Even though this is my 6th trip to Israel, I am overwhelmed by the beauty of the land and it's deep connection to the Bible and the promises of God. I hope that this picture journal will give you a taste of what I am experiencing and that it will, perhaps, motivate you to come visit the Land yourself.
Rabbi Josh
Rabbi Josh
Givat Ze'ev At Dusk
Many thanks to those keeping my son and I in prayer and to those who generously donated financially to help us make this trip. It has been a real blessing to be here in the Holy Land and to visit with so many of our family members and friends, many of whom we had not seen in five years. This picture was taken from the backyard at the home of one of my brothers. He and his family and my parents live in a town called Givat Ze'ev in territory that was allotted to the tribe of Benjamin and is just north of Jerusalem. On the other side of the mountain in the picture is the valley were Joshua commanded the sun to stand still that he might defeat the Amorites who attacked the Gibeonites with whom Israel had made a covenant.
Joshua 10:12-14
Then Joshua spoke to the LORD in the day when the LORD delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel. He said in the sight of Israel, “Sun, stand still on Gibeon! You, moon, stop in the valley of Aijalon!” The sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the nation had avenged themselves of their enemies. Isn’t this written in the book of Jashar? The sun stayed in the middle of the sky, and didn’t hurry to go down about a whole day. There was no day like that before it or after it, that the LORD listened to the voice of a man; for the LORD fought for Israel.
Many thanks to those keeping my son and I in prayer and to those who generously donated financially to help us make this trip. It has been a real blessing to be here in the Holy Land and to visit with so many of our family members and friends, many of whom we had not seen in five years. This picture was taken from the backyard at the home of one of my brothers. He and his family and my parents live in a town called Givat Ze'ev in territory that was allotted to the tribe of Benjamin and is just north of Jerusalem. On the other side of the mountain in the picture is the valley were Joshua commanded the sun to stand still that he might defeat the Amorites who attacked the Gibeonites with whom Israel had made a covenant.
Joshua 10:12-14
Then Joshua spoke to the LORD in the day when the LORD delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel. He said in the sight of Israel, “Sun, stand still on Gibeon! You, moon, stop in the valley of Aijalon!” The sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the nation had avenged themselves of their enemies. Isn’t this written in the book of Jashar? The sun stayed in the middle of the sky, and didn’t hurry to go down about a whole day. There was no day like that before it or after it, that the LORD listened to the voice of a man; for the LORD fought for Israel.
A View of Jerusalem at Night
This view is from The Promenade overlooking the City of David and the Old City of Jerusalem, a short walk from one of my brother's homes. The bright lights in the middle of the picture are the Temple Mount. The lights of the city include both Arab, Christian, and Jewish sections. As I looked out on this site I was reminded of biblical description of the coming fullness of the Kingdom of Heaven in which the Lord will reign from Mt. Zion over all people.
Isaiah 2:2-4
It shall happen in the latter days, that the mountain of the LORD’s house shall be established on the top of the mountains, and shall be raised above the hills; and all nations shall flow to it. Many peoples shall go and say, “Come, let’s go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths.” For out of Zion the law shall go out, and the LORD’s word from Jerusalem. He will judge between the nations, and will decide concerning many peoples; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.
This view is from The Promenade overlooking the City of David and the Old City of Jerusalem, a short walk from one of my brother's homes. The bright lights in the middle of the picture are the Temple Mount. The lights of the city include both Arab, Christian, and Jewish sections. As I looked out on this site I was reminded of biblical description of the coming fullness of the Kingdom of Heaven in which the Lord will reign from Mt. Zion over all people.
Isaiah 2:2-4
It shall happen in the latter days, that the mountain of the LORD’s house shall be established on the top of the mountains, and shall be raised above the hills; and all nations shall flow to it. Many peoples shall go and say, “Come, let’s go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths.” For out of Zion the law shall go out, and the LORD’s word from Jerusalem. He will judge between the nations, and will decide concerning many peoples; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.
A View of Jerusalem from The Promenade
Across the valley is the Temple Mount and behind that is the Mount of Olives where Yeshua was betrayed.
Luke 22:39-53
He came out and went, as his custom was, to the Mount of Olives. His disciples also followed him. When he was at the place, he said to them, “Pray that you don’t enter into temptation.” He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and he knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” An angel from heaven appeared to him, strengthening him. Being in agony he prayed more earnestly. His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down on the ground. When he rose up from his prayer, he came to the disciples, and found them sleeping because of grief, and said to them, “Why do you sleep? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation.” While he was still speaking, behold, a multitude, and he who was called Judah, one of the twelve, was leading them. He came near to Yeshua to kiss him. But Yeshua said to him, “Judah, do you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?” When those who were around him saw what was about to happen, they said to him, “Lord, shall we strike with the sword?” A certain one of them struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear. But Yeshua answered, “Let me at least do this”—and he touched his ear, and healed him. Yeshua said to the chief priests, captains of the temple, and elders, who had come against him, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs? When I was with you in the temple daily, you didn’t stretch out your hands against me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness.”
Across the valley is the Temple Mount and behind that is the Mount of Olives where Yeshua was betrayed.
Luke 22:39-53
He came out and went, as his custom was, to the Mount of Olives. His disciples also followed him. When he was at the place, he said to them, “Pray that you don’t enter into temptation.” He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and he knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” An angel from heaven appeared to him, strengthening him. Being in agony he prayed more earnestly. His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down on the ground. When he rose up from his prayer, he came to the disciples, and found them sleeping because of grief, and said to them, “Why do you sleep? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation.” While he was still speaking, behold, a multitude, and he who was called Judah, one of the twelve, was leading them. He came near to Yeshua to kiss him. But Yeshua said to him, “Judah, do you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?” When those who were around him saw what was about to happen, they said to him, “Lord, shall we strike with the sword?” A certain one of them struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear. But Yeshua answered, “Let me at least do this”—and he touched his ear, and healed him. Yeshua said to the chief priests, captains of the temple, and elders, who had come against him, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs? When I was with you in the temple daily, you didn’t stretch out your hands against me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness.”
Mikvot (Ritual Baths) in Jerusalem
Outside of the city walls of the Old City of Jerusalem are several ritual baths (mikvot, singular - mikvah) in which Jews would purify themselves before entering the Temple area. These were probably the same baths used for tevillah (immersion/baptism) by the new believers in the Acts 2 revival.
Acts 2:38-41
Peter said to them, “Repent, and be immersed, every one of you, in the name of Yeshua the Messiah for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you, and to your children, and to all who are far off, even as many as the Lord our God will call to himself.” With many other words he testified, and exhorted them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation!” Then those who gladly received his word were immersed. There were added that day about three thousand souls.
Outside of the city walls of the Old City of Jerusalem are several ritual baths (mikvot, singular - mikvah) in which Jews would purify themselves before entering the Temple area. These were probably the same baths used for tevillah (immersion/baptism) by the new believers in the Acts 2 revival.
Acts 2:38-41
Peter said to them, “Repent, and be immersed, every one of you, in the name of Yeshua the Messiah for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you, and to your children, and to all who are far off, even as many as the Lord our God will call to himself.” With many other words he testified, and exhorted them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation!” Then those who gladly received his word were immersed. There were added that day about three thousand souls.
The Walls of King David's Palace
One of the more exciting archaeological finds in recent years has been the discovery of what is almost surely the wall of King David's Palace in what is known to be the City of David (a little South of the Temple Mount). Yeshua's kingdom is built on, among other things, the fulfillment of God's promises to David and his throne. While here, I felt like archaeology was exposing not only ancient buildings, but also the seed and roots from which the Kingdom of God sprouted.
2 Samuel 7:12,13 (God's promise to David - fulfilled in Yeshua, a descendant of David)
When your days are fulfilled, and you sleep with your fathers, I will set up your offspring after you, who will proceed out of your body, and I will establish his kingdom. He will build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.
One of the more exciting archaeological finds in recent years has been the discovery of what is almost surely the wall of King David's Palace in what is known to be the City of David (a little South of the Temple Mount). Yeshua's kingdom is built on, among other things, the fulfillment of God's promises to David and his throne. While here, I felt like archaeology was exposing not only ancient buildings, but also the seed and roots from which the Kingdom of God sprouted.
2 Samuel 7:12,13 (God's promise to David - fulfilled in Yeshua, a descendant of David)
When your days are fulfilled, and you sleep with your fathers, I will set up your offspring after you, who will proceed out of your body, and I will establish his kingdom. He will build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.
The Walk Down to Hezekiah's Tunnel
Here is a picture of my family and a friend as we descend the walkway down to Hezekiah's Tunnel (Siloam Tunnel). The tunnel is a 1,750 foot long walk in the pitch black (bring a flashlight) through a cold stream of water (about a foot in depth). The tunnel is only about as wide as a man's shoulders (not for the claustrophobic). Though some doubt that this is actually the tunnel Hezekiah built, having read the arguments both for and against it, I am pretty convinced that this is the actual tunnel described in the Bible which Hezekiah built to withstand the coming Assyrian siege against Jerusalem.
2 Kings 20:20
Now the rest of the acts of Hezekiah, and all his might, and how he made the pool, and the conduit, and brought water into the city, aren’t they written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?
2 Chronicles 32:30
This same Hezekiah also stopped the upper spring of the waters of Gihon, and brought them straight down on the west side of David’s city. Hezekiah prospered in all his works.
Here is a picture of my family and a friend as we descend the walkway down to Hezekiah's Tunnel (Siloam Tunnel). The tunnel is a 1,750 foot long walk in the pitch black (bring a flashlight) through a cold stream of water (about a foot in depth). The tunnel is only about as wide as a man's shoulders (not for the claustrophobic). Though some doubt that this is actually the tunnel Hezekiah built, having read the arguments both for and against it, I am pretty convinced that this is the actual tunnel described in the Bible which Hezekiah built to withstand the coming Assyrian siege against Jerusalem.
2 Kings 20:20
Now the rest of the acts of Hezekiah, and all his might, and how he made the pool, and the conduit, and brought water into the city, aren’t they written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?
2 Chronicles 32:30
This same Hezekiah also stopped the upper spring of the waters of Gihon, and brought them straight down on the west side of David’s city. Hezekiah prospered in all his works.
The Siloam Pool
Hezekiah's Tunnel brings the waters of the Gihon Spring to the Siloam Pool. While the pool was not clean nor is it in the glorious state it was in ancient times, I nonetheless, found it thrilling to be in one of the locations where Yeshua had performed a miracle.
John 9:1-7 - As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Yeshua answered, “This man didn’t sin, nor did his parents; but, that the works of God might be revealed in him. I must work the works of him who sent me while it is day. The night is coming, when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” When he had said this, he spat on the ground, made mud with the saliva, anointed the blind man’s eyes with the mud, and said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means “Sent”). So he went away, washed, and came back seeing.
Hezekiah's Tunnel brings the waters of the Gihon Spring to the Siloam Pool. While the pool was not clean nor is it in the glorious state it was in ancient times, I nonetheless, found it thrilling to be in one of the locations where Yeshua had performed a miracle.
John 9:1-7 - As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Yeshua answered, “This man didn’t sin, nor did his parents; but, that the works of God might be revealed in him. I must work the works of him who sent me while it is day. The night is coming, when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” When he had said this, he spat on the ground, made mud with the saliva, anointed the blind man’s eyes with the mud, and said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means “Sent”). So he went away, washed, and came back seeing.
The Kotel (Western Wall)
Outside of the Temple Mount (which Jews are forbidden by the Muslim caretakers to pray on), the Western Wall is considered the holiest site in all of Judaism. Many of the stones date back to the time of Yeshua. The wall was built as a retaining wall for the magnificent developments that King Herod made to the Temple and other structures on the Temple Mount. All of those structures on the Temple Mount were demolished when the Romans destroyed Jerusalem during the Jewish revolt in the year 70 CE, an event we still commemorate with the fast on the 9th of Av (Tisha B'av). Yeshua foretold this destruction and the running over of Jerusalem by the Gentiles. However, he also let us know that there would be an end to this time. While the full glory of Jerusalem still awaits us, it is exciting to see Jerusalem and the Western Wall in Jewish hands again.
Luke 21:20-24
“But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is at hand. Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let those who are in the middle of her depart. Let those who are in the country not enter therein. For these are days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who nurse infants in those days! For there will be great distress in the land, and wrath to this people. They will fall by the edge of the sword, and will be led captive into all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled down by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled."
Outside of the Temple Mount (which Jews are forbidden by the Muslim caretakers to pray on), the Western Wall is considered the holiest site in all of Judaism. Many of the stones date back to the time of Yeshua. The wall was built as a retaining wall for the magnificent developments that King Herod made to the Temple and other structures on the Temple Mount. All of those structures on the Temple Mount were demolished when the Romans destroyed Jerusalem during the Jewish revolt in the year 70 CE, an event we still commemorate with the fast on the 9th of Av (Tisha B'av). Yeshua foretold this destruction and the running over of Jerusalem by the Gentiles. However, he also let us know that there would be an end to this time. While the full glory of Jerusalem still awaits us, it is exciting to see Jerusalem and the Western Wall in Jewish hands again.
Luke 21:20-24
“But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is at hand. Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let those who are in the middle of her depart. Let those who are in the country not enter therein. For these are days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who nurse infants in those days! For there will be great distress in the land, and wrath to this people. They will fall by the edge of the sword, and will be led captive into all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled down by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled."
Har Shmuel
(Mountain of Samuel)
A short walk from my parents' home is Har Shmuel, a stunning mountain top with incredible views reaching all the way into Jerusalem. While the site is most likely not the tomb of Samuel the prophet, the mountain is rich with archeology dating back to biblical times. The building on top is built over what is traditionally thought to be Samuel's grave and houses both a synagogue (on the lower level) and a mosque. The structure dates from various time periods but the bulk of the building was built by Crusaders. Har Shmuel is one of the highest of the mountains that surround Jerusalem. As we sat down in at a picnic table on top of the mountain, my dad and I read Psalm 125.
Psalm 125
A Song of Ascents. Those who trust in the LORD are as Mount Zion, which can’t be moved, but remains forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds his people from this time forward and forever more. For the scepter of wickedness won’t remain over the allotment of the righteous; so that the righteous won’t use their hands to do evil. Do good, LORD, to those who are good, to those who are upright in their hearts. But as for those who turn away to their crooked ways, The LORD will lead them away with the workers of iniquity. Peace be on Israel.
(Mountain of Samuel)
A short walk from my parents' home is Har Shmuel, a stunning mountain top with incredible views reaching all the way into Jerusalem. While the site is most likely not the tomb of Samuel the prophet, the mountain is rich with archeology dating back to biblical times. The building on top is built over what is traditionally thought to be Samuel's grave and houses both a synagogue (on the lower level) and a mosque. The structure dates from various time periods but the bulk of the building was built by Crusaders. Har Shmuel is one of the highest of the mountains that surround Jerusalem. As we sat down in at a picnic table on top of the mountain, my dad and I read Psalm 125.
Psalm 125
A Song of Ascents. Those who trust in the LORD are as Mount Zion, which can’t be moved, but remains forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds his people from this time forward and forever more. For the scepter of wickedness won’t remain over the allotment of the righteous; so that the righteous won’t use their hands to do evil. Do good, LORD, to those who are good, to those who are upright in their hearts. But as for those who turn away to their crooked ways, The LORD will lead them away with the workers of iniquity. Peace be on Israel.
A View from Har Shmuel
Some of the ruins of Har Shmeul are in the foreground and the towns of the Jerusalem area are seen off in the distance.
Some of the ruins of Har Shmeul are in the foreground and the towns of the Jerusalem area are seen off in the distance.
Ein Kerem
Ein Kerem (Spring of the Vineyard) is an artist colony in Jerusalem and the traditional place of Yochanan HaMatvil (John the Baptist). Jewish mikvot (ritual baths) have been found here that date from biblical times.
Luke 1:57-66
Now the time that Elisheva should give birth was fulfilled, and she gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and her relatives heard that the Lord had magnified his mercy towards her, and they rejoiced with her. On the eighth day, they came to circumcise the child; and they would have called him Zechariah, after the name of his father. His mother answered, “Not so; but he will be called Yochanan.” They said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who is called by this name.” They made signs to his father, what he would have him called. He asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, “His name is Yochanan.” They all marveled. His mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue freed, and he spoke, blessing God. Fear came on all who lived around them, and all these sayings were talked about throughout all the hill country of Judea. All who heard them laid them up in their heart, saying, “What then will this child be?” The hand of the Lord was with him.
Ein Kerem (Spring of the Vineyard) is an artist colony in Jerusalem and the traditional place of Yochanan HaMatvil (John the Baptist). Jewish mikvot (ritual baths) have been found here that date from biblical times.
Luke 1:57-66
Now the time that Elisheva should give birth was fulfilled, and she gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and her relatives heard that the Lord had magnified his mercy towards her, and they rejoiced with her. On the eighth day, they came to circumcise the child; and they would have called him Zechariah, after the name of his father. His mother answered, “Not so; but he will be called Yochanan.” They said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who is called by this name.” They made signs to his father, what he would have him called. He asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, “His name is Yochanan.” They all marveled. His mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue freed, and he spoke, blessing God. Fear came on all who lived around them, and all these sayings were talked about throughout all the hill country of Judea. All who heard them laid them up in their heart, saying, “What then will this child be?” The hand of the Lord was with him.
A Walkway in G'vat Zeev
Most of the walkways and homes in Israel are made with a beautiful type of limestone called "Jerusalem Stone".
Psalm 116:11
You will show me the path of life. In your presence is fullness of joy. In your right hand there are pleasures forever more.
Most of the walkways and homes in Israel are made with a beautiful type of limestone called "Jerusalem Stone".
Psalm 116:11
You will show me the path of life. In your presence is fullness of joy. In your right hand there are pleasures forever more.
Entrance to the Jerusalem Shuk
Off of Jaffa street in downtown Jerusalem is a shopping district known as the Shuk. It is busiest on Fridays as people prepare for the arrival of Shabbat when almost all things shut down. One of the staples for the Friday evening meal are two loaves of challah that recall the gathering of a double-portion of manna to prepare for the Sabbath in the days of Moses.
Exodus 16:13-23
In the evening, quail came up and covered the camp; and in the morning the dew lay around the camp. When the dew that lay had gone, behold, on the surface of the wilderness was a small round thing, small as the frost on the ground. When the children of Israel saw it, they said to one another, “What is it?” For they didn’t know what it was. Moses said to them, “It is the bread which the LORD has given you to eat. “This is the thing which the LORD has commanded: ‘Gather of it everyone according to his eating; an omer a head, according to the number of your persons, you shall take it, every man for those who are in his tent.’ ” The children of Israel did so, and some gathered more, some less. When they measured it with an omer, he who gathered much had nothing over, and he who gathered little had no lack. They each gathered according to his eating. Moses said to them, “Let no one leave of it until the morning.” Notwithstanding they didn’t listen to Moses, but some of them left of it until the morning, so it bred worms and became foul; and Moses was angry with them. They gathered it morning by morning, everyone according to his eating. When the sun grew hot, it melted. On the sixth day, they gathered twice as much bread, two omers for each one; and all the rulers of the congregation came and told Moses. He said to them, “This is that which the LORD has spoken, ‘Tomorrow is a solemn rest, a holy Sabbath to the LORD. Bake that which you want to bake, and boil that which you want to boil; and all that remains over lay up for yourselves to be kept until the morning.’ ”
Off of Jaffa street in downtown Jerusalem is a shopping district known as the Shuk. It is busiest on Fridays as people prepare for the arrival of Shabbat when almost all things shut down. One of the staples for the Friday evening meal are two loaves of challah that recall the gathering of a double-portion of manna to prepare for the Sabbath in the days of Moses.
Exodus 16:13-23
In the evening, quail came up and covered the camp; and in the morning the dew lay around the camp. When the dew that lay had gone, behold, on the surface of the wilderness was a small round thing, small as the frost on the ground. When the children of Israel saw it, they said to one another, “What is it?” For they didn’t know what it was. Moses said to them, “It is the bread which the LORD has given you to eat. “This is the thing which the LORD has commanded: ‘Gather of it everyone according to his eating; an omer a head, according to the number of your persons, you shall take it, every man for those who are in his tent.’ ” The children of Israel did so, and some gathered more, some less. When they measured it with an omer, he who gathered much had nothing over, and he who gathered little had no lack. They each gathered according to his eating. Moses said to them, “Let no one leave of it until the morning.” Notwithstanding they didn’t listen to Moses, but some of them left of it until the morning, so it bred worms and became foul; and Moses was angry with them. They gathered it morning by morning, everyone according to his eating. When the sun grew hot, it melted. On the sixth day, they gathered twice as much bread, two omers for each one; and all the rulers of the congregation came and told Moses. He said to them, “This is that which the LORD has spoken, ‘Tomorrow is a solemn rest, a holy Sabbath to the LORD. Bake that which you want to bake, and boil that which you want to boil; and all that remains over lay up for yourselves to be kept until the morning.’ ”