Day 8 – Saturday, November 14: Masada, Ein Gedi, Qumran, Dead Sea, Jerusalem, Western Wall
We left the hotel just about 7:40 a.m. this morning (following a 7 a.m. breakfast). Today was “desert day” here in the Judean Desert. The weather was sunny and warmer (to be expected here), with highs in the low 80s. We read Psalm 18:1-2 as we left the hotel, focusing on the word the Hebrew word metzada (“fortress”).
Masada
From Kalya, we drove south along the western shoreline of the Dead Sea. The site of Masada (metzada, in Hebrew) was our first site. This was built in the early 30s BC as a palace-fortress (he built numerous others) by Herod the Great. We took the cable car to the top and began seeing the ruins from the 1st century. We saw huge cisterns, the western and northern palaces, the Roman Ramp, the synagogue, and the bathhouse. In 70 AD, this was the location where 967 Jews (according to Joseph’s) found refuge from the Romans following the destruction of the Temple. The holdout lasted about three years until all by five of these Jews (a few women and children) took their own lives. It is a story of bravery and courage! A good number in the group walked down the Snake Path. It took between 30-40 minutes.
Ein Gedi
From here we drove about 20 minutes north of Masada to get to Ein Gedi, one of only a few oasis here in the edge of the Judean Desert. We read from Song of Songs 1, 2 Chronicles 20 (the “Ascent of Ziz”) and 1 Samuel 24 (David hid from Saul here). Because of the repairs to the trail due to flash floods earlier this year, the entire trail back to the last water falls was open! It was wonderful to see this incredible canyon.
Qumran
Qumran is the most important site in Israel because of what was discovered here! When we arrived following our drive from Ein Gedi, we walked directly to the cliff area of the desert to get a glimpse of Cave 6 (one of 12 caves in which fragments of ancient scrolls were discovered). We also saw the beginning of the aqueduct system that brought rain/flood water into the site.
It was here at Qumran where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found! The discovery began in 1947, while the excavation took place through 1956. We walked through the limited ruins where a small community of Essenes lived (or retreated here from Jerusalem, as a new theory suggests). To date, about 930 scrolls and fragments of texts scrolls have been discovered. The scrolls/texts date primarily from the late 3rd century BC – 1st century AD. At the small archaeological site we saw cisterns, ritual baths (mikvot), and the scriptorium. We read from the Essenes’ “Nine Beatitudes” text (“Blessed are you …” it sounds very similar to Jesus’ “Nine Beatitudes.” In front of “Cave 4” (where the majority of texts were found), we read from “Psalm 151,” and Psalm 19. We celebrated the perseverance of God’s Word! We were invited to take joy in God’s Word.
“‘Desert Day’ was wonderful today! We visited Masada (and hiked down), Ein Gedi (and hiked back into the canyon), Qumran (and walked to the cliffs), and the Dead Sea (walked down to the water’s edge). Tonight we are walking to the Western Wall here in Jerusalem!”
Dead Sea
To end the day, we used a public beach to experience the unique sensation of floating in the waters of the Dead Sea. This water is about 33% salt and minerals, making it impossible to sink! After our “float” we rinsed off, changed clothes, and boarded back onto the bus for our final drive to Jerusalem!
Jerusalem/Western Wall
From this Dead Sea area to Jerusalem, it is an ascent of about 4,000 feet! We entered this magnificent city and saw our first glimpse of the Old City (all lit up now since it was dark). We checked into our hotel (the Dan Botique) and enjoyed dinner together. Following dinner, most in the group walked to the Western Wall, the most holy place for Jews today! We are looking forward to our first full day in Jerusalem tomorrow, Israel’s capital!
Day 9 – Sunday, November 15: Mt. of Olives, Garden of Gethsemane, Herodium, Bethlehem
