Israel Trip, Part 5

We started the fifth day of our tour at a famous fortress in the desert known as Masada (built on the top of that mountain plateau).  Again, this location doesn't have any Biblical significance, but it is a fascinating study in both Jewish and Roman history.  Masada was one of the many locations where King Herod built an elaborate get-away palace.  

This is what archeologists determine the palatial structure would have looked like.  It was spread over three levels and included everything a royal family would have needed for the ultimate comfort and luxury...even in the desert.

Eventually, however, the fortress was abandoned by the royal family.  Years later, after the fall of Jerusalem, Jews on the run from the Romans took refuge in the fortress.  Its location afforded them amazing military advantage over their enemies since the only way to reach the top was by walking the "snake path" up the side of the mountain.  For months, hundreds of Roman soldiers camped out around the base of the mountain trying to figure out a way to conquer these Jewish "outlaws", but to no avail.  At long last, they built a siege ramp using Jewish slaves to do the labor.  Since the Jews living in Masada refused to shoot arrows at their brethren, the ramp was successfully built, the Romans secretly constructed a battering ram which they maneuvered up the ramp, and the Jews knew they were doomed.  However, rather than allow their women and children to be raped and enslaved by the Romans upon their impending deaths, the men of Masada made the excruciating decision to kill their own families and then themselves, rather than fall to the Romans.

As you can imagine, our tour of the ruins of this ancient fortress was quite interesting!

 Most of us chose to ride to the top of the fortress via modern-day cable car.

 However, a few brave and ambitious ones, including Nathan, opted to take the old snake path on foot.  You can see him and his companions at the very bottom.  It took him about 45 minutes to climb to the top.


A hot but satisfying climb!

Remains of the old fortress still intact.

 This is a view from the top looking down on the siege ramp.

 

 Here is a side angle.

If my memory is correct, it took the Romans (and the Jewish slaves) several months to finish the ramp.

 Pictured here are the cubby holes used by the Jews for housing pigeons which they used for meat, messages, and manure.

 A copy of the Torah.

 A Jewish scribe busy at work, copying the Torah the old fashioned way, one ink letter at a time.

 Some of the fresco used for decorating the walls in the old Herodian palace.  I am amazed any of it can still be seen!

 The rock quarry on Masada where all the stones were chiseled out for the construction of the fortress.

 After touring Masada, we made our way just up the road to Engedi.  Engedi was one of my favorite experiences in Israel!  It is a literal oasis in the desert featuring beautiful waterfalls all throughout and great hiking!  Engedi was where David hid with his men in caves when they were on the run from King Saul (remember the story of him cutting Saul's robe off while he slept?).  It was easy to see why David picked this location for a place to hide out.  There was so much fresh water available to him and his men and lots of ideal hiding places!

 Our tour guide, Jacob.

 The waterfall climb.

 

 The caves in the area.

 Enjoying the fresh beauty after so much desert scenery!

 

The hiking in this area was so fun!

 Heading down the trail...you can see the Dead Sea in the background.

 After leaving Engedi, we began the journey to Jerusalem where we would spend the remainder of our time in Israel.  Along the way, we stopped off at the "wilderness outlook" for a glance at the territory where Jesus experienced temptation from Satan.  This was also a very meaningful place to see as it made His 40 days in the wilderness understandable in a realistic way.

 Bedouins came by during our time of Bible teaching there trying to earn a little money with camel rides, donkey rides, and the sale of scarves.

Next up: our time in Jerusalem!