After going through security, we entered the Muslim corridor and climbed the Temple Mount where Soloman and King Herod temples once stood and where the Dome of the Rock and Al Aksa Mosques now stand. This is the second most holy place for Muslims, Mecca being the holiest. Because we were going to be in the area run by Islam, we dressed respectfully and as women, we used our scarves to cover our necklines. We didn't wear them in the fashion of the hijab, but nevertheless, covered up.
Waiting to go through security. Someone has taken pity on the poor cats and left milk for them.
I thought it strange to see a Jewish family exiting out the Islam gates
In light of this
a sneak peak of the Jewish Western well
a prayer place - I think
behind was a stool
This was also a mosque and it was here that we found some shade for those that wanted it, and others like me stood in the sun.
Michael have us the history of the Muslim religion, helped us understand some things that have been misinterpreted and showed us how similar it is to Christianity, at these in their morals and doctrines. And example to me of much more alike we all are than different
If, for some reason, a Jew needed to access the Temple Mount, he was surrounded by security. For his own safety and the sacredness of the site to the Muslim's.
There it is in all it's beautiful glory. It is called the dome of the rock because in there is THE rock that Abraham placed his son Isaac on in preparation of sacrificing him.
Genesis 22: 1-14.
This was the site of the original temple that Jesus taught at in Jerusalem. This is where his parents came back to find Him teaching when He was 12 years old. Temples here have been built and destroyed and built and destroyed and built and so on. I feel a little sad that it's under Islam rule and has become a Muslim mosque because I feel this ground should belong to the Jewish people.
For the devout, a rug is carried on their left shoulder so that when the call for prayer comes, they lay out the run, to kneel and pray on.
Here was an ancient bath that those who were going to enter would cleanse and purify themselves
Looking out towards the Christian corridor
In this section is a school, not long after I took this, we saw some kids running around but I couldn't get a good enough picture.
A view from the other side
I really loved Temple mount and all that we saw and participated in. One can feel it's holiness regardless of one's religion. I feel like we are so much united in spirit than we allow ourselves to be.
After touring this amazing place we exited the section, and walked out to the streets of Old Jerusalem and into the Christian corridor. Holy Smokes! So much to see, so much to take in. To think I was walking the exact same street the Jesus Christ walked was sometimes overwhelming for me.
the very same steps
The Christian corridor in view up ahead
We went into the Sisters of Zion convent and went underground to see where the Savior was tried and picked up His cross.
This stone here is a stone the Roman soldiers would play their games with something similar to dice.
And this. These stones here, where the underground ends, are the same stones that Jesus Christ was tried, found guilty and sentenced to death by Crucifixion. Here, He picked up His cross and began His long walk to Golgotha
We are literally standing on the same stones.
There are very few words to describe how I felt while in there. Sacred, reverent, tenderness, gratitude, appreciation, humbled, and in a small wall, not worthy but in the same sense, so overwhelmingly loved. This was an A site, and I could feel His presence witnessing to me, that all of this was real, and it happened because He loves me.
There were other stops in the Christian Corridor
as noted above, the birth place of Mary, the mother of Jesus
This statue represents Mary as a child with her Mother. So beautiful
It was here that I lit a candle for my own father. He died when I was 14, but he was a devout Catholic and I like to think it made him happy.
This particular site (you can see the writing above the doorway) is where Jesus dropped the cross for the second time and a man named Simon was ordered to help Him.
Luke 23: 26
We reached the gates to the Jewish corridor and again, we went through security and out into a large plaza with the Western Wall, or some call it the Wailing Wall. This is the most sacred place for Jews, when the last Jewish temple that was here was destroyed, all that remained was the portion of the wall. Because they believe the Holy Spirit never left the temple, they come here to worship, pray silently and meditate or even write their prayers and insert them into cracks in the walls, with the believe that here is where the Spirit can access them.
In addition to the security, if the men weren't already wearing a hat of some kind, even baseball cap would do, then they provided them a yarmulke to wear. As women, we were not required to cover our heads, but most of us kept our necklines covered out of respect.
A fence divides the men's part from the women's
little cracks that you put your prayers in
There seemed to be a ceremony of some kind over on the men's side. There were several women standing on chairs to peer over the fence and watch. Obvio, I did too
They had put a shawl around this young girl's head but she shook it off the minute they did. The more I watched her the more stubborn she appeared to be. She certainly is cute!
Mom and me after we both left our prayers
One thing I noticed was that the devout sisters would talk backwards away from the wall until they got to where they had to turn around for safety. I loved their respect of not turning their backs on the wall. And I felt such a sweet spirit there. I love these Jewish women and the faithfulness,
After everyone was finished at the wall we met on an upper area of the plaza and for those of us that wanted, we could climb several stairs to get a great view and see some things up above.
It's hard to tell from this picture, but they fly 6 Israeli flags in honor of the 6 million Jews killed in the Holocaust
I love this city
Mom didn't want to do the fifty billion stairs so just me at the top
a beautiful, HUGE menorah that I saw
of course after such a busy morning with a lot of walking and stairs, my old mormon folk needed a break and some ice cream, This is a little area that we rested in.
That's Jerusalem and our tour buses below
Looking back from the bus
The rocks have been retrieved and are said to the the broken rocks of the original temple when it was destroyed
The rocks are said to be the same ones in Jesus time. This was the ancient walkway
We were able to climb up to an area where they believe the door that Christ used to enter the temple area
These are the same stones he would have stood on
We then loaded the bus and headed to the Shrine of the Book where the dead sea scrolls are held. No pictures were allowed here, but I know that they've done a display here locally at BYU, that many people have attended. The rooms were cold and I was barely getting through them. They were very cool, and thankfully mom had seen them before so it wasn't a long process.
We came out to this beautiful sky
Back to the Dan Hotel for those that were done for the day. They took a busload of us that wanted to go back into Old Jerusalem and do some shopping. Go back to the Old City? Shopping you say?
We hooked up with our BFF's Kerry and Tamera, grabbed Sharon and had SO MUCH FUN!
These stones are over 2000 years old, and some areas were slippery and uneven, you really had to be careful
Most of the shops were like this one, cut right into the rock, like a cave
Shopping was really a blast. Kerry is so funny and outgoing and there were some shopkeepers who just sat on the doorsteps smoking. So much smoke! One was smoking not from a cigarette but a bong like thing. Kerry threw his arm around him and asked if he was smoking the "hashish" The man nodded and offered the pipe to Kerry who said, "Nah, thanks brother, we'll be back tomorrow"
Mom found a beautiful authentic widow's mite. They are good to give you certificates of authenticity when warranted. Other wise, it was usually a replica or even something made in China. Speaking of which. Tamera and Kerry are so kind hearted, Tami noticed something outside a shop and went to look closer. I turned my head and the next thing I knew she was IN the shop and stuck with the shop owner. I went in with the intent to rescue her by being firm and well......one thing led to another and before we knew it,, we both walked out with an item and only spending 5 bucks when he wanted 20 a piece. Still spent more than it was worth and neither of us have any idea of what to do with it.
elephants. on a string. with a bell at the end.
Now looking at it, it almost seems like a cat toy.
*sigh* Oh well, the baby likes to play with it, and ......elephants. It was certainly funny experience
We just wandered around, bought things and then made sure to be at the right gate and the right time so we didn't get left and have to call a cab. Which did happen to our friends Dean and Joan.
We went back to the hotel for dinner and that night our table with our besties was particularly loud with laughing all evening. Enough that others asked what we were drinking! I think if might have been second hand hashish smoke :)
Laying with my thoughts that night, I could hardly believe all that we did. It was all so amazing and not one thing I didn't simply love. Looking at the next day's itinerary though, it was going to get even better. The last days of Jesus Christ with two A sites up.
1 comment:
Great trip and very beautiful, detailed account of it!
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