shula's cup: October 2012


The hills across the highway from Mitzpeh Jericho

View from Mitzpeh Jericho overlooking Jericho to the left and Vered Jericho in the center. Vered Jericho is also a Jewish town, like Mitzpeh Jericho.

This week Hadossa and I went with a wonderful Israeli friend from my master's program to visit one of her friends who lives in Mitzpeh Jericho, a Jewish town on the east side of Israel that overlooks Jericho. We had the privilege of visiting two synagogues that were celebrating Simchat Torah, which they celebrate after Shemini Atzeret so that they can use electricity and have loud music. It was so exhilarating to be a part of that celebration here in the Land and witness the joy of those who love our Creator's Torah.

Simchat Torah in Mitzpeh Jericho

We stayed at a friend of my friend's house in Mitzpeh Jericho, and the next day we visited Wadi Prat Nature Reserve, which is an oasis in the middle of a barren waste land. A natural spring flows through the area of beautiful trees and rock formations, and apparently people have lived there since ancient times. We waded through the stream and enjoyed the gorgeous scenery.

Wadi Prat Nature Reserve

After exploring Wadi Prat Nature Reserve, we moved on toward the Dead Sea, but we had to stop when we saw some camels by the roadside. I can't resist a camel ride, and Hadossa needed to experience it for the first time, so we enjoyed that and some Bedouin coffee before heading back out toward the Dead Sea.

The camel's name was Pistachio.

Bedouin coffee

The Dead Sea was great! It feels fantastic to be able to float without any effort. You can't even swim because your legs won't stay under the water, and if you splash too much you risk getting water in your eyes. Believe me, you don't want to get water in your eyes. It was SO FUN to be in the Dead Sea. The water is so warm. In fact, it is cooler at the surface and warmer underneath--definitely the warmest sea I have ever been in. And the area is so beautiful, so wild and remote, like another planet. It is very strange to be at a sea that has no seagulls, no fishy smell, no crabs, and no sea shells. I loved how it felt to float. I can't wait to go to the Dead Sea again.

Across the water on the left is the northern tip of the Dead Sea and straight across is the country of Jordan.

Looking south on the Dead Sea with Jordan to the left and Israel to the right.

Northern tip of the Dead Sea

The Dead Sea is so dense with salt that you can float without even trying.

You can even float sideways.

The country of Jordan is in the distance.

The sun started going down and everything became even more beautiful.

Looking out over the Dead Sea toward the country of Jordan.

We had a wonderful time. I am so thankful for my friend here in Israel who brought us with her to her friend's house. We will always enjoy the memories of this trip.

You can watch the video I made of this trip at:
https://youtu.be/YUZdd-FzUdE

The week of Sukkot is very exciting here in Israel. When you walk down the streets in Tel Aviv you see a sukkah here and a sukkah there in almost every direction, and that's pretty surprising since it is such a secular city. But Hadossa hadn't been to the Wall yet, so it was time to go to Jerusalem. Yesterday we took a train to the Malcha Station in Jerusalem and then went shopping at an outdoor bazaar nearby. After having lunch at the Jerusalem Mall, we hopped on a bus to the nearest stop outside the Jaffa Gate. The streets were literally packed in every direction. We made our way through the Jaffa Gate and into the throng of the Old City. We explored some passageways, discovered the Cardo Maximus and the ruins of a synagogue that had been destroyed, asked numerous people for directions, and finally found the Wall. It was so satisfying to be there...when you are in Jerusalem, you wonder why anyone bothers to go anywhere else. It was a wonderful day...Happy Sukkot!