ISRAEL – DAY 5
We left Jerusalem on September 22 and headed for the northern part of Israel. We drove through the West Bank as we headed towards the Jordan River. The West Bank has three areas – area A is controlled by the Palestinians; area B is under Israeli control; area C is under joint control of the Palestinians who are responsible for civic rule and the Israelis who are responsible for security.
This is a group of people saying mass on the Jordan side of the River Jordan.
My niece dipping her toe in the Jordan River.
My nephew dipping his hand in the Jordan River.
Yours truly dipping my hand in the Jordan River.
The extended family in front of the Jordan River. Note that the river is not very wide.
We left the Jordan River and headed to Jericho. Jericho is a thriving city as it has a sub-tropical climate. It is under Palestinian rule and its residents are very laid back compared to Bethlehem.
View of Jericho from the bus.
This tree is called a Zaccheus tree after the biblical Zaccheus who was so short, he had to climb a tree to see Jesus.
This is the Mountain of Temptation where Christ was when he was tempted for forty days and forty nights. The Monastery of Quadrantal (far left building in the sandstone colour) was subsequently built on what is considered a holy site.
My brother enjoying a leisurely camel ride.
We then headed to the archaeological site of Bet She’an which was destroyed by an earthquake about 700 years after the crucifixion. No one was killed in the earthquake as the citizens recognized in the elements that there was something wrong and left the city.
View of the site from the top of the hill.
Part of a Roman theatre at the site.
Part of the ruins still being excavated. The two dark coverings in the background of the picture are where archaeologists are working. Note the size of the fallen columns.
My niece and nephew on one of the fallen columns.
A close up of some of the fallen columns.
A view of a typical Roman main street.
We then made our way to Nazareth with our first stop being at the Church of the Annunciation which was built to replace the small church which was there after a visit from the Pope circa 1964. The church is dedicated to Mary and there are many ‘art works’ donated by countries around the world to commemorate Mary. It’s interesting to see how Mary is represented by the many countries.
This is the front of the Church of the Annunciation.
Some of the artwork donated by some of the countries is mounted on the exterior walls in the compound.
The door to the church was donated by The Netherlands.
Part of the interior of the church.
Close up of the site of “The Cave” believed to be where the annunciation took place.
More artwork donations mounted on the interior walls.
Canada’s contribution.
The USA’s contribution
Japan’s contribution.
In contrast to the Church of the Annunciation dedicated to Mary, this is the Church of St. Joseph dedicated to Joseph. No artwork on the walls
A beautiful Ficus tree which is on the grounds of the complex.
We then went to visit a small synagogue in the little town of Safed. This is a picture of the Ark behind curtains.
These are old books in the synagogue which must be destroyed but they are kept until a certain time then they are destroyed during a ceremony.
And so ended day 5 of our trip. We overnighted at a kibbutz hotel where we would spend two nights. The hotel has been bought from the commune and is now privately owned but many of the kibbutz residents still live around the hotel.
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