(DAY 7) Masada and the Dead Sea

On this day, we had a number of groups split off.  One group took the day trip to Masada and the Dead Sea.  Another group stayed at the hotel to do shopping, museums, etc.

Since I went with the group to Masada, the pictures here are from that trip.

First, we had to leave the hotel VERY early -- because there was a Marathon running in Jerusalem, and the streets were going to be closed down from about 6:00 on.  So we got up bright and early - to leave at 5:30 am !!

However, since Masada would not be open until 9:00 we made a few stops along the way.

The first stop was at a site claimed to be the burial site of the "Muslim Moses".  

This site is just 30 minutes outside of Jerusalem, so it is amazing how quickly the landscape goes from the city to the desert...  Yes the sun is just coming up on us sleepy-heads...

At this site the rocks wer made of pressurized carbon.  Our guide showed us the outside and inside of the rock.  This rock is a valuable source of fuel -- i.e. it burns. 

Interesting...

Next, we visited a site at the top of the Dead Sea.  This is the "Lido Cafe", once a hot nightspot used by the King of Jordan.  It was destroyed by Israeli forces during the 1967 war.  Notice also, thatr the Dead Sea used to come all the way up the the cafe, and this has now retreated. 

A third stop along the way is one of the caves in which the Dead Sea Scrolls were found.  There were a number of caves along this coast which were found to contain the scrolls that make up the Dead Sea Scrolls.

Caves behind Ken in the upper right

As we arrived at each stop along the way, the sun seemed to peek through, and then as we were leaving to move on to the next, the drizzle started.  Yosi did a great job of keeping up one step ahead of the rain.  Amazing! 

Back in Jerusalem, we were hearing stories of terrible rain, and rumors there might be flash floods later in the day...

Sun rays shining through the clouds at the Dead Sea Caves

Here is the group in front of the Caves

We made one more stop at the Ahava store and cafe for an "Economic Interchange" with the locals...

Sun on the Dead Sea

Then we arrived at the site of Masada.  Here we are taking the cable cars up to the top.  The ramp would take longer, and we will see the ramp (on the other side) from the top.

These cable cars were not that scary... 
Big, sturdy and running at a reasonable speed. 
It took about 5 minutes to get to the top.

We made it to the top!!  At the top of Masada, a Jewish sect, labelled as Rebels by the Romans, held off the attacking army of Romans, until they used the Roman Ramp to breach the entrance.

Yosi - the weather zen master...

Debbie and Terri in front of Yosi

Linda and Ken looking out over the Roman Ramp side

Pat and Dotty also taking in the view 

This is a view straight down on the Roman Ramp
(If you look closely, you can see some other people walking up)

The view is breathtaking and when we arrive the rainclouds have disappeared!

Some ruins being excavated at the top of Masada

After the Romans breached the gate, the end was imminent.  The Romans camped overnight and planned to attack the next morning.  The Jewish sect eventually decided that death was better than the imminent slavery and torture at the hands of the Romans, and so they drew lots and those that were selected then committed mass "murder" (not suicide) of the sect.
This was determined to be a synagogue, because scrolls were buried in special burial chambers that were typical for synagogues.  This is thus one of the oldest synagogues to date. 

Synagogues only started as a practice after the destruction of the Temple.  Masada dates to the time after the destruction.

Until that time, the only true place to congregate and pray was the Temple.  After the destruction, groups had to create their own local synagogues in order to maintain the ritual practices.

Sitting in the oldest synagogue

This is an ancient Mikvah - Ritual bath

As we left Masada - the drizzle was just starting ...

The last stop of the day was the stop at the Ein Gedi Spa.  This is where we will swim in the Dead Sea ... or will we ... that is the tough decision to make...

There is a string sulfur smell here...

Those who choose to swim get changed, and make their way down to the Sea.  The 'beach' is really like rock salt.  Rough and hard, so it is a good thing some of us wore sandals (They didn't tell us we needed that?!?)

Proof that we swam the Sea

There were about 10-12 of our group that went in for the swim, but not many would sign the waiver to post their pictures ... so you will have to take my word for it !
The water is very salty, but also has ammonia and sulfur, sounds like a great mix right?
They had us remove jewelry before going in, and told us not to get the water in our mouths or eyes.  We swam for a about 20 mins, until the stinging in our eyes from the spray became too much.



Parting shot of the Sea


We did all of this and got back to the hotel by 2:30 !!
How on earth is that even possible?

We took a little time off to relax at the hotel and share our experiences of the day with the other half of the group.

Later that evening Shabbat would begin. 

First we headed over to the Reform Synagogue "Kol HaShana", where the service is similar to our conservative services here.  Since we were "uninvited" as a group, we decided to go anyway as "individuals".  It was a beautiful service, and it was packed.

We walked back and got together for a group dinner buffet at the Hotel and it was amazing.  Like being at a wedding!

Next, we had a speaker come and speak with the group about the current news affairs in Israel.  Gil Hoffman is the chief political correspondent and analyst for the Jerusalem Post, and previously spoke at B'nai Israel in Bridgeport last year.

More activities for Shabbat tomorrow...