Masada and The Dead Sea

Masada

About 34 miles south of Qumran is Masada and as we are traveling we are getting some good looks at the Dead Sea.

And, of course, we can't help but snap pictures even though we will be eating lunch at the shore of the Dead Sea.And have the opportunity to swim in the Dead Sea but that's a story for later!!Here is our first look at the desert fortress of Masada!! A little introduction before we proceed...

The only written source about Masada is Josephus Flavius’ The Jewish War. Born Joseph ben Matityahu of a priestly family, he was a young leader at the outbreak of the Great Jewish Rebellion against Rome (66 CE) when he was appointed governor of Galilee. He managed to survive the suicide pact of the last defenders of Jodfat and surrendered to Vespasian (who shortly thereafter was proclaimed emperor) – events he described in detail. Calling himself Josephus Flavius, he became a Roman citizen and a successful historian. Moral judgment aside, his accounts have been proved largely accurate.

According to Josephus Flavius, Herod the Great built the fortress of Masada between 37 and 31 BCE. Herod, an Idumean, had been made King of Judea by his Roman overlords and was hated by his Jewish subjects. Herod, the master builder, “furnished this fortress as a refuge for himself."

Some 75 years after Herod’s death, at the beginning of the Revolt of the Jews against the Romans in 66 CE, a group of Jewish rebels overcame the Roman garrison of Masada. After the fall of Jerusalem and the destruction of the Temple (70 CE) they were joined by zealots and their families who had fled from Jerusalem. With Masada as their base, they raided and harassed the Romans for two years.

Then, in 73 CE, the Roman governor Flavius Silva marched against Masada with the Tenth Legion, auxiliary units and thousands of Jewish prisoners-of-war. Josephus Flavius dramatically recounts the story told him by two surviving women. The defenders – almost one thousand men, women and children – led by Eleazar ben Ya’ir, decided to burn the fortress and end their own lives, rather than be taken alive.

To Israelis and many others, Masada symbolizes the determination of the Jewish people to be free in its own land. ~Jewish Virtual Library

Here our group is waiting for the cable car to take us up to the top of the rock cliff.

Those that had a problem with heights were a little anxious about this trip - my problem was with the number of people they had allowed on one car. I think the limit was 80 people!! :o You can see below the "snake path" that people can walk up to visit the fortress.The bridge to enter the fortress.For many years, new recruits have participated in a ceremony at Masada when they finish basic training. They hike 15 miles from Jerusalem in full gear and then run up the snake trail to the top of Masada. Here they are sworn in as Israeli soldiers and receive their red berets. I did not witness this, but I was made to understand that afterwards, they march to the southern end of Masada and shout three times in Hebrew: “MASADA SHALL NEVER FALL AGAIN! MASADA SHALL NEVER FALL AGAIN! MASADA SHALL NEVER FALL AGAIN!”I believe we went to the western palace. Who knew there would be a choice?!That is the original plaster on the remaining wall behind Kenny.Floor in the anteroom of the western palace; probably used by the Zealots as a kitchen.

The black line whenever seen indicates that anything below it is original and anything above has been reconstructed.This room may have been King Herod's throne room in the Western Palace when he was in residence in Masada.

Pat and I don't want to leave the shade!

The above picture is of the public immersion pool. And the plaster work that remained was so good - it was amazing!

We are now inside the ruins of the Byzantine church.The decoration that remained on the walls of the Byzantine church.

This is the picture looking down over the wall over the fortress to where the Romans would have built their rampart.And this would be looking more to where the Roman encampment would have been in the lower left of the picture.

We are sitting in the Synagogue built by Herod. It was a hall measuring 12.5 x 10.5 m., incorporated into the northwestern section of the casemate wall and oriented towards Jerusalem. This synagogue also served the Jews who lived in Masada during the Revolt. They built four tiers of plastered benches along the walls, as well as columns to support its ceiling. This synagogue is considered to be the best example of the early synagogues, those predating the destruction of the Temple of Jerusalem in 70 CE.Kenny pointed out that it was here that the Jews decided on their fate.

This is the Northern Palace or otherwise known as King Herod's residential palace. We did not climb down to see this but I will on my next visit!!The Dead Sea

After Masada we went to the Crowne Plaza in Ein Bokek, Israel which sits on the shores of the Dead Sea. Here we had lunch and had access to the spa, beach, and pool!

There was an indoor pool for those who wanted to stay out of the sun.

The pool was beautiful but the sun was intense even if the Dead Sea is the lowest place on earth and the deadliest sun rays don't reach your skin you still will burn.

It is at this point that I have to apologize to my sister because I threw a big fit about her not taking my picture! I am at a point in my life that being in my bathing suit around others is not high on my list of things to do much less being photographed but boy did I over react! Sorry, Pat!

In case you don't know you can't swim in the Dead Sea - you can only float! I would think it would be like trying to swim in a thin jello!! I was glad I tried it but I wasn't there long because the sun is so intense and I am so fair.

"Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’" John 7:38