MEA Weekly Picture from Israel

Pictures from Israel

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Israel prays at the Kotel for Jerusalem

This picture of the Kotel (or the Western Wall) depicts a maximum crowd of people in the men’s and women’s section of the Kotel praying for many different reasons. Prayers are lifted up to God in worship and thanksgiving, as well as for various daily needs for family and friends, the poor and sickly, widow and orphans, wisdom and discernment of the country’s leaders, the safety and success of the IDF soldiers, and most of all the defeat of Israel’s enemies.  Such is the case at this time when the United Nations Executive Committee approved a resolution that denies Israel’s right to its deep historical and cultural Jewish (and Christian) connection to the Land. Against this backdrop of lies, we pray and ask you to pray fervently for the peace of Jerusalem.

⁶ Pray for shalom in Yerushalayim (peace in Jerusalem); may those who love you prosper.

⁷ May shalom be within your ramparts, prosperity in your palaces.

⁸ For the sake of my family and friends, I say, “Shalom be within you!”    [Psalm 122:6-8 (CJB)]

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Chanukah (or Hanukkah) Lightshow – pink and blue

The pink and blue pictures were taken during the remarkably stunning Chanukah Lightshow appearing on the walls of the Old City of Jerusalem as a backdrop. Many people braved cold weather to venture out on a still quiet evening. Accompanying the lightshow was popular Israeli music keeping beat to the dancing lights flashing and moving over the Walls.

Two symbols appear in these pictures, the Chanukiah in the centre and to the left, a jar of oil which holds the oil for the nine lights or candles. Traditionally, the oil used for the ancient Menorah found in the Temple was olive oil, pronounced shemen in Hebrew, and has been used in the land of Israel for thousands of years.  Apart from its use in keeping lamps alight, it was and is still used for cooking, eating, cosmetics, healing creams and anointing oil.

The full story of Chanukah is well worth reading. It begins with  a miracle following a revolt by the Jews against foreign rule in 168-165 B.C. Antiochus IV Epiphanes, the Seleucid (Greek origin) king of what is now the Middle East, attempted to suppress the Jewish religion and desecrated the Second Temple in Jerusalem. The victorious rebels, led by Judah the Maccabee (the ‘Hammer’) faced a serious challenge to rededicating their temple: The menorah needed to remain burning at all times, but there was only enough untainted olive oil to last one night.

However the ‘miracle’ was that this one jar of oil lasted for eight nights and this event is remembered to this day. And above all else, one cannot ignore the more impressive history of the Jewish people standing up for righteousness and purity to win back their homeland.

MEA Weekly Picture from Israel

Pictures from Israel

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Avir riding a lion at top of stairs leading to the Kotel

Throughout Jerusalem, the lion symbol is the most prominent icon, appearing on the many Jerusalem flags; on shops, parks, residences, hotels and over the popular Lions Gate. Separate to these are the endless display of lions casts, including the larger ones on which we see Avir practising for the rodeo. This pair of lions are situated high up in the Jewish Quarter near the stairs heading down to the prayer centre of Jerusalem known as the Kotel (the Western Wall).

The lion has been a symbol of strength and resilience and of the tribe of Judah for countless generations. Jerusalem formed part of Judah’s portion of the Promises Land. As the established biblical and historical capital of the Jewish nation, the Lion of Judah has always been the symbol of Jerusalem, Judah and Israel, which is why the Municipality of Jerusalem adopted the lion as its official emblem. There are approximately 150 references in the Bible regarding lions, many descriptive and metaphoric to Israel. Here are two:

Overlooking the armies of Israel, Balaam declares in (Numbers 23:24a)

“Here is a people rising up like a lioness;  like a lion he rears himself up…”

In his lament over the death of Saul and Jonathan, David remembers

“Sha’ul and Y’honatan, loved and gracious while alive,were not separated even in death; they were swifter than eagles, stronger than lions”………..  2 Samuel 1:23

The most prominent ties between the king of the lions and Israel, comes before the official birth of the nation of Israel.  The twelve tribes were a band of brothers, all sons of Jacob.  On his deathbed, Jacob has a prophesy for each son.  Over Judah he speaks. “Judah is a lion’s whelp……he bows down, and he lies down as a lion; and as a lion why shall rouse him?”  (Gen 49:9).

Avir invites you catch a glimpse of the wonderful array of lions next time you’re in this unique capital city. And to add to the list above, you will also see images of lions on water fountains, statues, mosaic floors of ancient synagogues, sculptures on buildings and seats!