Trip to Germany and Austria

Day at the Kibbutz and THE WEDDING Last Day in Eliat

We spent the day safe and sound on the Kibbutz - last night was the wedding and we all just went to the pool and enjoyed a leisurely day - also because of the terrorist attacks on the way to Eilat we did not want to go on the roads -

The wedding was so beautiful I was one of the witnesses who signed the Ketuba - A ketubah (Hebrew: כתובה ; "document"; pl. ketubot) is a special type of Jewish prenuptial agreement. It is considered an integral part of a traditional Jewish marriage, and outlines the rights and responsibilities of the groom, in relation to the bride. Being a witness on this very special agreement is significant and an unbelievable honor and I was so touched by this gesture.


The bride and groom got married under the chuppah ;

Customs

Chuppa at a synagogue in Toronto, Canada

A traditional chuppah, especially within Orthodox Judaism, recommends that there be open sky exactly above the chuppah.^[3] If the wedding ceremony is held indoors in a hall, sometimes a special opening is built to be opened during the ceremony. Many Hasidim prefer to conduct the entire ceremony outdoors.

[edit]History and legal aspects

The word chuppah originally appears in the Hebrew Bible (e.g., Joel 2:16; Psalms 19:5). Abraham P. Bloch states that the connection between the term chuppah and the wedding ceremony 'can be traced to the Bible'; however, 'the physical appearance of the chuppah and its religious significance have undergone many changes' since then.^[4]

In biblical times, a couple consummated their marriage in a room.^[5] In Talmudic times, the room where the marriage was consummated was called the chuppah.^[6]

This article is about the rest day in Judaism. For Sabbath in the Bible, see Biblical Sabbath. For the Talmudic tractate, see Shabbat (Talmud). For other uses, see seventh-day Sabbath and first-day Sabbath.

We will attach pictures at a later date - I am writing now on Friday afternoon and Shabbat is closing in which means most everything will not be functioning. 

Shabbat (Hebrew: שַׁבָּת, Modern Shabbat Tiberian Šabbāṯ, Ashkenazi pronunciation: Shabbos, Yiddish: שבת [ˈʃabəs], in English:the Sabbath, "rest" or "cessation") is the seventh day of the Jewish week and a day of rest in Judaism. Shabbat is observed from a few minutes before sunset on Friday evening until a few minutes after the appearance of three stars in the sky^[1] on Saturdaynight. The exact times, therefore, differ from week to week and from place to place, depending on the time of sunset at each location. In polar areas where there is no sunrise or sunset at certain times of the year, a different set of rules applies.

Shabbat candles.

On Shabbat Jews recall the Biblical Creation account in Genesis, describing God creating the Heavens and the Earth in six days and resting on the seventh. It also recalls the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai, when God commanded the Israelite nation to observe the seventh day and keep it holy.

Shabbat is considered a festive day, when a Jew is freed from the regular labors of everyday life, can contemplate the spiritual aspects of life, and can spend time with family. Traditionally, three festive meals are eaten: on Friday night, Saturday morning, and late Saturday afternoon. The day is also noted for those activities prohibited on Shabbat according to halakha (Jewish law).

Tomorrow we are heading out to Eilat and will be visiting and going to a beautiful spot called the Dolphin Reef which has relaxing pools to enjoy the Sea - 

Surrounded by a lush, green botanical garden are three heated pools - the first is deep, with sea water, the second, shallow with soft fresh water (rain water), and the third with salt water with absolute flotation. The special atmosphere and surroundings, underwater music and the “relaxation techniques” demonstrated by the staff, all add to the unique and special experience.

Saturday we leave for home - 

we hope everyone enjoyed our journey - 

Love Bruce and Marilyn

Dead Sea visit and our arrival at Kibbutz Ketura

Wednesday morning August 17th we all headed out (11 of us) heading to the Dead Sea and Kibbutz Ketura.  Dead Sea was the first stop of our day - The surface of the Dead Sea is over 1,300 feet below sea level. The very bottom of the sea, in the deepest part, is over 2,300 feet below sea level. The Dead Sea has some of the most saline water on earth; as much as 35% of the water is dissolved salts! That's almost six times as salty as the ocean! The Dead Sea is completely landlocked and it gets saltier with increasing depth. The surface, fed by the River Jordan, is the least saline. Down to about 130 feet (40 meters), the seawater comprises about 300 grams of salt per kilogram of seawater. That's about ten times the salinity of the oceans. Below 300 feet, though, the sea has 332 grams of salt per kilogram of seawater and is saturated. Salt precipitates out and piles up on the bottom of the sea.

There are no fish or any kind of swimming, squirming creatures living in or near the water. There are, however, several types of bacteria and one type of algea that have adapted to harsh life in the waters of the Dead Sea. What you'll see on the shores of the Sea is white, crystals of salt covering EVERYTHING. And this
is no ordinary table salt, either. The salts found in the Dead Sea aremineral salts, just like you find in the oceans of the world, only in extreme concentrations. The water in the Dead Sea is deadly to most living things. Fish accidentally swimming into the waters from one of the several freshwater streams that feed the Sea are killed instantly, their bodies quickly coated with a preserving layer of salt crystals and then tossed onto shore.

Unfortunately Bruce gave me the responsibility of taking his picture floating in the Dead Sea and believe me when I tell you the only reason you would float in the Dead Sea is for the picture.  Hopefully someone else in our group took a better picture than I did!

We arrived at the Kibbutz late in the afternoon and it was 105 degrees - but as everyone says it is dry heat ! but I can tell you for sure that is was very warm - we are staying in guest houses and there is air conditioning! - In the evening was a pre wedding bbq - delicious!!!  The bride and groom were thrown in the pool - and we are relaxed and got to bed early!  

The name of the Kibbutz is Kibbutz Ketura which was founded by a small group of young North Americans, graduates of the Young Judaea Year-In-Israel Course, at the close of the Yom Kippur War in November 1973. The first years of the kibbutz's existence were marked by great difficulties and frustrations, leading many of the founders to leave. In time, the core group of these who remained were joined by other Young Judaeans, a variety of immigrants, and graduates of the Israeli Scout movement. As Ketura grew, a more stable lifestyle was created, and the members began raising families in this, their new home. Today, Ketura has grown to be the second largest settlement in the region, with 140 members and candidates and over 147 children. One-third of the members are native Israelis; the majority of the immigrants come from English-speaking countries, with a smaller number from Europe and the former USSR.

Yad Vashem and The tour under the Western Wall

Today is Tuesday our last full day in Jerusalem - tomorrow we head out in the morning going to the Dead Sea and then on to Kibbutz Ketura which is very close to Eilat and this is where the wedding is going to be and we will be staying on the Kibbutz for three nights  - but today was a solemn day as we visit Yad Vashem which is the Holocaust Memorial Museum and one of the reasons that Israel is so important for the continuance of Jewish Life without being threatened.

"And to them will I give in my house and within my walls a memorial and a name (a "yad vashem")... that shall not be cut off."

(Isaiah, chapter 56, verse 5)

As the Jewish people’s living memorial to the Holocaust, Yad Vashem safeguards the memory of the past and imparts its meaning for future generations. Established in 1953, as the world center for documentation, research, education and commemoration of the Holocaust, Yad Vashem is today a dynamic and vital place of intergenerational and international encounter.

For over half a century, Yad Vashem has been committed to four pillars of remembrance:

The woman I am in the picture with- this museum means a lot to her - Her both parents survived the holocaust in concentration camps - finding each other when the camps were liberated.  Their sons were killed but they both lived and now she is here in Israel with her family and we are going to a wedding of her youngest son Ben.

Our next stop today was the Tunnels under the Western Wall The Western Wall Tunnel (Hebrew: מנהרת הכותל‎, translit.: Minheret Hakotel) is an underground tunnel exposing the full length of theWestern Wall. The tunnel is adjacent to the Western Wall and is located under buildings of the Old City of Jerusalem, Israel. While the open-air portion of the Western Wall is approximately 60 metres (200 ft) long, the majority of its original length is hidden underground. The tunnel allows access to an additional 485 metres (1,591 ft) of the wall.

The tunnel exposes a total length of 485 m of the wall, revealing the methods of construction and the various activities in the vicinity of the Temple Mount.^[1] The excavations included many archaeological finds along the way, including discoveries from the Herodian period (streets, monumental masonry), sections of a reconstruction of the Western Wall dating to the Umayyad period, and various structures dating to the Ayyubid, Mamluke and Hasmonean periods constructed to support buildings in the vicinity of the Temple Mount.

"Warren's Gate" lies about 150 feet (46 m) into the tunnel. This sealed-off entrance has been turned into a small synagogue called "The Cave", by Rabbi Yehuda Getz, since it is the closest point a Jew can get to the Holy of Holies, assuming it was located at the traditional site under the Dome of the Rock.

At the northern portion of the Western Wall, remains of a water channel, which originally supplied water to the Temple Mount, were found. The exact source of the channel is unknown, though it passes through an underground pool known as the "Struthion Pool". The water channel was dated to the Hasmonean period and was accordingly dubbed the "Hasmonean Channel".

The biggest stone in the Western Wall often called the Western Stone is also revealed within the tunnel and ranks as one of the heaviest objects ever lifted by human beings without powered machinery. The stone has a length of 13.6 metres (45 ft) and an estimated width of between 3.5 metres (11 ft) and 4.5 metres (15 ft); estimates place its weight at 570 short tons (510 long tons).

Adjacent to the tunnel lies a museum called "The Chain of Generations Center," designed by Eliav Nahlieli. The Center, which incorporates ancient and modern Jewish history, includes an audiovisual show, and nine glass sculptures created by glass artist Jeremy Langford.

In 2007 the Israel Antiquities Authority uncovered an ancient Roman street, thought to be from the second to fourth centuries. It was a side street which likely connected two major roads, and led up to the Temple Mount. The discovery of the road gave further evidence that Romans continued to use the Temple Mount after the destruction of the temple in 70 CE.^[5]

Tonight we had a family dinner with relatives of Marilyn's who moved here from the US nine years ago - tomorrow we are heading South for the wedding we will be visiting the Dead Sea on the way.

The Tower of David Museum at the Citadel and a night out in Jerusalem

Last night Monday night we went out to the old City to see the Night Spectacular at the Tower of David which is located in the restored ancient Citadel of the city of Jerusalem.  The permanent exhibition, housed in the guardrooms of the Citadel, tells the fascinating and complex story of the history of Jerusalem over the course of 4000 years, focusing on the central events and their importance.  The Night Spectacular moves from the creation to the eternal city of Jerusalem showing Jerusalem as the inner heart and center of the world.

We spent the evening with Marilyn's friend since she was probably nine years old her husband and their three sons their wives etc.  It was a wonderful evening culminating in dinner at the historic King David Hotel which was build by the British in the 20's - We dined outside overlooking the old city and the ancient walls glowing in the evening light.

Bethlehem and a trip to Palestine August 15, 2011

We left early this morning to drive to the West Bank Palestine to see the sights of Bethlehem - we had to show passports and be brought to the border by one guide and picked up by a Palestinian guide to go through the barbed wire and past all the check points to enter Palestine.  Yikes - scary - but it was worth the trip for Bruce who was very excited about seeing the birthplace of Jesus.  I have included some information about Bethlehem so you will get an understanding of the politics of the region.

Shepherd with Flock The area to the east of the city is traditionally believed to be the area of the fields of the shepherds "keeping watch o'er their flocks by night."  Several churches have been built to commemorate this event.   Even today local shepherds can be seen tending their flocks in this same area (even on Christmas eve!)

Nativity Church The entrance to the famous church in Bethlehem is remarkably unimpressive.  The large courtyard is perfect for priests, pilgrims or tourists, but most noticeable are the vendors.  Palestinian police now patrol the area.  Buses no longer are allowed to enter the square, but instead are directed to a large parking structure.

Church Interior This building is the oldest standing church in the Holy Land.  Originally built by Constantine's mother in the 4th century, Emperor Justinian rebuilt the current structure in the 530s.  It was apparently spared destruction from the Persians in 614 A.D. because the invaders saw the depictions of the Magi on the walls.  Local Muslim-Christian friendship is believed to be why the church was not destroyed during al-Hakim's rule in 1009.

Ancient Mosaics Underneath the present floor are beautiful mosaics of the earlier church.  The church built at the direction of Constantine's mother was octagonal in shape, typical of Byzantine memorial churches.  Before the Roman empire converted to Christianity, the area was a sacred grove of Thammuz.

The Birth Cave Early tradition places the birth of Jesus in a cave.  Scripture doesn't mention the existence of a cave, and skeptics note that many biblical events were commemorated in caves (more convenient for pilgrims to be sheltered from sun and rain?).  But it is also true that many houses in the area are built in front of caves.  A cave could serve a household well by providing shelter for the animals or a place of storage.

Now some of our pictures from the trip which shows the different sights from the separation wall of Palestine an Israel, the birth place of Jesus and shepards field and the grottos which are the sightseeing of Bethelem.

We are actually taking some leisure time today - going to visit the famous King David Hotel which is right next door and walk around Jerusalem - tonight we are going to the old City to see a light show in the City of David.

City of David, Old city of Jerusalem Via Dolorosa Church of the Holy Sepulchre- Sunday August 14th

The City of David is the birthplace of the city of Jerusalem, the place where King David established his kingdom, and where the history of the People of Israel was written. It is within walking distance from the Old City of Jerusalem and the Western Wall, and is one of the most exciting sites in Israel. Visitors come from all over the world to see the strongest physical connection between the stories of the Bible and reality, the place where the Holy City started.

In the year 1004 BCE, King David conquered the city from the Jebusites and established his capital there. It was here where the People of Israel were united under King David’s rule, here where the Holy Ark was bought and here where the First Temple was built by King Solomon, King David’s son.

Today the City of David is an archeological park that tells the story of the establishment of Jerusalem, its wars and hardships, its prophets and kings, and the history of the Jews during Biblical times. The remains of the city are present in the ancient stones and the thousands of shards that cover the pathways between the buildings. Among the archeological ruins are large elaborate houses that bear witness to the high social status of the city’s residents, Warren's Shaft leading to the water tunnel that was used to transport water from the Gikhon spring outside the city, and the remains of one of several towers that was used to defend the well. It is thought that King Solomon was anointed and crowned king of Israel at this site. Among the ruins found in the city were personal seals for signing letters and documents bearing the names their owners – people who were mentioned in the bible.

One of the most fascinating parts of the City of David is the tunnel of Shiloh - a 533-meter-long tunnel that was carved during the period of King Hezkiyahu. The tunnel extends from the city to the well atShiloh, and is an astounding engineering feat. Its builders carved the tunnel through solid rock beginning from opposite ends and succeeded in making the two sides meet in the middle. Visitors can walk through the tunnel which is partially filled with water, and come out at the pools of Shiloh.

The City of David and its remains and historical significance have made it an important and exciting tourist site.

 The Old City and the Western Wall The Western Wall in the midst of the Old City in Jerusalem is the section of the Western supporting wall of the Temple Mount which has remained intact since the destruction of theSecond Jerusalem Temple (70 C.E.). It became the most sacred spot in Jewish religious and national consciousness and tradition by virtue of its proximity to the Western Wall of the Holy of Holies in the Temple, from which, according to numerous sources, the Divine Presence never departed. It became a center of mourning over the destruction of the Temple and Israel's exile, on the one hand, and of religious - in 20th century also national - communion with the memory of Israel's former glory and the hope for its restoration, on the other. Because of the former association, it became known in European languages as the "Wailing Wall".

The Old City of Jerusalem There is a magical quality about the Old City of Jerusalem that does not exist anywhere else in the world. Perhaps it is due to the glorious history of the towering stone walls and ancient buildings, or the sacred atmosphere that surrounds the holy sites of Jewish, Christian, and Moslem religions. The enchanting quality of Jerusalem may also come from the colorful markets and narrow alleyways, or from the city’s dynamic history - a history woven with war and peace, love and hate, destruction and resurrection.

The Old City was originally built by King David in 1004 B.C.E. and has always been considered the center of the world. Ancient maps show the three continents known at the time: Europe, Asia, and Africa, situated in a circle with Jerusalem at their center. Since then Jerusalem has been cherished and glorified by kings, rulers, and conquerors who attempted to storm its walls and adored by ordinary people who made it the loadstone of their faith. This was the place where the Jews built the Temple, where Jesus was crucified, and where Mohammed rose to Heaven. Pilgrims, beggars, merchants, students of great scholars, warriors and slaves have all walked its streets, and have praised and revered Jerusalem.

The Christian Quarter

The Christian quarter has more than 40 churches, monasteries, and hostels that were built for Christian pilgrims. In the heart of the Christian quarter is the Church of the Holy Sepulchre or the Church of the Resurrection, which, according to Christian tradition, was the site upon which Jesus was crucified and buried following his final walk along the Via Dolorosa, or the Stations of the Cross. The Via Dolorosa begins at the courthouse - which was located at what is now the Lions’ Gate – also known as St. Stephen’s Gate-- and ends at Calvary Hill or Golgotha, where the Church is now located. Many Christian pilgrims walk along the Via Dolorosa following the final path of Jesus.
There are several sites that are important to the Christian tradition inside the Church of the Resurrection, including the Stone of Anointing, the tomb, and the rotunda.
The market - one of Jerusalem’s most popular tourist attractions, is located in the Christian quarter and is a noisy, colorful market where one can buy decorated pottery, candles, souvenirs, ethnic costumes, mats, rugs, beads, and jewelry, glass lamps and decorative items. The merchants call out their wares and the food stands emit tantalizing aromas. One of the most outstanding attractions of this market is that shoppers are expected to bargain for wares, and if you insist, you can bargain shopkeepers down from their original price.

That is all for today - we toured for nine hours mostly walking, wading through water under the tunnels of the City of David climbing steps and going through tunnels representing centuries of history.  Off to Bethlaham tomorrow.