Things which make me stop and think while travel across Israel.

wildstrawberry (32)in #travel • 7 years ago

Last month I traveled to Israel for just few days. I have seen places which I think most people, who went there visit. Like Jerusalem or Timna Park, nothing unusual for tourists. But some of them make me think for a bit and I want to share.

1. Chapel of the Ascension, Jerusalem

This is very small chapel on the Mount Olives. It is believed that Jesus ascended into Heaven in this spot and inside you can see stone with His footprint. I was very surprised that this footprint is only thing to see there. The chapel is very small and inconspicuous. No frescoes, no mosaics, no golden paint. I would never imagine that one of the most holy places will look like that. Last year I was in Vatican, where size and magnificence of churches was almost overwhelming. What a contrast! And even when I never had seen St. Peter's Basilica I would be astonish, because in Poland even in small towns there are far more splendid chapels and churches. Other basilicas and churches in Jerusalem are also far more modest then Vatican. That really made me wonder if Catholics in Europe are too much about money.

That's the difference

2. Masada

To say that Masada is ancient fortification on 400 m cliffs is like saying nothing. Place and its story is fascinating (and maybe a RPG scenario inspiration). First of all it was not only fortification, it was whole complex with houses, storerooms but also luxury two palaces (Northern Palaces had three levels), hot rooms, bathhouses and swimming pools. Yes swimming pools on a top of the mountain on the desert! So there were also big water cisterns with rain water collection system. Masada was built by Herod the Great between 37 and 31 BCE. What an impressive man!

The second impressive man in the story of Masada was Lucius Flavius Silva, roman commander. At the end of First Jewish–Roman War, Jewish rebels (Zealots) hided at Masada from Romans. Silva had to capture rebels, but siege was hopeless because Masada was stocked too well. How to attack fortress on 400 m cliffs? Of course by building a ramp! They build ramp to Masadas western wall in probably less then tree months. Silva would had spectacular victory, but there is third man in this story.

Eleazar ben Ya'ir commanded Zealots. When the roman breach the wall and rebel's situation got beyond hope he inspired his people to commit mass suicide. When Romans enter fortress they find nothing but almost thousand of bodies. They did this because, the had sworn never to be servants. In Israel they become a symbol of heroism, and that's the reason why the Masada is the site of military ceremonies. For me this is so hard to relate, in my mindset religion + mass suicide = dangerous sect.

I recommend reading the whole story or watching old TV miniseries about Masada.