Hi friends! Made it to Greece— our last day in Israel was amazing though— it was just a taste; I’ll have to come back again!!
Benjamin - Guide, Jewish (in some traditional senses but not religious, does not believe in God, nor a higher power of any kind, but that religions have created it as a way to gain and keep power; just wants to be a good person (and is his own god, in a way, as he says), previously 30 years banker/economist, took wife & granddaughter to Paris last week for shopping
Our Group- Columbian couple, Nicole from Germany, Nancie “Jesus loving Bible girl” from Texas, one man visiting from Jordan, where he does ministry and teaches English (his wife passed away last year, couple from Philippines staying in UK celebrating their fourth wedding anniversary, two women besties from Zambia staying in Ireland, Rita & Daisy
Mikveh- Hebrew word for the bath; not in a traditional washing the body sense but a purification before prayer or worship; the rich had one in their house or in a public one before entering the temple (think Pool of Siloam); dip whole self three times to purify - https://jwa.org/encyclopedia/article/mikveh
Mitzvah - to do something good for God (like after wedding mitzvah, their “good for God” is to make a child)
Kosher Food - Jews can’t eat milk product and meat product together; have to wait 6 hours after meat or 2 hours after milk; neither can it be prepared together; can’t have certain meats & fish
Kibbutz - a community, like a commune, really… All people work together and give of what they have and receive what they need. Both Magdala & Jordan River Baptismal Site were run by the local Kibbutz.
CANA
Village, now a city, in the mountains of Galilee; hard to express how hilly and rugged the terrain is for walkers of 2000 years prior
We visited the Wedding Church in Cana with authentic jugs Jesus might have used to turn the water into wine. Learn more here
(Old) Jewish Weddings:
Bride and groom don’t know each other, bride is totally covered, after ceremony they are in private room & can reveal her identity
Bride takes one month of lessons before - how to act on evening of wedding
Wedding takes place two days after period; obligated to get pregnant right away
Couple is considered married if -- groom pays bride fees, or they have religious contract with rabbi, or if 2 people are seen alone in a room with two witnesses to verify
“The next day there was a wedding celebration in the village of Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the celebration. The wine supply ran out during the festivities, so Jesus’ mother told him, “They have no more wine.” “Dear woman, that’s not our problem,” Jesus replied. “My time has not yet come.” But his mother told the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” Standing nearby were six stone water jars, used for Jewish ceremonial washing. Each could hold twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus told the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” When the jars had been filled, he said, “Now dip some out, and take it to the master of ceremonies.” So the servants followed his instructions. When the master of ceremonies tasted the water that was now wine, not knowing where it had come from (though, of course, the servants knew), he called the bridegroom over. “A host always serves the best wine first,” he said. “Then, when everyone has had a lot to drink, he brings out the less expensive wine. But you have kept the best until now!” This miraculous sign at Cana in Galilee was the first time Jesus revealed his glory. And his disciples believed in him.” John 2:1-11 NLT
“Several of the disciples were there—Simon Peter, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples.” John 21:2 NLT
(Right after staying in Samaria for two days / woman at the well.) “As he traveled through Galilee, he came to Cana, where he had turned the water into wine. There was a government official in nearby Capernaum whose son was very sick. When he heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went and begged Jesus to come to Capernaum to heal his son, who was about to die. Jesus asked, “Will you never believe in me unless you see miraculous signs and wonders?” The official pleaded, “Lord, please come now before my little boy dies.” Then Jesus told him, “Go back home. Your son will live!” And the man believed what Jesus said and started home. While the man was on his way, some of his servants met him with the news that his son was alive and well. He asked them when the boy had begun to get better, and they replied, “Yesterday afternoon at one o’clock his fever suddenly disappeared!” Then the father realized that that was the very time Jesus had told him, “Your son will live.” And he and his entire household believed in Jesus. This was the second miraculous sign Jesus did in Galilee after coming from Judea.” John 4:46-54 NLT
GALILEE
Mount of Beatitudes - on northern end of Sea, looking out over the whole thing sits a church and small community; this is where Jesus is said to have given the Sermon on the Mount, starting with the beatitudes- More Info
Jesus Boat Museum - 2000 year old boat used during Jesus’s time discovered; this was a truly incredible sight to see and had an incredible display & video series (How did he fall asleep in one of those?)- More Info
Magdala- 1AD; synagogues were meant to learn, not to pray (bet midrash); magdala stone (one in world); factory for salted fish, garro fish sauce; 7 branched menorah one of first found in Galilee, Torah scroll chamber with mosaic tiles; church looked out onto the sea with women of the New Testament carved into marble columns in the foyer, also included 5 chapels of different Bible scenes - More Info (*this was my favorite spot so far!)
Jordan River - a bonus stop added in because we had time! So cool to see the nations gather, praise & worship at the banks, and so many getting baptized! (*had to pay to use the bathrooms, though)
“This is a record of the towns and territory assigned by means of sacred lots to the descendants of Aaron, who were from the clan of Kohath. From the territory of Naphtali, they were given Kedesh in Galilee, Hammon, and Kiriathaim, each with its pasturelands.”
1 Chronicles 6:54, 76 NLT
“Later on, after John was arrested, Jesus went into Galilee, where he preached God’s Good News. “The time promised by God has come at last!” he announced. “The Kingdom of God is near! Repent of your sins and believe the Good News!” One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” And they left their nets at once and followed him. A little farther up the shore Jesus saw Zebedee’s sons, James and John, in a boat repairing their nets. He called them at once, and they also followed him, leaving their father, Zebedee, in the boat with the hired men.”
Mark 1:14-20 NLT
“Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray. Later Simon and the others went out to find him. When they found him, they said, “Everyone is looking for you.” But Jesus replied, “We must go on to other towns as well, and I will preach to them, too. That is why I came.” So he traveled throughout the region of Galilee, preaching in the synagogues and casting out demons.”
Mark 1:35-39 NLT
“After this, Jesus traveled around Galilee. He wanted to stay out of Judea, where the Jewish leaders were plotting his death. But soon it was time for the Jewish Festival of Shelters, and Jesus’ brothers said to him, “Leave here and go to Judea, where your followers can see your miracles! You can’t become famous if you hide like this! If you can do such wonderful things, show yourself to the world!” For even his brothers didn’t believe in him. Jesus replied, “Now is not the right time for me to go, but you can go anytime. The world can’t hate you, but it does hate me because I accuse it of doing evil. You go on. I’m not going to this festival, because my time has not yet come.” After saying these things, Jesus remained in Galilee.”
John 7:1-9 NLT
“So they arrived in the region of the Gerasenes, across the lake from Galilee. As Jesus was climbing out of the boat, a man who was possessed by demons came out to meet him. For a long time he had been homeless and naked, living in the tombs outside the town.”
Luke 8:26-27 NLT
“Jesus returned to the Sea of Galilee and climbed a hill and sat down. A vast crowd brought to him people who were lame, blind, crippled, those who couldn’t speak, and many others. They laid them before Jesus, and he healed them all. The crowd was amazed! Those who hadn’t been able to speak were talking, the crippled were made well, the lame were walking, and the blind could see again! And they praised the God of Israel.”
Matthew 15:29-31 NLT
“Later, Jesus appeared again to the disciples beside the Sea of Galilee. This is how it happened. At dawn Jesus was standing on the beach, but the disciples couldn’t see who he was.”
John 21:1, 4 NLT
Sorry if all the pics don’t come through. New Wi-Fi is a bit slower! But still so nice to have!
Thanks so much for sharing your trip! I’ll probably never journey to Israel myself, so I appreciate you taking me along on yours ❤️