. The sheer size of it, the scope, the location on the premonotory, the view over the Mediterranean. This is probably one of the most difficult sites for me to explain on paper !

* Student’s reconstruction of palace seen from the north. Courtesy Caesarea Maritima, a project of the University of Pennsylvania Museum

The land in question lies below the Israel Museum, with the Botanical Gardens adjoining, and touching upon the cross-city Begin Highway. It had been leased to the two kibbutzim as agricultural land for many years, but the lease was up. However, the kibbutzim together with a land developer claimed the land.

The problem is that the last small herd of gazelles from the hills of Jerusalem had this land as their home. Being between two hills, the area has become known as Gazelle Valley. These gazelles were cut off some 15 years before the dispute started from their natural habitat and other herds of gazelles in the Judean Mountains, due to roads and homes being built all around.

As if this was not enough the herd of gazelles have been depleted through hunting by wild dogs. It took months of relentless activity by the SPNI to catch the dogs, but by then only three does were left

The District Planning and Building Council of Jerusalem has finally given approval for a plan ensuring the does’ future and enabling the re-population of the herd. Their plan calls for part of the valley to be left in its natural state, to accommodate the gazelles, while the remainder would be a public park.

The SPNI has also committed to bring in fresh blood to maintain the herd of gazelles.

Biblical reference
This is a tremendous boost in animal protection, and especially important to readers of the bible. One of the earliest references to gazelles in this area comes from Song of Solomon 3:5 – I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, by the gazelles or the does of the field …

Thanks goes to: Ha’Aretz Daily Newspaper and the Jerusalem Post

Songs have been written, stories are told, traditions and important events are told again and again. And against this there are other aspects to this venerated old river.

No one today will see it in its whole length, but only snatches and bits and pieces. In some places you may see fast flowing waters where modern water fun can be entertained. In other places a slowly meandering old river venerated for its religious importance.

The Upper Jordan River

The Jordan River runs from its sources Dan, Banias and Hazbani at the foot of the Hermon Mountain via the Sea of Galilee and empties out in the Dead Sea, for a total length of 320 km. The first part from the sources to the Sea of Galilee is also known as the Upper Jordan River. This part is some 80 km in length and has a steep drop from app. 343 m above sea level (near Banias) to 214 m below sea level (Sea of Galilee).

The Banias

Dan and Banias are nature reserves as well as historical site. They both have hikes of varying lengths and difficulty to suit all. Within the Dan reserve is the ancient mound of Tel Dan, where one of the best preserved horned alters can still be seen, as well as the impressive Canaanite and Israelite city gates. It was here that the famous stelae was found carrying the words Beit David, House of David.

Banias , or  Caesarea Phillipi, is known for its Roman and Greek temples to Pan, but more so for being the place of Peter’s Confession (Matt 16:16; Mark 8:29).

On the upper river there are several places where rafting, kayaking or inner tubing can be done. Following good winters with much rain and snow the water rushes in places over boulders, creating decent rapids for the more adventurous spirits. In other places the water always run more placidly, and is therefore suitable for the whole family.

The Sea of Galilee

After some 80 km the Jordan River flows into the Sea of Galilee not far from the ancient town of Beit Saida.  The Kinneret as it is known in Hebrew is app. 21 km long and 13 km across at its widest and goes down to a depth of 43 m. It is the only freshwater lake in Israel, and serves as an attraction to local and foreign tourism, as a holiday area, as well as supplying some 50% of fresh water to Israel.

The Lower Jordan River

The Jordan River runs out of the the Sea of Galilee on the south western edge, and runs for another app. 250 km till it reaches the Dead Sea. This part is known as the Lower Jordan River, and the flow here is much slower as the drop is from -214 to -420 over the longer distance. Almost the full length of the Lower River also serves as border between Israel and the Kingdom of Jordan.

On the lower river, very close to the exit out of the Sea of Galilee, is the place most visited by Christian tourists. At the Yardenit Baptismal Site it is possible for any visitor to truly see and touch the waters of the Jordan River. The place offers facilities for baptizing, and for many pilgrims this becomes one of the highlights of their tour in Israel.

Baptism

This is not the place where Jesus was baptized (Matt 3:13). The traditional site of the baptism of Jesus is some 5 km north of the Dead Sea. This site is not approachable from the Israeli side, only from the Jordanian side.

Best known as the place of the baptism of Jesus, the Jordan River offers the visitor many exciting moments from its headwaters near the Hermon Mountain until its end in the Dead Sea.

One day, someone made the comment that preaching to people isn’t really all that hard. A real challenge would be to preach to a bear. One thing led to another and they decided to do an experiment.
They would all go out into the woods, find a bear, preach to it, and attempt to convert it.

Seven days later, they’re all together to discuss the experience.
Father Flannery, who has his arm in a sling, is on crutches, and has various bandages, goes first. “Well,” he says, “I went into the woods to find me a bear. And when I found him I began to read to him from the Catechism. Well, that bear wanted nothing to do with me and began to slap me around. So I quickly grabbed my holy water, sprinkled him and, Holy Mary Mother of God, he became as gentle as a lamb. The bishop is coming out next week to give him first communion and confirmation.”

Reverend Billy Bob spoke next. He was in a wheelchair, with an arm and both legs in casts, and an IV drip. In his best fire and brimstone oratory he claimed, “Well brothers, you KNOW that we don’t sprinkle!
I went out and I FOUND me a bear. And then I began to read to my bear from God’s HOLY WORD! But that bear wanted nothing to do with me. So I took HOLD of him and we began to wrestle. We wrestled down one hill, UP another and DOWN another until we came to a creek. So I quick DUNKED him and BAPTIZED his hairy soul. And just like you said, he became as gentle as a lamb. We spent the rest of the day praising Jesus.”

They both looked down at the rabbi, who was lying in a hospital bed. He was in a body cast and traction with IV’s and monitors running in and out of him. He was in bad shape. The rabbi looks up and says: “Looking back on it now, circumcision may not have been the best way to start.”

Friday morning a couple of weeks ago the Dizengoff Center in Tel Aviv hosted a food market. From the look of it most shoppers were happy and content, and even more so when they got the surprise of their lives.

Among the shoppers were members of the Israel Philharmonics and its choir.

The noise level at such events is quite high, but the Philharmonics managed to quieten everybody when it struck up the chords and full version of Verdi’s Il Trovatore and Rigoletto.

I was not there, but saw the news broadcast in the evening. And when I saw the clip on YouTube, I knew I had to share it with others.

So let nobody tell you that Israel doesn’t have talent and initiative. Enjoy!

Tel Aviv courtesy treybarrow.com

Just last year, 2009, Tel Aviv celebrated its centennial. But that is the modern city.

Who would think of Tel Aviv as hiding old treasures? Of having people living there thousands of years ago?

During the preparation for construction of a new apartment complex in the Ramat Aviv neighborhood of Tel Aviv, remains of prehistoric buildings were uncovered. The buildings are estimated to be 7.800-8.400 years old. Artifacts estimated to be between 13.000 and 100.000 years old were also found.

They were excavated by Ayelet Dayan on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA). According to Dayan these find are both “important and surprising” for understanding this period.

“For the first time, we have encountered evidence of a permanent habitation that existed in the Tel Aviv region 8,000 years ago,” she said. “The site is located on the northern bank of the Yarkon River, not far from the confluence with Nahal Ayalon. It is assumed that this fact
influenced the ancient settlers in choosing a place to live. The fertile alluvium soil along the fringes of the streams was considered a preferred location for a settlement in ancient periods.”

The building uncovered had at least three rooms, and is from the neolithic period (New Stone Age), a time when man was beginning to move from a nomadic life style of hunting and gathering to a settled life style, based on agriculture.

Among the artifacts found were flint tools such as sickle blades and flakes, the left-overs from tool production. Other finds are a basalt bowl and animal bones and teeth, including hippopotamus teeth.

Blessed be modern development for bringing another important archaeological site to light.

I have not been able to find pictures of the reported finds to show you.