DAY 10 – WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4
Sachne (natural spring pool)
Today we checked out of our Ohalo Manor hotel along the SW corner of the Sea of Galilee. Before leaving the Sea of Galilee area, we began the day in the Kinneret cemetery. Here we heard about the kibbutz as well as about a woman named Rachel. She was an early pioneer in the country from the Ukraine who was buried here in 1931. She was 41.
Driving south down the Jordan River Valley, we went to Beit Alpha. This is a synagogue that dates to the 5th century AD. We saw the amazing mosaic floor and heard a comical narrative about synagogue life from the Talmudic Period.
Close by we added a “surprise” experience at Sachne. Here we saw a natural pool created by the nearby Ein Harod spring (Judges 7). Some in the group enjoyed a swim here.
Beth Shean
Beth Shean (also Beth Shan) was our next stop. This is a huge archaeological site that dates to both the Old Testament and Roman periods. Among the Roman ruins, we saw the bathhouse, the cardo (main street), mosaics, shops, numerous fallen pillars (destroyed in 749 AD by an earthquake), and an almost intact theater. Some climbed to the top of the OT tel where Saul’s body was hung after he died at nearby Mt. Gilboa (1 Samuel 31). The view from here of the Roman city below is spectacular, despite the dust storm that began to come upon us from Jordan to the east.
From here we drove into the Hill Country of Ephraim/Samaria. Visibility was now very limited because of the dust in the air. Passing by Shechem /Sychar (Gen. 28, John 4) we arrived at Shiloh. It was here that the Ark of the Covenant resided for 369 years before it was taken by the Philistines. We saw the ruins from the Israelite period (corresponding to Samuel and Eli). We also saw a high-tech presentation of the story of Hannah and Samuel. The flat area below the acropolis/peak of the city was probably where the Tabernacle was. We read from Jeremiah 7 and heard this prophet’s reference he made to Shiloh.
Shiloh (area of Tabernacle) in dust storm
Driving south towards Jerusalem, we passed by other places mentioned in the Bible (e.g. Bethel, Genesis 12-13; Michmash, 1 Samuel 13-14). Arriving in Jerusalem we checked into our hotel (Lev Yerushalyim) and enjoyed dinner together. Most in the group enjoyed a walk to the Western Wall (through the Jaffa Gate).
We are excited to be in Jerusalem for the next 3 days.
DAY 11 – THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 6: OLD CITY, WESTERN WALL TUNNEL, JEWISH QUARTER, ISRAEL MUSEUM, YAD VASHEM
We spend the day in Jerusalem. We may see our first rain of this trip.