We had a bit of a drive in the morning (we watched the country side and worshipped on the bus) until we arrived at Qumran. This is a village that is being excavated near where the Dead Sea Scrolls where found (cave in background of group photo). The Essenes were a sect of Jews who wanted to set themselves apart from the corruption in Jerusalem and spent a lot of time copying the scriptures and making other records. They were basically a monk-type commune, but we have them to thank for all the many copies of the scriptures proving that the Old Testament we have today has not erred from the originals. All photos.
Pictured below is a mikveh, a ceremonial bath. You enter on one side, fully submerge, and exit on the other so you don’t become unclean on your way out. The Essenes did this at least 3 times a day before they ate and also before any ceremonies. We actually saw one in one of our hotels that the Jews still use today for ceremonial cleansing.
We made it to Masada for lunch.
Masada was a fort (and palace) on top of a plateau built by Herod the Great that became the last holdout of the Jews when they revolted against Rome. When they knew they were about to be captured, the Jews cast lots in order to determine who would kill all the women and children and then who would be the one to kill the others and then at last to ‘fall on their sword’ as suicide was not allowed and the person who drew that lot thought they would go to hell. They would rather die (kill each other) than become slaves. When the Romans got in, everyone was dead except a woman and children hiding in a covered staircase. We’ve heard there is a movie about this but haven’t seen it.
We rode a 1/2 mile cable car to the top and the ruins had some well preserved tiles and features that were neat to see. Pictured above is the model of the fort/palace (great view by the way), the double floor of the sauna showing how they would have heated the room and collected the water, and the view down from the cable car. From the top we could also see the ruins of the Roman camp and the dirt ramp they built in order to attack the walls. Masada Photos.
After Masada, we checked in early to our hotel because we stayed on the Dead Sea. The Dead Sea is the lowest point on Earth at 427 meters below sea level. The salinity is up to 9 times higher than other oceans. It is supposed to be the healthiest place to sunbathe because the minerals are in the air around you and filter the sunlight as well as being inhaled. People also like the mud for beauty treatments, if you can find it under the crusty salt floor (ouch).
The Dead Sea is dying due to the Jordan River being diverted for drinking water and other environmental reasons. They have markers from English explorers that show the shoreline used to be 100s of meters higher. We saw multiple resorts that used to be on the shore but are now stranded. Israelis ‘harvest’ the minerals (not just salt) from the salt-bergs that form in the water and then refine them nearby. More photos.
Terry R Neat
Paulette N What an interesting place!
David E A TV movie/miniseries on ABC that first aired on the 5th of April 1981. It’s a historical Drama/ fictional account of the Siege in 73 AD according to Wikipedia. Available on Netflix it was said. If you want to look it up sometime Becca for yourself. I just remember it was in the 80’s and on ABC. College and Work were keeping me busy then and I’m not sure if I saw the whole series but the network advertised the heck out of it….just like their Nuclear War one during the same time……..”The Day after Tomorrow”
Rebecca Yep, pretty sure it was in the same style as the 10 Commandments with Charleston Heston but he wasn’t in it. Not sure if we will get around to watching it but probably would make an exciting drama.
DannyAlicia B Bucket list goals 💕 how awesome !!!!
Micah W I’m reading reports of Hamas attacks in Israel and that all bomb shelters are being opened. I’m not sure how widespread this is. The news tell us all nothing. Is this affecting yall in any way? Couldn’t help but think about you.
Rebecca we are back. These are my write ups of the trip. But the bombings are real and the shelters are necessary.
Micah W I know it’s an ongoing thing, but what I read today sounded more serious and with Iran on the verge of having nuclear capability….so glad yourecback safely. Thanks again for sharing your trip!
Terry 😢
Rebecca here is a write up, most of the blasts were about 7 miles from where we worked on the shelters.
https://www.reuters.com/…/israeli-intercepts-rocket…/
Israeli strikes target Hamas in Lebanon and Gaza after rocket attack
Terry R glD you are back safe and sound.
Rebecca here is another report: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dnw86ZKo47k
Terry R one tiny country against evil.
Terry R Thanks for the post.