Author Archives: Israelfortourists

Jesus and Capernaum

Jesus Forgives a Paralyzed Man and heals him -

Upon Jesus’ re-entry of the village of Capernaum, the people gathered, in large numbers, so as to listen to his preaching.

Jesus had been introduced to a paralyzed man, carried by other men, as he couldn’t walk. Tradition ahs it that due to the large crows, they could nt reach Jesus so they had come up with a plan by which they made a hole in the roof, right above Jesus, hence lowering the man who was lying on a mattress.

When Jesus felt these people’s true faith, he told the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”
Some people in the crowd thought that Jesus was blaspheming! The only one able to forgive sins is God alone.
Jesus knew what their thoughts were, and told them that he firmly believed that men have the authority -on earth – to forgive sins.

By standing up to his belief and then by walking away, Jesus portrayed his strengths, his true belief and his mission on earth.
Capernaum has been connected to this traditional story, as well as to others, up until these very days.

  

The Mahraqa

Mount Carmel is a summit ridge, rising to a height of 474 meters above sea level. It is located near the city of Haifa, overlooking the Mediterranean sea. 
 
According to Biblical roots, this is the exact confrontation spot at which Prophet Elijah had confronted the prophets of Ba'al, when fire came down from heaven and had chosen/accepted only Elijah's sacrifice.

These days, a monastery resides on this same ridge, called "The Monastery the fire place”. It is a Carmelite monastery. 

Geographically, the summit is located on the southern side, east of the Carmel, near the Druze village Dalit-el-Carmel.

The ancient Arabic pronunciation of the name is Dir-el-Mahraqa. 

In the 19th century, the Carmelite order had purchased the land in order to re-build the monastery, on its holy location. The monastery had been harmed during WW 1 and 2 but in recent years (in the 1960th) had been refurbished. 

A large stone monument of the prophet Elijah is placed in the gardens of the monastery. Other monuments have been sculptured throughput the years and placed in the gardens as well.

The scenery of the landscape of the sea, as well as the Jesreel valley and the Galilee - is breathtaking; especially from the roof of the monastery. 

The surrounding of the ridge is also convenient for picnics, strolls in the forest and hiking. 

By Bus, it is best to reach the Druze village of Dalit-el-Carmel (line 022 i.e.) and via taxi from there, or by car.

Opening hours: 

Sundays- closed 
September-April: Monday-Saturday 0800-1230; 1430-1830
April-November: 0800-1200; 1430-1700

  

The church of Dominus Flevit

The church of Dominus Flevit (“The master cried”) in Jerusalem is a beautiful Catholic-Franciscan church, that had been built on the ruins of a Byzantine church, in 1955; to commemorate Jesus’ crying when he looked at Jerusalem and realized that the city is about to lose itself to hatred, self-destruction and violence.

The church is situated on the Mount of Olives, overlooking a marvelous view of Jerusalem.
In addition, a unique cemetery of the first century had been excavated, in the church’s compound.
The shape of the church had deliberately been designed at the shape of tear; to emphasize its meaning.

The church had been designed by the Italian Architect, Antonio Berlucci.
The church is accessible to the handicapped and entrance is free of charge.

Opening hours every day between: 0830-1700
Telephone: +972-2-6266455
It is advised to call before arrival

  

​Jerusalem; Jewish history in a nutshell

For more than 3,000 years, the Jewish people have looked up to Jerusalem as their spiritual, historical and political capital, even at times at which they themselves did not live or rule over the city.

The Jewish story of Jerusalem had started in the Biblical (the Old Testament) roots, in year 1,004 BCE, when King David declared the city to be the capital of the first Jewish kingdom.

David’s son and successor, famous King Solomon, was the one to build the First Temple, as a holy place to worship  God.

However, history wasn’t kind to the Jewish people. Some Four hundred years after the completion of the temple, the Babylonians (early ancestors of today’s Iraqis) seized and destroyed the city, forcing the Jews into exile.

Fifty years later, the Jews, or Israelites as they were called, were permitted to return home, once Persia (present-day’s Iran) conquered Babylon.

The Jews’ first act in return was to reclaim Jerusalem as their capital and rebuild the Holy Temple, recorded in history as the Second Temple.

During the First and Second Temple periods, Jews throughout the kingdom would travel to Jerusalem three times a year for the pilgrimages of the Jewish holidays such as Sukkot, Passover, and Shavuot, until the Roman Empire destroyed the Second Temple in 70 AD.

This act had ended Jewish sovereignty over Jerusalem for the next 2,000 years. During this long time period and no matter where Jews have lived, their thoughts and prayers were always directed toward Jerusalem.

The Jewish people had never relinquished their bond to neither Jerusalem nor to the Land of Israel. Although most of the Jews had been expelled out of Israel, a minority had stayed on, mainly in Jerusalem (even when others had actually controlled the city).

Throughout history, Jews had tried to return to the land in order to live in the Holy Land, settling in four holy cities: Safed, Tiberias, Hebron, and most importantly– Jerusalem.

The modern Zionistic movement of the eighteen eighties had encouraged European Jews to move to Israel; consequently, the number of Jewish inhabitants, mainly in Jerusalem, had grown rapidly.

The Israeli independence war had broken out in 1948 and the Jewish semi-assembled army had overcome the Arab forces that had attacked.

Further to the UN declaration, the land of Israel had been established.

Jerusalem is a city of worship for Christianity, Judaism and Islam. It is also a city at which citizens live alongside each other.

Nowadays, Jerusalem is a modern city, with advanced commute possibilities, a vast growing night-life variety, marketplaces and a unique Hi-Tech industry.

Jerusalem, being the official capital of Israel, embodies all major governmental institutions; the Knesset- house of Parliament, houses of the president and the Prime minister- all set in the same vicinity.

It combines old and new, ancient and modern.

It is a fascinating city to explore, visit and live in.

  

Neil Young -to perform in Israel, July 17, 2014

Neil Young , famous Rock & Roll artist, will arrive in Israel for a special performance in Tel-Aviv’s Hayarkon Park, on July 17, 2014 with his band “the Crazy Horse”.

The show is called “The Past, the Present and the Future with Neil Young and Crazy Horse.”

This will be Young’s second performance in Israel, following the 1993 show at the Caesarea Amphitheater.

  

Do you like Pancakes?

If you do.. …then you have got to visit Abu–Ashraf’s unique place in the city of Nazareth, where they make the best pancakes in the world!

Abu-Ashraf prepares everything by himself and calls it “KATAIYF”.

It is a dish that is usually being served during the Ramadan fasting period, but here you will find it on a daily basis.

IT’s delicious; do not miss it!

The old city of Nazareth,
Tel. +972-4-657-8697

Click here for the landing page 

  

Jerusalem – Jaffa Gate

Jaffa Gate (also called Sha'ar Yafo- in Hebrew), is one of eight ancient gates of the historic walls of the Old City of Jerusalem. 

The gate had also been named as the "Gate of the Friend"; or the "Gate of the Prayer". 

Jaffa Gate is the only one of the Old City gates' that had been positioned at a right angle to the wall.  

Why so? 

It could have been done due to defensive measures, so as to slow down any incoming attackers –or– to guide travelers into the direction of the Jaffa Road – the main road that had led, back then, pilgrims on their journey to and from the port of Jaffa, from Tel-Aviv to Jerusalem. 

It is assumed that both Jaffa Gate and Jaffa Road had been named after the port of Jaffa, a port that had been of immense importance during ancient times.  

Tradition-wise and based on the Bible (the Old Testament), Prophet Jonah had embarked on his sea journey from Jaffa port. Most pilgrims have arrived on their route to the Holy City via Jaffa port and gate, for many years. 

Today, Highway 1, that connects Jerusalem and Tel-Aviv, runs on these very same grounds, leading to Jaffa gate. 

Several other names of the gate are have been known as: 

The Gate of the Friend- according to Islam, the gate is named for Abraham, God's beloved son, who was buried in Hebron (nearby). Hence, the gate is also called "Hebron Gate". 

Another name is "David's Gate", in honor of King David. 

The gate's stones are large, sand-colored blocks. The entryway is nearly 20 feet (6 meters) high and the wall rises another 20 feet above that. 

Watch the Jaffa-Gate video on our VIdeo channel

 

  

An ancient curse-plate

Did you hear of an ancient Curse-plates? 

Recently, a small ancient plate was dug at the Archaeological digs in the city of David, in Jerusalem.

This plate, 1,700 tears old, was a curse-plate that had been probably summoned by a woman by the name of Kirilla who wished to curse a man called Yanis. The curse-plate, written in Greek, had been prepared by a professional wizard!

Attached photo is courtesy of Ynet and AllAboutJerusalem.Com.