Israel Day 2 & 3 by Richard Leavitt

"This is going to be a challenge," Richard

Our days are so full, I just didn't have the moxie to write last night. I don't tonight either, but here goes.

Yesterday:

If I over-emphasized the dinner last night, I apologize, but breakfast at our hotel only continued the tradition. No one will starve for lack of choices, quantity, or variety. This is going to be a challenge.

Our first stop was Shiloh, where the tabernacle resided for 369 years. It was an incredible experience, standing in the likely spot where the Ark was placed over two millennial  earlier. There were still remnants of walls that likely defined the space. I say "likely" because there is much archaeological evidence to determine the location but not enough yet to confirm it. 

An active excavation in Shiloh

There is active excavation and sifting through artifacts going on, and I hope one of the posted photos shows the activity. Rabbi Dardik's goal of having us experience the past in the present certainly was realized. I mean, here we were, standing in the same place where our forbears stood, in a holy place. You could close your eyes and imagine you were back then, countless generations ago. It reminded me of another Shiloh, the Civil War battlefield where I also once stood, another hallowed ground.

The Three Tenors

Rabbi Rozen met us and accompanied us to Shiloh as he lives close by. He looks great and sends his best. It was a treat to see him.

Then on to the banks of the Jordan River, actually more of a stream because so much water has been diverted upstream. Still, the waters flowed and we again stood in the place our forbears crossed into Israel, this time looking from inside out. We witnessed some folks, likely Christians, baptizing themselves in the river. The Jordan has different meanings to different people, and it had special meaning to us.

Shulie, our fabulous guide

Shuly, our incredible guide and teacher, and Rabbi Dardik, our other incredible guide and teacher, filled in much detail about each place, the religious meanings, archaeological significance, geographic details and relevance today. The bus rides to and from each location are mobile classrooms. Lots of questions, lots of answers.

Heading across the Jordean desert on ATVs
Hot, windy, very exciting!

Finally, our last event of the day, on ATV's, a kidney-jarring, bone-crushing overland trek to a hand-dug, Bedouin cistern in the hills of Judea. Rain is scarce in these parts, and these large, subterranean cavern which they lined with mortar to prevent leakage into the surrounding soil. Modern Bedouins who live near the highway have their water trucked in, but those living in the outback use ancient methods. On our way to the cistern, we passed a Bedouin shepherd and his donkey, tending his flock of goats. Old and new, donkey and ATV, in the same location, adding to our experience of then and now.

Finally, another feast. I'll spare you the details!

Today:

Emek Ekah - Where David fought Goliath

Off to Elan valley where David and Goliath squared off. From our teachers, we learned more about David and how such a plucky youngster became the champion of the Israelites. We learned about who the Philistines were, where they came from, the rivalry for control of the land and what happened after David slew Goliath.

Then to another example of water conservation, this time by the Israelites, using the same principles as the Bedouins. Grazing and farming land has always been important, but we are acutely aware of the vital importance of water, both then and now. You don't carry enough water, you don't make it. We have seen how ingenious the Israelis are in developing methods of water conservation, efficient usage, reclamation and desalinization.

We had lunch at a kibbutz, a real oasis, saw photos of how it had developed and prospered since its founding in 1947, and saw a re-creation of ancient methods of olive oil extraction and production. No part of the olive went to waste and thousands upon thousands of liters were produced, put in containers and exported.

The Syrian king's record of the many countries he conquered -
but of the king of Jerusalem he only says he
'shut him up like a bird in a cage.'
that is he laid siege to the city but could not conquer it.
— at Israel Museum, Jerusalem.

Last stop, the Israel Museum in Jerusalem. Some went for the archaeological exhibit, others went for the Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit. Others went for the canteen. There is a 1:50 display of the ancient Old City, quite detailed and beautifully done, we could compare then and now.

Then a lovely al fresco dinner at a local restaurant. Did I say dinner? I have more sympathy for the geese of fois gras now.

It's tomorrow now, and I must get some rest before our ascent of Masada in the morning.

Best from all of us to all of you.

RL

To view all our pictures....click here and don't forget to leave a comment...especially those who were on this incredible trip -- please tell us your thoughts when you were there!