Rosh Hanikra: Cliffs and Grottos on the Mediterranean

Up at the top of Israel, right on the border of Israel and Lebanon (literally right below), is a set of chalk-white cliffs and beautiful grottos on the Mediterranean Sea. 

Known as Rosh Hanikra, these same cliffs are mentioned in Joshua 11:7-9 as Misrephoth-maim, or "boiling water", because of how the water swirls about them.

It's a really cool place!

I've actually been twice, because one time some friends and I went only to discover we'd just missed the last skytram down to the cliffs. Instead, we stood just outside and watched the sun set. Though I was disappointed, it was a beautiful evening and I don't regret getting to see these incredible colors!

I was so glad to get to go to back and explore these cliffs and grottos on a beautiful day. It ended up being the last day in the 80s before winter, which made it even more fun.

I learned that these tunnels played an important role in WWII- 1947, when it was blown up by the Haganah after the British announced they would be pulling out of the land. This tunnel made Israel vulnerable, so they destroyed it. 

Now, it's a tourist site, but literally on top of the cliffs is the only land cross until Lebanon to the north. There's a sign that shows the km distance to both Beirut and Jerusalem, and that's it. In the water, you can also see buys marking the nautical border going out 12 nautical miles.

This is northern Israel, just south of the cliffs. So beautiful!

That's it! I just wanted to share about these two really fun days. The cliffs were gorgeous and made for fun 'touristing' and photographing—both times! Here's me sunburnt and happy:

Beit She'arim: Part 2

Welcome back to Part 2 about Beit She'arim!

As I said in the last post, Beit She'arim was a place I'd never heard before. That's because it wasn't mentioned in the Bible. It's an important place in Israel's history from the 1st century AD. There are the remains of a Roman-era Jewish town, and, what we'll explore in this post, the necropolis—a series of rock-cut tombs and caves carved into stone.

According to Wikipedia, Beit She'arim became the popular place for burial around 135 AD, when Jews were barred from Jerusalem and could no longer be buried on the Mount of Olives. The Sanhedrin ended up settling in the town of Beit She'arim before moving on to Tiberias, so many famous rabbis were buried here.

In all, there are more than 30 burial caves. Some have been excavated, and some haven't. Some were ravaged by grave robbers, so much of the contents were destroyed. But there still remains some incredible historical detail. 

A UNESCO Heritage Site, Wikipedia says that "though only a portion of the necropolis has been excavated, it has been likened to a book inscribed in stone. Its catacombs, mausoleums, and sarcophagi are adorned with elaborate symbols and figures as well as an impressive quantity of incised and painted inscriptions in Hebrew, Aramaic, Palmyrene, and Greek, documenting two centuries of historical and cultural achievement. The wealth of artistic adornments contained in this, the most ancient extensive Jewish cemetery in the world, is unparalleled anywhere." 

Beit She'arim: Part 1

Beit She'arim is one of those places I'd never heard of before coming to Israel to study Hebrew, so it was all new to me. What an incredible place to explore!

It's a national park, but on the way in to the park, there are things to see... 

...like the remains of a 2,000-year-old synagogue

...old city gates and an olive press from the same time period

...the remains of an old basilica

...a statue of Alexander Zaid, who started the kibbutz down below, and a beautiful view over the Jezreel Valley

... and more! Come back next week for Part 2 of the series on Beit She'arim!

Rainbows over Megiddo

Of all the things I thought I'd see at Megiddo, rainbows weren't one of them.

Going to Megiddo was a big deal for me, because when I was on my Bible tour in 2017, we only went inside the visitor's center. It was a busy day, and there wasn't time for us to tour it, so he just showed us a model of it and explained it all. NOT THE SAME THING!!! Coupled with some intense jet lag, I honestly didn't care.

Since returning to Israel, Megiddo has been at the top of my list of 'new' places to visit. And finally, the day came. After days of rain, the sky cleared and we headed out to the Jezreel Valley... only for the sky to open up again once we got there. Such a disappointment! We tried to wait it out, but then finally decided to leave. But first, we stopped at the gas station... and then the rain stopped.... a beautiful, vibrant rainbow covered the valley. "Quick! Let's go back to Megiddo!" my friend said.

We were so glad we did!

Megiddo was a significant place in the Jezreel Valley's history, because it guarded the Via Maris, the pass through the valley that was necessary for all trade to travel from Egypt and Asia minor. Its history dates back millennia. In fact, there are more than 26 layers of civilization in the tel that makes the site. WOW!!! That's enough to make this history nerd see stars, haha. 

Its history dates back to the Early Bronze Era (3000-3500 BC), and the remains of an excavated temple are "the most monumental single edifice so far uncovered from the Early Bronze Age" (find out more here).

In the Middle Bronze Age (1000's BC), urban planning came into play. And in the Late Bronze Age, after a war won by King Thutmose III, a massive palace was built.

The city gates from the Canaanite period (above) versus from Solomon's era (below). Can you see the difference? The wood beams denote where the original walls still stand and what is part reconstruction for context.

Around 1150 BC, it was settled by the Israelites. But then a fire moved through. Built back up and fortified by Solomon, it remained in Israel control until the Assyrians moved through in 732 BC, and by 586 BC, when the Babylonians came through, it was abandoned. 

This grain silo dates back to King Jeroboam!

Upon the writing of Revelation in AD 96, Megiddo is mentioned again, this time in Greek. It is incorrectly translated from "Har Megiddo" (Mount Megiddo) to "Armageddon" in Revelation 16:16, talking about a final battle for Jerusalem.

So this place is incredibly important!

Like I said, I want to go back and explore the water system when it isn't raining. So with that in mind, my two favorite things (so far) about Megiddo are:

1. THE VIEW! I mean, #IsraelorIreland, am I right?

and

2. The Stables

There were 2 stables, one in the north and one in the south. I love how these are set up with the images of horses. And you definitely can't beat the view!

So fun! I know I didn't even begin to learn all there is to discover about Megiddo. I can't wait to go back!