Jerusalem Day 3

Our first glimpse of the Western Wall

partitioned for men and women

We started our next day off early going to the Dome of the Rock.

The Dome of the Rock has significance for Muslim, Jewish, and Christian faiths.

This was the site of Solomon's Temple (1000 to 586 BC) which was destroyed and later replaced by the Jewish Second Temple  (516 BC - 70 AD)  by Herod the Great.  The Romans destroyed it in 70 AC and the site was overtaken by the Muslims.  The  Jews believe this is the only site they can have a Holy Temple and worship at it's Western Wall, all that what remains.  Jews are not allowed near the Dome of the Rock.

The Dome of the Rock covers the Foundation Stone which the temple was built over.

This stone bears great significance in the Abrahamic religions as the place where God created the world and the first human, Adam.  It is also believed to be the site where Abraham attempted to sacrafice his son, Isaac, and as the place where God's divine presence is manifested more than in any other place, towards which Jews turn during prayer.

The site also has great significance for Muslims believe the rock is the spot where Muhammad ascended to Heaven accompanied by the angel Gabriel and taken to pray with Abraham, Moses and Jesus.  

We got in trouble for touching on the grounds. 

Here we kept our distance

I was so amazed by the Orthodox Jews

books provided for study at the wall

Many Jews come here for family photos and the women are
dressed to the nines with fancy wigs

BYU Jerusalem Center

Doesn't mention Christ's name, 

BYU Jerusalem provides weekly musical concerts free to the public.
They are not allowed to proselyte but give tours of the center.
I like that the center holds their church services on Saturday
which is considered Sabbath here.

These are 4 maps of what Jerusalem looked like throughout history

Olive Press

We stopped at an old tomb thought to hold Old Testament Prophets.

A tour through the Jewish side of Jerusalem

Kosher

Bethlehem, Jericho and Dead Sea

On Wednesday, we took a day tour to the Palestinian side to see Bethlehem, 

Jericho and the Dead Sea.

Church built on traditional location of Angel appearing to shepherds

Far far away on Judea plain. 2k years after the fact so lots of
buildings, developments, etc since.

This picture was outside an olive wood shop.

This was inside a shepherds' cave in Bethlehem.  They informed us that this is what typically housed animals and likely what Jesus was born in, the real manger was probably in a cave. 





We then went to where they have transported the "supposed manger" where Jesus was born and built a church around it.  The line to go inside the manger was 2 hours.  We went inside the church but not the manger. 

Entry to the Church of the Nativity, a Byzantine site.

Mosaic on the floor

Israeli West Bank barrier with Banksy grafftti art.

On the road to Jericho

Jericho

Remains of ancient cities. 

23 civilizations going back over 9k years.

 

Mt Nebo is supposed to be on the other side in the distance (Jordan).
Where Moses was burried.

Traditional site of where Christ was tempted 
by Satan up in the mountains.

                                                        Archeological dig

Elijah Well  

Based on biblical account of waters bring cleansed.

Dead Sea

It absolutely did not disappoint.  The salt stung any cuts and and lifted us up as if we were on a raft.

Salt in the mud

Ryan saw me eyeing the camel like a little kid.  

He said, "You want a ride don't you." What could be cooler?