A unique pilgrimage through the Holy Land

by Leah Rosenberg
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Take a trip back in time to the 1920s, where the Holy Land was quite a difference place. Through the hills of the Galilee, down to the sand of the desert. Up to the hills and religious places of the Holy City of Jerusalem.

Galilee

The Galilee refers to the area from Mount Carmel, all the way to the northeast of Israel. This would include the Kinneret, also known as the Sea of the Galilee. Across the Galilee, there have been found many ancient cities from Bible times.

Mount Carmel

This is a mountain range in northern Israel, the city of Haifa is situated on this mountain range. It sis on this mountain range, that Elijah the prophet is said to have resided in a grotto. It is also here that he made an altar and gave a sacrifice to God, as he challenged, other prophets. It was the sacrifice of Elijah that was taken by God.

Sea of Galilee

The Sea of Galilee, in Hebrew known as the Kinneret, is a freshwater lake in northern Israel. The lake is fed by underground springs but its main source is the Jordan River. One of Jesus’s famous teachings, the Sermon on the Mount is said to have been given overlooking the Sea. When it says in the New Testament that Jesus walked on water, it was the water of the Sea of the Galilee.

Nazareth

Nazareth is known as the Arab capital and the largest city in northern Israel. In the New Testament Nazareth is described as the childhood home of Jesus. It is in this city that Mary was informed by the angel Gabriel that she was carrying a child. Nazareth is the city of many Christian pilgrimages, due to the miracles that happened here.

Jordan River

This is the river that flows, north to south, from the Dead Sea to the Sea of the Galilee. This River has much importance to Judaism and Christians alike. For the Jews it is where the Jewish People crossed from the desert in to the Land of Israel. For Christians it is where the first baptism took place, John the Baptist baptized Jesus.

Today, there are two border crossings between Israel and Jordan that go across the River. The northern one called the Jordan River Crossing or Sheikh Hussein Bridge and the southern bridge called Allenby Bridge.

Jericho

This is the first city the Jewish People conquered when entering the Land of Israel. They circled the walls of the city, seven times, they blew trumpets and the walls came tumbling down. Today, archaeologists have found what they believe to have been these walls. Jericho today is under the jurisdiction of the Palestinian Authority.

Jerusalem

Jerusalem is a holy city for not only Jews but Christians and Muslims. Each religion has its own holy sites in the ancient city. The ancient city is surrounded by walls and holds many treasures. The sites and views are breathtaking.

Church of the Holy Sepulchre

This is also known as the Church of the Resurrection. It is believed that this is the spot where Jesus was crucified. Within the Church it is believed that he was buried and then rose from the dead. It is a site where many Christians come to visit when on pilgrimage to the Holy Land.

Western Wall

This is a holy place for the Jewish People to come and pray. It is believed that this is the only left standing from the Temple, that was destroyed so many years ago. The Temple was a house of God and where sacrifices were made. When Jews all over the world pray, they pray towards Jerusalem, and those praying in Jerusalem pray towards the Western Wall.

Dome of the Rock

This is the Mosque that is to have been built on Temple Mount, above where the Jewish Temple once stood. This is significant to Islam as this is the place where Mohammed ascended to heaven. The Muslims do not pray towards this site but they pray towards Mecca, after Mohammed had a revelation from Allah.

The Dome of the Rock is a UNESCO Site and is Jerusalem’s most recognizable landmark. Today the Muslim Waqf, a religious trust, have authority over the Temple Mount. Non Muslims have been permitted limited access to the Mount but are not allowed to pray or bring prayer books or wear religious garments.

Israel, has many treasures from the north to the south, from the east to the west. It has breathtaking views and delicious food. The only way to experience this is by going to visit Israel and see for yourself.

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