creative jewish mom

The Tomb Of The Son's Of Hezir In Jerusalem

The Tomb of The Son's of Hezir, located in the Kidron Valley adjacent to Jerusalem's Old City, is actually historically correct (unlike the Tomb of Absalom and the Tomb of Zechariah that are neither tombs nor for those attributed!) and was teh burial cave for an important family of Kohanim, priests in the Holy Temple.

This hewn (meaning carved from the hill) burial cave is dated to the Hasmonean period (the second century BCE), and above the opening is an inscription identifying the deceased which says: "This is the tomb and the nefesh of Eliezer, Haniah, Joezer, Judah, Simeon, Johanan, sons of Joseph son of Obed. Joseph and Eliezer sons of Haniah;priest of Bnei Hezir"
The sons of Hezir are known from the Torah as one of the 24 priestly families in Jerusalem (Nehemiah 10:21;1 Chron 24:15) Wow! Lets have a closer look at this amazing historic site.......

The Tomb Of Zechariah In Jerusalem

The Tomb of Zechariah, which is located in the Kidron Valley at the foot of the Mount of Olives is truly a stunning site. But please don't be disappointed to learn that Zechariah is not buried here. It was constructed apparently for someone else, who for whatever reason did not merit to have their name associated with it thousands of years later. Such is life! Or rather such is history, things get mixed up a bit, sort of like the game of telephone, but over a long period of time. Will Americans understand in a thousand years why kleenex is called kleenex? Do you even know why is it called that today, just 50 or so years later? Sorry, I digress, just an example to illustrate my point.

The Tomb of Zechariah is entirely hewn from stone, and was never used for burial as it has no interior space, rather it is a monument for a burial complex that commemorated the name of the deceased. The monument dates to the end of the Second Temple period (first century BCE) and reveals a mixture of styles. Particularly prominent are the columns and capitals in Greek architectural style. While the complex was attributed to Zechariah the prophet late in its history; apparently it is the burial monument of a Second Temple period Judean noble. Its facade bears inscriptions carved by Jewish pilgrims in various periods.

The Tomb Of Absalom In Jerusalem

This past Passover holiday I finally had the chance to visit a spot previously only seen from the car, The Tomb of Absalom. Absolutely do include this in your next visit to Jerusalem's Old City, it is truly interesting! Located in the Kidron Valley, or Valley of The Kings, at the bottom of the Mount of Olives Jewish cemetary, the Tomb of Absalom is not really a tomb as far as anyone knows, and if it it, not of Absalom, but so be it, history gets a bit mixed up sometimes over the course of thousands of years! Just as the Tower of David has nothing to do with David, as he lived in the City of David, not far from Absalom's Tomb, so too, sorry to say Absalom lucked out with this one! In any case, Absalom's tomb is easily accessible via a long staircase from the road that leads to the Dung Gate, just exit the Kotel via Dung Gate, turn right, walk down the road, and you'll find it! Okay, lets take a closer look!

This splendid burial monument dates to the end of the Second Temple period. The lower part of the monument is hewn from the stone on the site, and the upper part is constructed. The name derives from the biblical verse that tells of Absalom's construction of a monument for himself during his lifetime, which he called Absalom's monument. However, there is no connection between the account in the Torah, and the structure you see here, which was built 1,000 years later. The style in which the monument was hewn combines various architectural traditions typical of Jewish design at the end of the Second Temple period. The interior of the monument is hollow, containing a staircase and a burial niche. Though it is not clear if it was used for burial.

Wow, on this day of Chol Hamoed Passover there was a festival with crafts and camel rides and tours, which explains all the people!

Police on horseback is always dramatic, though even without them, this site is amazing!

A photo circa 1900 shows a group of Jews gathered at Absalom's tomb, looking towards the Temple Mount. This was taken from the Mount of Olives cemetary above the tomb, and the road in the background does not exist today as far as I can tell.

Come experience the amazing history in Israel, you won't regret it!

 

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Fields Of Red Poppies In The Kidron Valley, Jerusalem

Okay dear readers, here is another WOW moment that happened to me and my 13 year old son during our adventures in the Old City of Jerusalem this past Passover. While these amazing fields of red poppies in bloom in the Kidron Valley, just below the walls of the Old City, was something publicized on a poster, I did not see that poster (fortunately) and completely by accident we stumbled upon one of the most stunning displays of wild flowers I have ever seen in Israel, any I really just couldn't believe it. I also couldn't believe that while this is something that occurs each Spring, it was new to me. Wow, wow, wow. After a tour of an Arab village, called Kfar Shiloach, with armed guards  (more on that later) instead of going up with our group through the area now called The City of David, we started along a path that leads to the Valley of The Kings, and came upon these amazing fields in bloom. If you are in Jerusalem in the spring, don't miss it! And in the mean time, enjoy!

Lovely Weeds On The Old City Jerusalem Walls

During our 11 night stay in the Old City of Jerusalem, one of my favorite sites was the Ramparts Walk, NOT TO BE MISSED! And of course, as a lover of things botanical, I just had to photograph some of the weeds growing on the ancient walls. And guess what, my daughter (who had to speed ahead in order to catch a bus back up North and bring the rest of our Passover food from the freezer at home as we unexpectedly decided to stay in Jerusalem) took the very same picture of the very same weed. Such a proud parent moment! This weed looks very similar to a snap dragon, and likely is in the same famliy. Enjoy, and don't forget to keep your eyes open for weeds growing in unexpected places where ever you go!

What Is The Temple Mount? Can I Go There?

Entrance to The Temple Mount within the Muslim Quarter, Jewish Law forbids entrance by Jews, and in any case only Muslims are allowed entrance through this gate.

The Temple Mount refers to the elevated plaza above the Kotel (Western Wall) in Jerusalem that was the site of both of The Jewish People's ancient temples.  The first temple, built by King Solomon, was destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 BCE. The second was built in the sixth century BCE and stood for nearly 600 years before it was destroyed and the Jewish people exiled in 70 CE by the Roman Empire. Jews continue to mourn the destruction on the fast day of Tisha B’Av, and in the three weeks prior to the fast day, starting on the 17th of Tammuz, the day in which the walls were breached. The significance of this site to other religions occurred after the Jews were expelled. Check out my post on The Kotel HaKatan, the Small Wailing Wall, which is located right next to this Temple Mount entrance.

Are Jews permitted to visit the mount?

Yes but please DO NOT. Traditional Jewish law prohibits entry to the the site, as entry to the Holy of Holies, the innermost sanctum of the temple, as strictly forbidden, and as a result Jews who observe Jewish law do not enter the Temple Mount at all for fear of treading on sacred ground. Though some have challenged this ruling, in 2005 a group of prominent Israeli rabbis, reiterated an earlier religious edict that “no man nor woman should set foot in the entire area of the Temple Mount. The Western Wall, the last standing retaining wall of the Temple Mount, is the closest to the mount that Jews are traditionally permitted to pray. But not to worry, we know our temple will be rebuilt, and once again the Jews will have access to the Temple Mount. How exactly will this happen, well we really don't know, but we believe 100% that it will happen and that it will be good not just for the Jewish People, but for the entire world.

What is Israel’s policy on access to the mount?

The Temple Mount may be accessed by anyone, but entry to the Dome of the Rock is restricted to Muslims. Though there are multiple gates to access the site, non-Muslims must enter through the Mughrabi Gate, located near the Western Wall plaza. Israeli security controls the entry points. At moments of elevated tensions, Israel has occasionally closed the site to visitors, including Muslim worshippers.

Looking into the Temple Mount through the Muslim only gate.

A closer look shows us an interesting juxtaposition of Jewish and Muslim tradition, and lucky timing as far as the moment the photo was taken!

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The Kotel HaKatan, The Small Wailing Wall In Jerusalem

We are now in a period on the Jewish calander called "The Three Weeks" which is the 3 weeks leading up to the holiday called Tisha B'Av, The 9th of Av. The 9th of Av is a mandatory fast day (except for those under 12/13, elderly, ill or possibly just after birth) and is the saddest day of the year, the day in which we mourn the loss of our Holy Temple in Jerusalem. For the next 2 weeks I'll be sharing with you many interesting photographs from our stray in the Old City of Jerusalem, which helps put this history dating back to 2,000 years ago in perspective.

One of the amazing sights that we visited this past Passover in Old City Jerusalem for the first time was the Kotel HaKatan, The Small Wailing Wall. I'm embarrassed to admit I didn't even know about it, though grateful that I do now, due to a whole week plus in the Old City of Jerusalem, which enabled us to see so many new things! The Kotel HaKatan, is, like THE Kotel, part of the Western Wall surrounding the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, and no less holy as far as I know, just not so accessible, and certainly not able to accomodate crowds. Ah yes, and if you are Jewish it may take a bit of bravery to get there. My teenage daughter declined stepping into the Muslim quarter and waited for us on the other side of the security gate, which I can totally understand. And please don't take my word for it that visiting the Kotel HaKatan is totally safe, do your research and certainly do not go at night. If you don't look obviously Jewish (as we do) or are not Jewish then I'd say the risk is minimal, as there is a guard and a police station within the vicinity. Interested? Lets take a closer look!
After going through the security gate leading into the Muslim quarter (at the end of the Kotel) walk straight through the souk and when you see the sign The Small Kotel, or The Small Kotel Police Station, turn right, walk a bit, partly through a tunnel, and you will see this, the entrance to the temple mount! Wow. Skip going onto the Temple Mount if you are Jewish (Jewish law forbids it) rather take a left through the little arch next to the guy in the burgandy t-shirt.

Within the little arch you will see this sign. Almost there!

And here we are The Small Wailing Wall, by some small miracle the adjoining house needed a courtyard, and this portion was left exposed! Other buildings quite simply used the wall as a wall of their homes, imagine that. Pause, reflect, and do whatever you might do at the Kotel.

Truly special.

As you can see, despite hundreds of thousands of people streaming through the kotel during the holiday week of Passover, we were the only ones here.

Do include a visit to the Kotel HaKatan in your next visit to Jerusalem, and while one does not need armed accompaniment, maybe you can strike up a conversation with an Israeli soldier and get them to escort you there! Again, please don't take my word for it that one should visit this special spot, ask the police scattered around the area and do your research. We felt that the risk was minimal and worth it. Many Jews pass through the Muslim quarter everyday, and there are also Jewish families living within the Muslim quarter in homes that once belonged to Jews.

I hope you enjoyed this little tour, stay tuned for many more holy sites tocome!

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Blessing Of The Kohanim At The Kotel During Passover

Attending the blessing by the Kohanim at the Kotel on the second day of chol hamoed Pesach was amazing, and a first for our family. We were fortunate enough to have an invitation to a rooftop balcony to enjoy the event way above the crowds, and it was indeed very special! It is true that Kohanim bless their community every Shabbat and holiday in the Beit Knesset, but in this case there are so many Kohanim, that the likely hood of having at least one with a direct line to the original Kohanim from the Biat HaMikdash, The Holy Temple, is quite great. And truly, seeing all these people gathered in this holy place is something amazing! I'm quickly sharing with you the photos I took from afar, as well as some of the rooftop view, enjoy!

Dale Chihuly At The Tower Of David Citadel, Jerusalem

The Tower of David is now one of my favorite places in Old City Jerusalem, and while we missed his fabulous show at the museum in 2000, glass artist Dale Chihuly did leave a few items in the museum which I was delighted to see this past week. Now I'm regretting that I didn't make an effort to go see his historically famous show, as back then I didn't appreciate his work, sigh. What I didn't realize at the time is that the colorful glass forms for which Dale Chihuly is famous look amazing together with the medieval fortress stones, and this choice as a venue for the show was intentional as well as brilliant. It is so interesting that the glass forms of the chandelier piece seen here look like snakes or fire or any number of things that truly embue the medieval aesthetic! (Of course if you put this piece in an aquarium or natural history museum it looks like squid or octopi!) Lets take a look at a few more pieces Dale left behind after the show, shall we?

The Tower Of David Citadel Museum, Jerusalem

This Passover we were given the last minute gift of a complimentary vacation rental apartment in the Old City of Jerusalem for the duration of the holiday, in exchange for hosting a single father and his two sons for the Passover seder and a few days after that. It is true, for some all the rush and uncertainty together with preparing the kitchen properly wouldn't be a gift, but for us it certainly was! We had the opportunity to explore the history of Jerusalem up close, experience living withing a walled city, and witness the crowds who flock to the Western Wall for the entire week. One of the places I'll now recommend to everyone is The Tower of David Museum, both an interesting archeological site and a museum in one, with a fabulous night experience projected on the walls to boot! There are lots of stairs and places to explore, so it is perfect for kids, and the panoramic view one can enjoy by climbing to the top of one of the towers is uncomparable. The Tower of David Museum is located adjacent to Jaffa Gate, the entrance most take when visiting the city, so its location is also perfect! Lets take a look......