Yesterday on day 3, we explored the Dead Sea region. Today we spent the whole day inside the Old City, with a short walk outside the city walls.
Jerusalem…three thousand years of history and eternally young. Strolling on 2000 year old pavements or a lively pedestrian mall, Jerusalem is simultaneously an open air museum and a vibrant, modern city, where the past is alive amidst the present. The unique character of Jerusalem tantalizes the senses. It is in the golden aura of the setting sun reflecting from every building, in the black-clad men and boys with side curls hurrying to the synagogue, in the mingling sounds of tolling church bells and the muezzin calling the faithful to prayer, and in the bustle of people going about their normal business in the most extraordinary city in the world.
In Biblical times Jews fulfilled the injunction to make offerings at the Temple on three feast days, and it was the Passover that brought Jesus to the city at the end of His earthly life. According to tradition, Mohammed’s night ride to heaven to receive the Koran started from the Temple Mount. All three monotheistic religions are interwoven into the fabric of the city, each revering and making pilgrimage to its various holy sites: Jews to the Western Wall, Moslems to the Temple Mount, and Christians to the many sites where Jesus walked and ministered to the people. Today, sites central to all 3 monotheistic faiths were seen. We explored Jerusalem with you.
Here was our itinerary for day 4:
1- We started today on Temple Mount. This is the location of Solomon’s Temple, and 1000 years later, Herod’s Temple. Jesus visited this location many times during his growing up years and during his public ministry. Now this site is under total Muslim control and is the 3rd holiest site in Islam, after Mecca and Medina.
- here is a short 1 minute video that shares the importance of this location to all three monotheistic religions. http://jerusalem.com/videos/temple_mount_jerusalem
- check out the short 3 minute video that focuses on the Muslim aspect of Temple Mount http://jerusalem.com/videos/temple_mount_al_haram_al_sharif We can't get into the buildings on Temple Mount because we aren't Muslim, so this video will let you see what is inside.
2- We left the Temple Mount and headed right next door to the Pool of Bethesda. Read John 5 and see how Jesus healed the paralytic at this location, and then went to the Temple Mount area right next door.
3- Our third stop was at the Western Wall…the most holy site in Judaism since Jews can’t worship on Temple Mount. This spot is holy to the Jews because it is the closest spot they can worship to the where the Holy of Holies was located in the Temple.
- check out the 1 minute video on the Western Wall. We'll stop here to talk about Jewish worship customs. http://jerusalem.com/videos/the_kotel_western_wall
4- After a lunch break in the Old City we headed to the City of David, right outside the current city walls. This in one of my favorite sites and is the location of the some of the oldest ruins of Jerusalem. This is the area David captured from the Jebusites and made his capital over all of Israel. We spent a few hours here, and end our visit by walking through Hezekiah’s tunnel. Are you ready for a little water walking in the dark? You will not find a more authentic site in all of Israel.
- here is a 1 minute video of the Jewish Quarter, where we will find lunch http://jerusalem.com/videos/jewish_quarter_jerusalem
- Check out this quick 90 second video on the City of David. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZhFteuv9Is#aid=P8q-5uo1PHA
5- After dinner at the hotel we have a special evening event. These tickets are hard to get, so pray we can be confirmed. We will enter the Western Wall tunnels and walk parallel to the Temple Mount, all underground. Don’t worry…this is ventilated and well lit…and dry. You will be amazed at the size and scope of the building project Herod undertook to construct the Temple. Jesus would have walked these streets many times, and now they are under the Muslim Quarter.
- one last 3 minute video on the history of the tunnels http://jerusalem.com/videos/western_wall_tunnels_opening_model
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