Israel Trip 2006, Day 4 (2/23)

Our day on Thursday began with a beautiful, picture-postcard view of the city from the Mount of Olives.

Below us stretched the sacred cemetaries and the ancient walls of Jerusalem. The Golden Dome of the Dome of the Rock glittered in the crisp, beautiful morning sun. From there we went through the Dung gate and made our way up to the Temple Mount. We saw the El Aqsa Mosque (only from the outside as non-muslims are no longer allowed inside) and learned of the building of the First and Second Temples, the reconstruction by Herod and the destruction in the years 70 CE by the Romans. We proceeded to the Kotel Western Wall, taking time to place our prayers in the ancient cracks. We also visited the Southern excavations of the Davidson Center walking on the Herodian road, climbing the southern steps at the Hulda gate.

Lunch in the Arab Quarter was delicious. Abu Shukr has some of the best hummus in the world. Nearby the first 5 stations of the cross on the Via Dulurosa in where Jesus carried his cross to his crucifixion.

We visited a new museum - nearby the Western Wall - the Chain of the Generations - an art exhibition and multimedia exhibition about Jewish history. We then explored the Jewish Quarter, taking time to explore the beautiful shops in the cacao. We ended our visit to the old city with a stop at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre - the place of crucifixion and burial of Jesus - the last stops of the way of the cross.

We returned to our hotel for a presentation by Anat Hoffman of the Israel Religious Action Center. They do amazing civil rights work in Israel for pluralism, religious liberty, and social justice.

Shalom,
Rabbi Eger

Posted by Lee at February 23, 2006 10:47 AM