Pictures from Israel
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Israel-@-MEA-20171004-(C23)-Historical Landmarks-The Jewish Quarter
Historical Landmarks – The Jewish Quarter
This plaque welcomes visitors to the Jewish quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem. There are four different ‘suburbs’ within the walled City of Jerusalem. They are the Jewish quarter, the Armenian quarter, the Christian quarter and largest of them all, the Muslim quarter. The Jewish quarter covers 0.2 square kilometres and is home to approximately 2,500 residence. Most of the Jewish Quarter was rebuilt after 1967.
Following Israel’s independence in 1948, the well-armed Arabs went to war against the poorly armed tiny State of Israel. In the pursuing battles, the Old City was captured by Jordan and all Jewish residence were evicted. It was not until the 1967 legendary Six Day War in which Israeli recaptured the Old City and over time, rebuilt the city the Jewish Quarter which is now full of lovely new buildings that are traditional yet original. One of the important structures which the Jordanians destroyed was the monumental Hurva Synagogue which has also has been replaced.
In Bible times, before King David’s conquest of Jerusalem in the 11th century BCE, Jerusalem was also a fortified city and home to the Jebusites. David’s son, King Solomon extended the city walls to include the Temple and Temple Mount.
Today, the visitor can wander through this area and see many synagogues, museums, eating places and of course, the Kotel (the Western Wall) and even say a prayer and leave a note. And when you visit this ancient land with its ancient city, you too may experience what many before you have experienced, that feeling of ‘returning home’.
Next week, we will feature another historical Landmark, Jerusalem’s Alrov Mamilla Avenue.
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Pictures from Israel
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Open Air Music Theatre, Jerusalem
There are many Festivals and High Holidays in Israel. This particular photograph was taken after Passover and during the Feast of Unleavened Bread. The open-air music theatre and restaurant is situated just off the main section of Jaffe Road in Jerusalem. A jazz concert is playing and dinner is being served. The night air is a balmy 20 degrees and the atmosphere is relaxed. The colourful umbrellas contrast brightly against a black skyline.
The harp in the water fountain is an interesting show piece, lit up with lights. The Hebrew word kinnor means a harp or lyre and is made famous in the Bible because of David who played it so beautifully in the courts of King Saul. And not only was David an expert harpist, psalmist and composer, but his skill as a musician provided healing music used in relaxation therapy.
So, in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and so many other places in Israel, people eat and fellowship during the many Festivals. No wonder Israel is considered one of the happiest nations on earth.
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Pictures from Israel
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Israel-©-MEA-20170920-(N86)–12-Tribes-12-Benjamin
Tribe of Benjamin
Benjamin was the youngest of the twelve sons of Jacob whose mother was Rachel. He was Joseph’s brother, and like his brother, played an important role in the history of the Nation of Israel. Jacob gave him this blessing, ”Benjamin is a ravenous wolf, devouring the prey in the morning, and dividing the spoil at night.” The symbol of Benjamin was a wolf. The tribe of Benjamin fulfilled Jacob’s prophesy by becoming extremely killed warriors, being skilled archers and slingers, said to be able to short at a hair and never miss.
Their lands were situated in the middle of the other Tribes and close to Jerusalem, which was good for both agriculture and trade.
Descendants of Benjamin included King Saul, the Prophet Samuel, Queen Esther and the Apostle Paul (Rabbi Sha’ul), who each demonstrate the inherent strength of the Tribe of Benjamin.
Log in next week for a new picture of Israel accompanied by many interesting facts about this amazing land.
Copyright exists in all the material on this website and is owned by Messianic Education Australia Ltd. unless otherwise explicitly stated. This copyright extends to the images, logos, layout and presentation styles as well as the text material.
Pictures from Israel
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Israel-©-MEA-20170913-(N85)–12-Tribes-11-Joseph
The Tribe of Joseph
Joseph was the eleventh son of Jacob and his mother was Rachel. Joseph was blessed by his father, who said, “Joseph is a fruitful vine, a fruitful vine near a spring, whose branches climb over a wall.” (Genesis 30:22-24)
When Joseph was in Egypt, he had two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh (who are often called the “two half-tribes of Joseph”). Often, the Tribe of Joseph is listed as the Tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh, which consequently was termed the House of Joseph (Beit Yosef).
The above mosaic shows an ‘ox’, which is attributed to the blessing of his son Ephraim, “His first-born is his ox”. Joseph achieved greatness through his challenges. He overcame all adversaries and became a great leader, saving his entire generation. Despite his corrupt environment, he maintained his spiritual integrity. When Joseph’s sons arrived in the Promised Land, their territory spanned the Jordan River.
Next week we will look at the last of the twelve sons, Benjamin.
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Pictures from Israel
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The Tribe of Naphtali
Naphtali is the tenth son of Jacob and the second son of Bilhah, a handmaiden of Jacob’s wife Rachel. The Tribe of Naphtali settled in the northern fertile region known as Upper Galilee and Lower Galilee, which was a natural pass and trade route for cities like Damascus, Tyre and Acre. This created prosperity for Naphtali. from what we do know, Naphtali proved to be happy and a very eloquent speaker (taken as a sign of great intelligence in that culture). He became respected as a man of intelligence and sage wisdom, which was believed to reflect his godliness and spiritual strength.
This is also why Jacob described Naphtali as having ‘beautiful words’ which were eloquent, wise, and holy. Also, the Bible records Naphtali having a significant military presence in the ancient Song of Deborah, where this Tribe is commended, along with Zebulun, for risking their lives in the fight against Sisera and the Midianite invaders.
The symbol for Naphtali shown in the mosaic above is a gazelle, which is a fast animal, and no surprise that this animal was adopted by the Tribe of Naftali as many of them were famous for being great runners.
Out of interest, all the photographs taken of mosaics showing the 12 Tribal symbols of Israel which have been featured in this series of ‘Picture of the Week’, can be found along the walking path over the old railway line leading up the original Jerusalem Railway Station. Next week’s picture is about Joseph.
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Pictures from Israel
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Israel-©-MEA-20170830-(N88)–12-Tribes-9-Asher
The Tribe of Asher
Asher is the eighth son of Jacob’s or Israel’s twelve sons. The symbol for Asher is olive trees. Asher was characterized as happy, intelligent, intuitive, open to others, and a little bit impetuous. In fact, his name means ‘happy one’ and was known as the happiest of the Twelve Tribes, which came from the fact that they were amongst the most prosperous of the Tribes.
Moses’ blessing over Asher was that he would be blessed with sons, pleasing to his brothers, and have his foot immersed in oil. The Tribe of Asher seemed to wander around the northernmost territories, right along the Mediterranean Sea. It would be roughly where Lebanon is today, and this area known today as Lebanon, which was renowned for its good food and the best part of West Asia for growing olives, which would explain why Asher was so prosperous.
Check out the Tribe of Issachar next week.
Copyright exists in all the material on this website and is owned by Messianic Education Australia Ltd. unless otherwise explicitly stated. This copyright extends to the images, logos, layout and presentation styles as well as the text material.
