Friday May 24 Day 7 = Down The Jordan Valley “Bika’a” to the Holy City!

Beit She’an

Gilgal (netiv hagedud)

Kasr El Yehud (Immersion Site)

Genesis Land - Eretz Breishit:

Mount Scopus overlook to view Jerusalem

Shabbat At Kotel (Western Wall)

Shabbat & Shabbat Dinner

Beit She’an (or Bet Shean)

Ancient Beit She'an, located in the Jordan Valley some 30 km. south of Lake Kinneret (Sea of Galilee), was of strategic importance because here the road from Jerusalem northwards met the road from the northern coast eastwards to Transjordan. This strategic position in the fertile Beit She'an valley made it one of the major cities in the Land of Israel.

Beit She'an is one of Israel's richest archeological sites consisting of about 18 successive towns throughout its history. Because the location is between Mount Gilboa and the Gilead mountains within the rift valley, it has access to many water sources including the Jordan River and the various tributaries flowing from Mount Gilboa. Bet Shean has two major archeological sites, which consist of the Tel (archeological mound) and the Greek-Roman city below with some smaller archeological evidence in the Arab and Crusader periods.

Once you hike up to the top of the archeological mound, you will find remains mostly from the Canaanite period. First occupied by the Egyptians during Thutmose III reign in the 15th century BCE, the Tel reveals the remains of an Egyptian administration center and has a replica of the statue of Ramses III. In the 11th century this Tel was captured by the Philistines and remained that way until King David conquered it in the late 10th century. During the reign of King Saul, he set out to war against this Philistine city and eventually met his fate nearby at Mount Gilboa. His body and the bodies of his sons were hung on the Bet Shean walls (1 Samuel 30:1).

Below the Tel was a beautiful city first built by the Greek-Hellenists in the 3rdcentury BCE named Scythopholis, possibly from the Scythian merchants who dwelt there. Later, the Hasmoneans, the Romans, and then the Byzantines added to Beit She'an's gorgeous architecture. You will find a Greek temple, Roman bathhouses, a hippodrome, mosaics, a synagogue, a Roman cardo street with colonnades, and a huge Roman theater seating up to 8000 people. You can watch a short video that will introduce you to the archeological experience and make the history of Israel come alive.

Today Beit She'an is a well-populated modern town with shopping malls, restaurants and coffee houses to enjoy. The outdoor Roman theater is used for concerts featuring famous Israeli music artists and large events.

Gilgal (netiv hagedud)

Meaning = The word gilgal is a compound of two words. Gil means joy, rejoicing, and gladness. Gal means heap, roll, wave, billow, or spring. Note how the essence of this meaning is applied in Joshua 5:9 "'Today I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt.’ And so the name of that place is called Gilgal to this day.”

Biblical Events at Gigal

  • JACOB REUNITES WITH ESAU = Where Jacob (Israel) crossed to reunite with Esau after wrestling with God. (Gen.33)
  • GOD'S PROMISE TO ABRAHAM IS FULFILLED = Where God's 500-year-old promise to Abraham began its literal fulfillment as the children of Israel crossed the Jordan and placed their first official “foot print” in the Promised Land! (Gen.12, 13, 15)
  • FIRST PASSOVER IN THE LAND = Where Joshua and the children of Israel set up camp after crossing the Jordan; where that generation was circumcised; and, celebrated Passover in Israel! (Joshua 4-5)
  • A CONTROVERSIAL ALTAR = Where the 2½ tribes who lived east of the Jordan built a memorial “altar” west of the Jordan to remind all future generations they, too, have a portion in the Lord and in the Land. (Joshua 22)
  • SAUL'S KINGSHIP RENEWED = Where Samuel affirmed and renewed Saul's kingship. (1Sam.10,11)
  • DAVID REAFFIRMED AS KING = Where the people of Judah welcomed David back as king after the death of Absalom. (2Sam.19)

Gilgal was a special location for the people of God to gather for rejoicing, singing, and celebration. They praised the Lord together in circles of corporate dance. Gilgal was always a sacred site for religious services and ceremonies of worship. This is the area where Jacob crossed over to his brother Esau. It's where Joshua encamped, where the manna ceased, and where the people kept the Passover, while eating their first unleavened bread in the Promised Land. Many Bible stories occurred at this ancient site, from David to Elijah.

Gilgal Argaman is an Iron-age ceremonial site in the Jordan valley near Moshav Argaman. It is likely that this site was erected by the Israelites, led by Joshua, and was their first camp after crossing the Jordan. The Gilgal, in the Bible, is not a specific location, rather it is a common name for a camp and religious site. The Gilgal appears in several sites in the Holy Land, and the site where the Israelites first camped after crossing the Jordan is called Gilgal-Jericho (Joshua 4 19): "And the people came up out of Jordan on the tenth day of the first month, and encamped in Gilgal, in the east border of Jericho. And those twelve stones, which they took out of Jordan, did Joshua pitch in Gilgal. And he spake unto the children of Israel, saying, When your children shall ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean these stones? Then ye shall let your children know, saying, Israel came over this Jordan on dry land. For the LORD your God dried up the waters of Jordan from before you, until ye were passed over, as the LORD your God did to the Red sea, which he dried up from before us, until we were gone over: That all the people of the earth might know the hand of the LORD, that it is mighty: that ye might fear the LORD your God forever.".

Gigal’s “Foot Shaped Enclosures”

Joshua’s Alter

Kasr El Yehud (Jordan River Immersion Site)

Qasr el Yahud ("Castle of the Jews") is the official name of a baptism site in the Jordan River Valley, Palestine. It is the western part of the traditional site of the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist (Matthew 3:13-17), in Arabic Al-Maghtas, a name which was historically used for the pilgrimage site on both sides of the river. It is also traditionally considered to be the place where the Israelites crossed the Jordan River, and where Elijah the Prophet split the waters and then ascended to heaven.

Genesis Land - Eretz Breishit:

Biblical reenactments are good fun, but Genesis Land takes the experience to a new level. Meet a caravan of camels led by Eliezer, the servant of Abraham, on the way to the patriarch’s tent. Make the acquaintance of Joseph and his brothers mere minutes before the sibling rivals throw Joseph into the pit. Witness the matchmaking of Isaac and Rebecca by Eliezer, along with other beautiful and familiar stories. Experience the distinguished hospitality of Abraham, and stay overnight in his tent. In the morning, travel as our Biblical ancestors did, and ride on a camel!

Genesis Land (Eretz Breishit in Hebrew) is located in the Judean Desert, not far from Jerusalem. Against the backdrop of the breathtaking desert landscape, Genesis Land recreates the patriarchs’ way of life. Make your own pita and bake it on the fire. Write a letter in ancient Hebrew on parchment scrolls. Create original pottery and mosaics. Ride camels along the ridge overlooking the spectacular riverbed of Wadi Qelt. Explore the Jericho Valley and Judean Desert on a jeep. Join a drumming circle at sunset, and watch the moon rise to the rhythm of the music.

Actors dressed as Biblical figures add unique flavor to this activity. “Abraham” welcomes you to his tent and offers you food and drink. The desert is the stage for Biblical stories which are enacted for you. Guests can don Bedouin-style robes to get into character themselves.

Mount Scopus overlook to view Jerusalem

Mount Scopus (Hebrew “Har HaTsofim” meaning Mount of the Watchmen or Sentinel. A mountain northeast of Jerusalem with an elevation: 2710 feet or above sea level. In the wake of the 1948 Arab–Israeli War, Mount Scopus became a UN-protected Israeli exclave within Jordanian-administered territory until the Six-Day War in 1967. Today, Mount Scopus lies within the municipal boundaries of the city of Jerusalem.

Mount Scopus has been strategically important as a base from which to attack the city since antiquity. The 12th Roman Legion camped there in AD 66. In AD 70, Mount Scopus was used as a base to carry out the final siege of the city, leading to the destruction of the Temple.

Shabbat At Kotel (Western Wall)

Jewish tradition teaches that the world began at the Foundation Stone, which is in the center of the Temple Mount. Also according to Jewish tradition, when Abraham was commanded to prepare his son Isaac for sacrifice, they traveled to the Temple Mount and Isaac was bound at the very spot of the Foundation Stone. “And Abraham called the name of that site ‘God will see,’ as it is said this day, on the mountain God will be seen” Genesis 22:14.

Later, the First and Second Temples were situated on the Temple Mount. When Rome destroyed the Second Temple in 70 C.E., only one surrounding wall of the Temple Mount remained standing (the Western Wall is not part of the original Temple, rather one of the supporting walls for the Temple Mount).

For the Jews, this remnant of what was the most sacred edifice quickly became the central object of yearning in Jewish life. Throughout the centuries, from around the world, Jews made the difficult pilgrimage to the Holy Land and immediately headed for the Western Wall (in Hebrew called “haKotel” meaning simply “The Wall”) to pray to God. The prayers offered at the Western Wall were so heartfelt that gentiles began calling the site the “Wailing Wall.”

During the rebirth of Jewish assertion in the Holy Land, a young Israel fought a bitter War of Independence in which the Western Wall fell into Jordanian hands. For the following nineteen years, from 1948 to 1967, Jews were tragically not permitted to visit the Western Wall. During the Six Day War of 1967, paratroopers led by Motta Gur broke through to the Old City through the Lion’s Gate. The Western Wall and Temple Mount were liberated, the city of Jerusalem was reunified, and the Jewish people were again able to come to the Western Wall to pray. One of the first to reach the Western Wall in the 1967 Six-Day War was Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Dayan, who helped revive a traditional Jewish custom by inserting a written petition into its cracks. It was later revealed that Dayan’s prayer was that a lasting peace “descend upon the House of Israel.”

The massive stones of the Western Wall invite worshipers to pour their hearts out to God, through verbal prayer or hand-written notes that are stuck in-between the cracks of the rock. The wall is both a symbol of destruction, a witness to the Temple that once stood beyond its walls, and the redemption of the Jewish people who have returned to Jerusalem. Millions of visitors, Jews and non-Jews alike, come to the Western Wall every year in order to be moved by and connect to this truly inspirational landmark.

Upon arriving to the Western Wall, one will immediately notice that men and women are separated by a partition. Next, one will notice the many, diverse prayer groups convening at the Wall.

The following is a guide to some of the different groups that you will find at the Western Wall:

Hassidim – Hassidic Judaism, which started in 18th century Europe, is a branch of Orthodox Judaism that focuses on the mystical and spiritual aspects of Judaism. Common practices among Hassidic Jews include frequent immersion in ritual baths (called mikvahs), and the inclusion of wordless melodies in prayer. Many distinct sects of Hassidim exist today, each one with a particular style of dress. Thus, Hassidic Jews can be identified from other types of Jews by their distinct clothing such as long, dark jackets (called bekeshas) and black fur hats (called shtreimels).

Litvacks – Litvacks originally descended from Lithuania but nowadays represent a major stream of Israeli religious Jews. The Litvack community places a strong focus on rational Talmudic study, and their prayer is often serious and focused. Litvacks can be identified by their dress of white shirts, black suits and black hats.

Sepharadim – Sephardi Jews, who all at one point originated from Spain, hail from communities from Morocco to Syria, and Greece to Iran. Much of the traditional dress from these counties has been been lost, but there is still a strong tradition of unique tunes and chanting which were sung in the original communities.

Carlebachers – Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach (1925-1994) was a Jewish musician, Rabbi, teacher and composer who revolutionized Jewish music in the 20th century. Through his music, storytelling and captivating personality, Carlebach reached out and touched people from all walks of life. His influence on Jewish prayer exploded after his death, and his songs can be heard sung enthusiastically at the Western Wall. Close followers of Carlebach can be identified by their bright, hippy clothing and joy in their service to God.
Birthright Participants – In an effort to strengthen Jewish identity and connection to the Jewish people, tens of thousands of young Jews travel to Israel for a free ten-day trip of personal discovery. For most Birthright participants, this is their first time traveling to Israel and experiencing a traditional Shabbat. Birthright participants can be identified by their large groups of young, secular Americans.

Yeshiva Students – A right of passage for many American Jews is to spend a year after graduating high school immersed in Torah study in the Holy Land. Not only does the Western Wall inspire these students in their prayer, but it also serves as a convenient “meeting point” to catch up with friends who are studying at different yeshivas in and around Israel.

Friday Night Prayers = The central prayers for Friday evening are called “Kabbalat Shabbat” or “Welcoming the Shabbat,” which begin with the six psalms 95-99 and 29. The traditional Friday night prayer service has been recited by Jews throughout the world for centuries. Expressions of joy, praise, longing and pain are encapsulated in the prayers. The pinnacle of the Shabbat service is a special prayer called Lecha Dodi. In this prayer, composed by the Kabbalists of Safed in the 16th century, the welcoming of Shabbat is compared to the intense anticipation, joy, love and celebration of a groom welcoming his bride. The words- “Come, my Beloved, to meet the Bride, let us welcome the Shabbat” are repeated in every stanza.

One will notice that every group at the Western Wall sings the Friday night prayer to a different tune and with a different atmosphere. Some are serious, some joyous, some full of song, and some quite and introspective. Incredibly, all are reciting the same prayers which have been adopted around the world and throughout the Diaspora as the liturgy for accepting the Shabbat.

Shabbat & Shabbat Dinner

What is Shabbat? According to the Torah, Shabbat commemorates the day that God rested from creating the world; the word Shabbat literally means “he rested.” Exodus 34:21 states: “Six days you shall work, but on the seventh day you shall rest.” Shabbat is considered a day of peace and holiness. Abraham Joshua Heschel refers to it as a “palace in time.”

How is Shabbat celebrated? Shabbat is celebrated, first and foremost, by observing the holy day as a day of rest from all work. The rabbis delineated 39 categories of work that are forbidden on Shabbat. While some Jews observe these laws strictly, others celebrate Shabbat in their own way, perhaps refraining from some everyday activities (like using the computer or watching TV) or just taking the time to relax and enjoy the day with family.

It is traditional to wear nice clothes on Shabbat, and some people also wear white as a symbol of purity and holiness. Synagogue services on Friday night include kabbalat Shabbat (receiving the Shabbat), where special songs are sung, and Shabbat is invited metaphorically as a “bride” or “queen.” This practice was instituted by the kabbalists, and is a beautiful way to start Shabbat. At home, candles are lit and blessed, and parents bless their children. On Shabbat morning in the synagogue, the Torah is read, and special Shabbat prayers and blessings are included in the liturgy. Shabbat ends on Saturday evening at sundown with the havdalah (separation) ceremony, which marks the transition from the holy day to the rest of the week.