Holy Land Day 7

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This day started earlier, as we were headed to the lowest area on Earth..The Dead Sea, which is 1200 feet below sea level. On the way, we passed by the city of Jericho. Jericho's distinction, other than the stories we know about from the Bible, is that it is the oldest inhabited city in the world. It has been inhabited by someone from over 7,000 years ago through present day. Next visit, I hope we will be able to stop in Jericho.

Then, we proceeded to the farthest point, the historical site called Masada. This place is a disconnected mountain with only two ways up..the winding snake path, and a cable car. We took the cable car!! At the top, you will find ruins of another fabulous palace built by Herod. This would have been a home used in the winter to protect his family from his many enemies.

Masada, however has a much more interesting story. Seems that over 900 Zealots from Jerusalem and surrounding areas made their last stand against Rome in 73 AD. They escaped Jerusalem and made their way to this isolated and protected fortress, which had been a well designed palace, complete with an intricate water system, large cisterns, storerooms, and supplies.
With only one way up the mountain, they were able to spend months, if not years, keeping the large Roman Legion who followed them there at bay. The story is told that when the Romans finally completed a "ramp" which breached the fortress, the group decided to draw lots; fathers would kill their own families, and 11 men would take care of the rest. They did not want to become slaves and decided that dying would be a better answer.
The Isareli Army, today, still gives their oath of service on the top of Masada. The oath basically says that they will fight to the death, so that they will never become slaves to anyone again. Patrick Henry must have even heard about Masada...

We left Masada and headed for Qumeran. This is the location of the caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. Imagine a Bedouin shepherd, tossing a stone into a cave, hearing a breaking sound, and discovering the scrolls. Thankfully he took them to the shoemaker I described earlier, who knew what to do. The Isaiah scroll was found almost completely intact. Note to self...on our day off tomorrow, we will go to the museum which houses the scrolls.

Finally, many of our Pilgrims got to float in the Dead Sea. Andie was not one of them, but Dean just had to get his swimmer self in that salt water. The Dead Sea has no life, because it is around 33% salt. It was the first time I have seen Dean float, and his feet were not under water. There are 28 other minerals in the sea, and even Cleoptra noticed the skin secrets in these minerals. There are still products produced today that are in great demand from the Dead Sea...yes, I did get a lovely Lavender Scrub. Dean says I have to carry and pack that 8 pound jar of salt!!

Though this day was hot, and we were in the lowest of lows, once more, the learning continued. I loved the story of Masada, and completely understood why a young man was having his Bar Mitzvah at the top of this intiguing mountain.

We passed  many Bedouin villages on our way back to Jerusalem.

They live such an austere existence...