The Byzantine Period – Q & A

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What Does the name Byzantium / Byzantine means?

Byzantium was an ancient Greek colony that was founded by a man named Byzas on the European side of the Bosporus. It became the center of the Byzantine Empire. When Constantine decided to make it the capital of the Roman Empire he changed the name to Constantinople.

Why did Constantine start believing in the God of the Christians?

At the battle by the Milvian Bridge over the river Tiber, Constantine looks up to the light of the sun and sees a cross of light above it with the words ‘In hoc signo vinces’, in this sign, you will conquer. The next night he has a dream in which Christ explains that he should use the sign of the cross against his enemies. He used the symbol of the cross with the Greek
letters XP (first two letters of Christos in the Greek alphabet) on the armor of his soldiers and he defeated Maxentius in this battle.

What were the Changes in the Byzantine Period?

First of all, it is good to realize that the name Byzantine Empire was given to it only after
the empire fell (in the time of the Renaissance in Europe). When the Western Roman
Empire fell to Germanic conquerors in 476 AD the Eastern Empire continued on as what
historians would later refer to as the Byzantine Empire. During the Byzantine period they
actually still called it the Roman Empire and they referred to themselves as Romans. They
were mainly Greek-speaking and Christians but they still used Roman laws, had the Roman
culture.
What did change was that the Byzantine Empire shifted its capital from Rome to
Constantinople, that the official religion became Christianity and the official language
changed from Latin to Greek. The orientation was now on Greek rather than Latin culture.
In Palestine, we see that the majority of Christians are Greek Orthodox.
Constantine supported the Christian church. He gave wealth to the church, he was involved
in important religious debates and he gave preference to Christians in the government.
Two of the most important churches were built, the Nativity Church in Bethlehem and the
Holy Sepulcher church in Jerusalem.
In Palestine the administration was reorganized into three dioceses:
Palaestina Prima (Judea, Samaria, coastal area and Perea) with Caesarea as capital
Palaestina Secunda (Galilee, lower Jezreel valley, area east of Galilee, west of former
Decapolis) with Scythopolis as capital
Palaestina Salutaris (the Negev, southern Jordan, most of Sinai) with Petra as capital
The Byzantine also influenced the architecture with their Roman and Greek-inspired
Byzantine style, using the cruciform transept, mosaics, frescos and other highly decorative
elements.

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Campo de los pastores católicos Beit Sahour – Belén

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Como sabemos, la primera mención de Belén según los registros bíblicos está en la Biblia en Génesis, cuando Rachel estaba dando a luz a Benjamin, después de que ella falleció, Jacob fue a establecerse allí más allá de la Torre – Migdal Eder Tower Génesis 35:21

Torre del rebaño – Torre de vigilancia Migdal Eder

Ahora si leemos en Mich 4: 8 nos dice que, y tú, oh torre del rebaño, el monte de la hija Sión, a ti vendrá, vendrá el antiguo dominio, la soberanía de la hija Jerusalén.

Como podemos ver que Migdal Eder Tower of the Flock estaba en realidad en una colina que se llamó Bat-Zion Hija de Zion de la fuente de esta referencia bíblica, también podemos decir que la Torre de la bandada está realmente en una colina y fue llamado BAT-ZION – Hija de Sion y en ese lugar donde la torre da a los campos desde la colina y las ovejas que se han utilizado como animales de sacrificio en los rituales del Templo de Jerusalén.

Booz y Rut una de las historias de amor de la Biblia

Aproximadamente 1250-1050 BC los campos de Beit Sahour –
Belén fue la escena de amor para estas dos figuras bíblicas, la vieja y rica israelita y la viuda gentil de Moabaita, todo comenzó cuando Elimelec (significa mi Dios es el rey), y Naomi, que significa una bendición y tuvo dos hijos, Mahlon y Chilion, Mahlon en los tiempos de las mujeres fueron a las tierras de Moab en los tiempos de los jueces, por supuesto, la Biblia no se olvida de mencionar que eran efrateos de Belén de Judá.

Y en realidad es muy interesante saber que la historia teológica de Booz y Rut es controvertida con Eza y Nehemías sobre los matrimonios mixtos, pero para nosotros como cristianos y como esperanza mesiánica de que significa que el Mensaje de Dios es para todos, no es para personas específicas. Son todos sus hijos.

Elimelec era el esposo de Noemí, el esposo de Mahlon de Rut y el esposo de Chilion de Orpha

Además, la Biblia nos menciona que sucedió durante la cosecha de cebada, por lo que es muy probable que sea a mediados de abril, apenas la primera cosecha estaba lista para la cosecha en la época de la Pascua, a mediados de abril.

Elimelec tenía una herencia de tierra entre su familia, pero a menos que se pudiera encontrar un redentor familiar un Goel, Naomi se vería obligada a venderlo, pero Elimelech era un pariente y, según la Ley del Levirato, se casaría con la viuda Ruth de Mahlon para continuar con la herencia de su familia.

Booz se sintió atraído por Ruth, pero le informó que había un pariente cerrado que él, que tenía el primer derecho a ser el redentor de la Propiedad de Elimelech y que sería necesario que este pariente rechazara su derecho justo antes de que Boaz pudiera proceder. en la materia.

Booz se sintió atraído por Ruth, pero le informó que había un pariente cerrado que él, que tenía el primer derecho a ser el redentor de la Propiedad de Elimelech y que sería necesario que este pariente rechazara su derecho justo antes de que Boaz pudiera proceder. en la materia.

Booz llamó a este pariente a la Puerta de la Ciudad ante los ancianos y le contó que sobre la situación de Ruth y su derecho a Canjear el patrimonio para Casarse con Ruth, el Pariente se deleitó de que no deseaba hacerlo, y se quitó la sandalia en Símbolo que Había renunciado a los altos derechos a favor de Booz.

Booz le compró el patrimonio a Noemí y se casó con Rut, que se convirtió en los padres de Obed, quien se convirtió en el padre de Jesé, el padre del rey David.

Los pastores (los primeros evangelistas)

Los textos bíblicos conservan mucha evidencia de una larga tradición de pastoreo entre los primeros pueblos de la Biblia.

Figuras bíblicas notables (como Abel, Abraham, Lot, Labán y Moisés) cuidaban ovejas, a menudo en contraste con otras, como Caín (asesinato de Abel), el “cultivador de la tierra” (un granjero) (Gen 4: 2)

Horario de campo de los pastores católicos franciscanos 8:00 am – 16:45 pm / domingo 8: 00-11: 30/14: 00-16: 45pm

El Campo de los Pastores Católicos se encuentra al este de Belén, al sudeste de Belén para ser exactos, estos campos marcan la ubicación donde los ángeles anunciaron por primera vez el nacimiento de Jesucristo a los pastores también tradicionalmente no solo el sitio de anuncio a los pastores sino también introducido en Ruth 2: 2 donde Ruth recogió en los campos de Booz para ella y Naomi.

Otro nombre que los lugareños llaman a esta área de los campos es Siar El Ganem, que podría traducirse en dos significados: el área para caminar de la oveja o el redil, se puede llegar fácilmente tomando la primera pista a la izquierda después de Beit Sahour.

El sitio fue parcialmente excavado en 1859 por Carlo Guarmani, fue funcionario de la embajada de Francia y luego entre 1889 y 1906 los franciscanos lograron comprar la tierra y llevar a cabo investigaciones y excavaciones arqueológicas

Las ruinas al lado de la nueva capilla son del período bizantino y, como sabemos, el primer monasterio fue fundado en el sitio a fines del siglo IV AD en un sitio ocupado durante el primer siglo dC por pastores nómadas, por lo que podemos decir que este lugar estaba habitado en el tiempo de Jesucristo con seguridad.

Los restos del primer siglo están representados por la prensa de aceite, grutas, cerámica, nichos funerarios.

Los monasterios bizantinos están representados por iglesias, patios, cisternas, panaderías, salas con mosaicos y silos.

El Monasterio se amplió durante el siglo VI y se reconstruyó el ábside de la Iglesia con piedras del ábside poligonal original de la Iglesia de la Natividad.

Este sitio católico romano se menciona como Khirbet Siyar el-Ghanem como referencia arqueológica del sitio.

Este sitio fue ocupado durante el primer siglo por un pastor nómada.

Una nueva iglesia ha sido construida entre 1953 y 1954 por el famoso arquitecto italiano Antonio Barluzzi o como lo llamamos el arquitecto de Tierra Santa.

Según Jerome Murphy-O’Connor, el escritor del libro La Tierra Santa: una guía arqueológica de Oxford desde los primeros tiempos hasta 1700, dice que dado que las excavaciones no brillaron para iluminar una cueva venerada, es imposible conciliar este sitio con la descripción dada por Egeria, y también Jerome dijo que el sitio es tan simple de muchos monasterios en el desierto de Judea durante los siglos cuando el monasticismo bizantino estaba en su cenit.

La nueva iglesia de Antonio Barluzzi El arquitecto de Tierra Santa

en 1953, la famosa arquitectura Antonio Barluzzi construyó una nueva iglesia en el sitio y se dedicó a los ángeles.

La iglesia es conocida como el nuevo santuario de (Excelsis Deo), que tiene una forma dodecagonal: 12 ángeles y 12 lados con cinco simios que tienen un plano inclinado que recuerda la estructura de una tienda de campaña, aunque lo más probable es que los pastores se hubieran quedado en Cave’s no en carpas en la antigüedad en esta área, especialmente en el primer siglo, sino que era solo un diseño simbólico.

El concepto religioso del campo de los pastores

Algunos pastores entre los más despreciados del pueblo judío fueron a Adorar a Jesús, deslumbrados por una gran luz, había nacido un ángel salvador, y escucharon a una gran cantidad de ángeles alabando a Dios que al enviar al Mesías a la tierra, había demostrado su grandeza. a la corte celestial y la salvación dada a los hombres.

  • El santuario Diseñado por el arquitecto Tierra Santa que se alza sobre una roca con vistas a las ruinas.
  • Tiene una forma dodecagonal con cinco ábsides que tienen un plano inclinado, recordando la estructura de una carpa archivada como la que podrían haber usado los pastores.
  • La luz penetraba la cúpula de hormigón y vidrio que iluminaba el interior evoca la luz divina que apareció a los pastores.
  • Dentro de la Iglesia en tres partes hay tres escenarios relacionados con el anuncio de los ángeles, la adoración de los pastores y el regreso de los pastores.
    • El fresco de la escena del anuncio de los ángeles a los pastores
    • El fresco de la adoración de los pastores
    • El fresco de la escena del regreso de los pastores

Catholic Shepherds’ Field Beit Sahour – Bethlehem

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As we know the First mention of Bethlehem according to Biblical Records is in the Bible in Genesis, when Rachel was giving birth to Benjamin, after she passed away Jacob went to settle there beyound the Tower, Migdal Eder Tower Genesis 35:21

Tower of the Flock – Migdal Eder Watch Tower

Now if we Read in Mich 4:8 it tells us that, And you, O tower of the flock, the hill of daughter Zion, to you it shall come, the former dominion shall come, the sovereignty of daughter Jerusalem.

As we can see that Migdal Eder Tower of the Flock was actually on a Hill that was Called Bat-Zion Daughter of Zion from the source of this Biblical Reference we can also tell that the Tower of the Flock is actually on a Hill and it was called BAT-ZION – Daughter of Zion and at that location where the tower overlooks the fields from the Hill and the sheep that have been used as Sacrificial Animals in Rituals of the Temple of Jerusalem.

Boaz and Ruth one of the Bible Love Stories

About 1250-1050 BC the fields of Beit Sahour – Bethlehem was love scene for these two Biblical Figures, the Old Rich Israelite and the Gentile Moabaite Widow, it all Started when Elimelech ( Means My God is King ), and Naomi which means a Blessing and she had two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Mahlon at the times of Feminine they went to the lands of Moab at the times of Judges, of course, the Bible doesn’t forget to mention that they were Ephrathites of Bethlehem of Judah.

And Actually it is very interesting to know that the Theological Story of Boaz and Ruth is Controversial with Eza and Nehemiah about intermarriage but for us as Christians and as messianic hope that it means the Message of God is for Everyone it is not for specific people we are all his children.

Elimelech was the Husband of Naomi , Mahlon Husband of Ruth and Chilion Husband of Orpha.

Also the Bible mention for us that it happend during the Barley Harvest so most likely it is the Middle of April, Barely of the First crop was ready for the Harvest by the time of the Passover, in the Middle of April.

Elimelech had a inheritance of land among his family but unless a family redeemer a Goel could be found , naomi would be compelled to sell it, but Elimelech a Relative and according to Levirate Law to Marry Mahlon’s Widow Ruth in order to carry on his family’s inheritance.

Boaz was attracted to Ruth, but informed her that there was a relative closed than him, he wwho had the first right to be the redeemer of the Estate of Elimelech and that it would be required for this kinsman to reject hsi right before Boaz could proceed in the matter.

Boaz Called this relative to the Gate of the City before the elders and told him that of ruth’s situation and his right to Redeem the estate to Marry Ruth, the Relative delcared that he did not desire to do so , and removed his sandal in Symbol that he had renounced high rights in favor of Boaz.

Boaz bought the Estate from Naomi and Married ruth , ruth became the parents of Obed, who became the father of Jesse , the Father of King David.

The Shepherds (the first evangelists)

Biblical texts preserve much evidence for a longstanding tradition of shepherding among the earliest peoples of the Bible.

Notable biblical figures (such as Abel, Abraham, Lot, Laban, and Moses) tended sheep, often by way of contrast with others, such as Cain (murder of Abel), the “tiller of the ground” (a farmer) (Gen 4:2)

Franciscan Catholic Shepherds Field Opening Hours 8:00 am – 16:45pm / Sunday 8:00-11:30/14:00-16:45pm

Catholic Shepherds Field is Located to the East of Bethlehem , South East of Bethlehem to be Exact, These Fields Mark the location Where the Angels first announced the Birth of Jesus Christ to the Shepherds also traditionally not only the Site of Annunciation to the Shepherds but also introduced in Ruth 2:2 where Ruth Gleaned in the Fields of Boaz for her self and Naomi.

Another Name the Locals Call this Area of the Fields are Siar El Ganem – which could be translated into two meanings the walking area of the Sheep or the Sheepfold, it can be easily reached by taking the first track on the left after Beit Sahour.

The Site was Partly Excavated in 1859 by Carlo Guarmani he was an offical from the French Embassy then later on Between 1889 and 1906 the Franciscans succeeded in buying the land and carrying out archaeological Research and Excavations.

However the only planned systematic excavations carried out only in 1951-1952 by Father Virgilio Canio Corbo and there they found a huge monastic agriculatural establishment with presses, cisterns, silos and Grottos.

The Ruins Beside the new Chapel are from Byzantine Period and as we know the First monastery was founded at the site by the End of the 4th Century AD on a site Occupied during the First century AD by nomadic shepherds so we can say this place was inhabited in the time of Jesus Christ for Sure.

The First Century Remains are represented by Oil Press, Grottoes , Pottery, Burial Niches.

The Byzantine Monasteries are represented by Church, Courtyards, Cisterns, Bakery, Rooms with Mosaics and Silos.

The Monastery was enlarged during the 6th Century the Apse of the Church being reconstructed with stones from the original polygonal apse of the Church of the Nativity.

This roman Catholic Site is mentioned as Khirbet Siyar el-Ghanem as Archeological Reference of the Site.

This Site was occupised during the First Century by most likely a nomadic Shepherds.

A New Church has been built 1953-54 by famous Italian architect Antonio Barluzzi or as we call him the Architect of the Holy Land.

According to Jerome Murphy-O’Connor the Writer of the Book The Holy Land: An Oxford Archaeological Guide from Earliest Times to 1700, he says that since the excavations did not bright to light a venerated cave, it is impossible to reconcile this site with the description given by Egeria, and also Jerome said that the site is as simple of many monasteries in the Judean desert during the Centuries when Byzantine monasticism was at its zenith.

  • The Site Does Not Contain a Venerated Cave – Actually it Does the Cave just Next to the New Church is a Venerated Cave since the 4th Century
  • Jerome Murphy, see it as simply of many monasteries built during the Byzantine period – With all Due respect to Jerome Murphy He is not Biblical Evidence or Archeological Evidence it was just assumption
  • Its lack of special significance is shown by the fact that the site was not re-occupied after the Persian attack 614 – According to the Archeological informatin we have that this monastery actually flourished Between the 4th till the 8th Century.

Why I and many others Belive this Could be most likely the Location of the Shepherds Field?

  • This Location have Cave that have been Partly Ecnlosed to Make the New Chapel of Antonio Barluzzi
  • This Location Have been destroyed by the Time the First Crusade Came here but pilgrims continued to visit and commemorate this Site.
  • in the 4th Century a Church has been built by the Cave
  • This Location was HUGE a complex of Caves containing Tunnels, Rooms, Storage Rooms, and Most important Mikvah that trace back to the First Century at the Time of Jesus Christ.

If we compare this Location to other Places in the Area this is most likely the place of the Shepherds, would you follow Writings from 20th Century as evidence or Stone Evidence and archeological Evidence this location was indeed inhabited in the First Century by Shepherds that had Mikvah (Jewish Shepherds) most likely the probably for this site is more than others according to my understanding and research.

The New Church by Antonio Barluzzi The Holy Land Architect

in 1953 a New churh was built in the Site by the Famous Architecture Antonio Barluzzi and Dedicated to the Angels.

The church is Known as the New Shrine of (Excelsis Deo) which has a dodecagonal Shape – 12 Angels and 12 Sides with Five Apses having inclined plane that recall the structure of a field tent, even though most likely the Shepherds would have stayed in Cave’s not in Tents in Ancient times in this Area specially the First Century, but it was just Symbolic design.

The Religious Concept of the Shepherds Field

Some Shepherds amongst the most despised of the Jewish people went to Adore Jesus, Dazzled by a great light, an angel savior had been born, and they heard a host of Angels praising God who by send the Messiah to the earth, had shown his greatness to the celestial court and given salvation to men.

  • The Sanctuary Designed by Holy land Architect that stands on a rock overlooking the Ruins.
  • it Has a dodecagonal shape with five apses having an inclined plane, recalling the structure of a filed tent like the one that could have been used by the shepherds.
  • The Light Penetrated the Concrete and Glass dome illuminating the interior calls to mind the divine light that appeared to the Shepherds.
  • The Inside of the Church is divided into a nave and two aisles and five apses. in the middle part of the Dome stand 12 Angels around is the verse from Luke 2:14 that says:
    “Glory to God in Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests. “
  • Inside the Church on Three Parts are three sceneries regarding the announcement of the angels, adoration of the shepherds and return of the shepherds.
    • The Fresco of the Scene of the Announcement of the Angels to the Shepherds
    • The Fresco of the ADoration of the shepherds
    • The Fresco of the Scene of the Return of the Shepherds

Trips to Galilee from Jerusalem

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Galilee is a northern city in Israel that boasts of a lot of historical and spiritual heritage, and this is why it is considered one of the most top tourist destinations in Israel. If you are very used to the Christian faith, you probably would have heard a lot of stories about the old city of Galilee, one of the places that are usually associated with Jesus Christ. Isn’t he even called ‘the man of Galilee’?

You can find historical sites such as the Sea of Galilee, the Mount of Beatitudes, the Church of St. Peters, Basilica of Annunciation, the Synagogue, the Capernaum and many other important Biblical locations in the present city of Galilee and this is why people come in thousands annually to witness these Biblical sites.

If you are visiting Israel, one of the first places you’d likely find yourself would be, Jerusalem, especially, if you are traveling on faith grounds. This means you would need to navigate your way to the city of Galilee from Jerusalem. While this sounds great, it is not a straightforward thing, so, it is important to get some traveling advice and guide on how to navigate your way from Jerusalem to Galilee in the most seamless manner.

What to Know While Travelling to Galilee from Jerusalem

Duration of the Journey

The first thing to know is that it would take you an average of 2 to 3 hours to travel between Jerusalem and Galilee by road. The duration you would be spending depends on your transportation arrangement (i.e. choice of transportation you are going with), but it shouldn’t take more than 3 hours under normal circumstances.

Travelling Arrangement

Usually, if you are taking public the public transportation transport option, there would be buses heading to Jerusalem in the morning, afternoon and night. For a tourist, we would recommend you go for the morning ride, and we even recommend you join a bus leaving as early as 7:30 am as it would afford you the chance to get there early and take some rest before going out to enjoy the city, and it might also be what would save you from spending long hours in traffic.

If You Can, Rent a Personal Car

While moving from Jerusalem to Galilee, you are going to be passing through a number of historical cities and sites that may be of interest. If you join the public transport, you may lose out on a lot of fun details. However, with a personal car, you would be able to make some stops at various places that you find interesting and probably take some selfies and look around for some moments before leaving.

Employ a Local Travel Guide if You Can

If you can afford it, it would be great to employ the services of a local travel guide. With the travel guide, you would be able to enjoy Galilee more, and you’d even stand a chance of getting to visit more fun places than you have planned for.

A trip to Galilee would always be a fun experience, and we can assure you that you stand a better chance of getting more fun by using this little guide of ours.

Tour Guide on Traveling to Hebron from Jerusalem

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Tour Guide on Traveling to Hebron from Jerusalem

Hebron is one of the most significant cities in the Abrahamic religions, which include, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. This city is where the remains of Abraham (Ibrahim), Isaac and Jacob are buried, and this is why it is a top destination for a lot of pilgrims annually.

This city is located in today Palestine, and it is dominated by both Palestine and Jews. Since Jerusalem is a top destination for a lot of pilgrims, it is not a surprise that a large number of people tend to travel from Jerusalem to Hebron from time to time. If you are a pilgrim or tourist in Jerusalem that would love to visit the city of Hebron for any reason, we have come up with a useful travel guide for you that should help in making things a lot easier for you.

How Far is Hebron from Jerusalem?

The city of Hebron is not that far from Jerusalem. As a matter of fact, there are only 29 kilometers between the two cities, and you can easily travel between the two cities by road. The estimated travel time between Jerusalem and Hebron by road is 35 minutes by road.

Traveling Arrangement?

If you want to visit Hebron from Jerusalem, there are two ways you can go about it, i.e. you can join a public transport system, or you can hire a private car to take you there. If you are going by public transportation, you would have to visit the bus station and book your ticket. After booking your ticket, you would join a bus along with other commuters who are headed towards that direction. If you can afford it, you can book a private car to convey you to Hebron from Jerusalem. It might be more expensive, but a private car would offer you some advantages which would enable you to enjoy the tour more.

Best Places to Visit in Hebron

Hebron is home to a lot of iconic sites, and this is the main reason why thousands of pilgrims come to this city annually. Once you are in this ancient city, these are some of the best places you must visit.

  1. Tomb of the Patriarchs: The Tomb of the Patriarchs is arguably one of the most significant and iconic sites in the Abrahamic religion, and it happens to be in Hebron. This site is where the tombs of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are located. It is regarded as a national treasure in Hebron, and it attracts thousands of pilgrims annually.
  2. Abu Salah: The Abu Salah is perhaps the most popular restaurant in Hebron, and it is a choice destination for a lot of pilgrims. At this restaurant, you would have access to a lot of juicy and delicious Palestine meals. This shawarma served here is also legendary for its amazing taste.
  3. Tel Rumeida: The Tel Rumeida is one of the most ancient parts of Hebron. It is widely regarded as the original part of Hebron that was mentioned in the Holy Bible. It boasts of fertile lands and green vegetation which makes it a great choice for Agriculture. It is peaceful and hospitable which makes it a great choice for pilgrims.

As pilgrims and tourists, you must remember that Hebron has both Jewish and Palestinian influence which could make it volatile sometimes. This is why you need to focus on why you are in the city and stay out of any religious or cultural topics. Have a great time touring the city.

Qumran Tour from Jerusalem

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Qumran Tour from Jerusalem

Qumran is an amazing site and one of the best places to visit at any time of the year. There are a lot of experiences to make out from a Qumran tour from Jerusalem ranging from people to places. The wintertime is always very cold, and as such, you have to come with your cardigans. If you are visiting Qumran in the summer, the morning times are the best because the heat gets much at noon. There are several interesting places that can be visited during your Qumran tour from Jerusalem.

What to Bring When Coming To Qumran

Qumran is a Dead Sea region so tourists should be careful when making arrangements to visit. There are certain essentials you must come with and some of them include:

Appropriate Dressing: The weather of Qumran moves from not being so hot in the early hours of a summer day to being extremely hot in the afternoon. In order to make the most of your tour experience, please come along with the right dresses. Appropriate dress here could include a hat and sunscreen to shield you from the sun and comfortable shoes to make movement easy.

Plenty of Water: Qumran tour from Jerusalem will require a lot of water considering that you are moving from a place with less heat to one with excessive heat. You would need to have a lot of water to help you stay hydrated all through your stay in Qumran, especially in the afternoon.

Extra Cash: To access some places in Qumran, you might need to pay some fees like for example, Qumran Park. The admission fee into the park is about $6. With the extra cash, there would be little or no limitation to the places you can go, and the experience you can gather when on a Qumran tour from Jerusalem.

Places To Be Visited On a Qumran Tour from Jerusalem

There are several places that can be visited in Qumran, some of which will cost some fee if it is not an organized tour. If the tour is an organized one, these places and their fee has been included in your total tour price. Some of the places that can be visited in Qumran include:

  • ●      The Qumran National Park: The Park at Qumran, has for a long time been a center of attraction to many tourists. This park is known for its famous caves because history has it that it is where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered by a teenage shepherd.
  • The Masada: The Masada is known as the site of a famous battle with a panoramic view. This place tells tourists a lot about the Qumran site and Israel as a whole. Your touring experience is not complete if you have not visited this place.

While the Qumran tour from Jerusalem is possible on your own, it is always best to put together an organized bus tours. With this, you don’t have to get all carried away by the planning and trying to move around that you miss out on the nice views and experiences. If you really want to go on your own, then it is best that you get a car.

Palestine Tour from Jerusalem

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Palestine Tour from Jerusalem

Israeli-Palestinian relationships are very complicated, to say the least. Both countries have been embroiled in a struggle for territory since the mid-20th century and a compromise has been difficult to reach. At the moment, if you wish to enter or exit any of the territories, you will have to pass through heavily controlled Israeli military checkpoints.

Both countries remain popular sites for pilgrimages and cultural tourism because they hold significance for three of the world’s major religions – Judaism, Islam, and Christianity.

Planning a tour of Palestine? This article can help you gain some valuable insights. 

Is it safe?

When you hear about Palestine in the news, it is usually a story about conflict. It is easy to think that it is a very violent and unsafe place but that is simply not true. According to International SOS, Palestine has a medium safety profile (check it out here https://www.internationalsos.com/risk-outlook). The people are very warm and friendly and street crime is very low compared to most major cities around the world.

Getting In- Modes of Transportation

Although there is a short distance between Jerusalem and Palestinian (approximately 18.76 km), getting across is not so simple. Nevertheless, there are various options available to fit different budgets and travel styles.

  • Guided Tours

There are many guaranteed tours departing every day. This is easily the most convenient and popular way to travel to Palestine. Asides being convenient, they are also cost-effective and have the added advantage of being guided which allows you to relax and benefit from the value of a local guide already familiar with all the major sites.

  • Tourist Shuttles 

Perfect if you want to make a quick visit or spend the night. Tourist shuttles are available every afternoon from 15:30 in Jerusalem and they leave Palestine around 17:30.

  • Private Vehicles

Despite the short distance between Jerusalem and Palestine, it is not possible to take a taxi. This is because Israelis are not permitted to enter. You can go around this by arranging a private car to pick you up from your address in Jerusalem and escort you into Palestine.

  • Public Bus Service

There are two possible ways to get from Jerusalem to Palestine via bus. The first is the public bus service from Jerusalem to Bethlehem and the other is the public line from East Jerusalem Bus Station which is run by the Palestinian Bus Company. Although there is no available schedule, service is frequent and the cost is cheap.

Where Should I Visit In Palestine

Palestine is often in the news for the wrong reasons but it is a truly welcoming place. Below are some places you can visit should you ever find yourself there.

  • Ramallah

Ramallah is a short distance from the bus station in East Jerusalem. It is considered to be one of the safest and most liberal Arabic cities in the world. The locals are friendly and well educated in the English language. There are a number of cultural and political tours and plenty of authentic Palestinian restaurants where you can try some local dishes. 

  • Bethlehem

Popularly regarded as the birthplace of Jesus Christ, Bethlehem is home to a number of religious sites including the Church of the Nativity as well as Manger Square which is said to be the place where Jesus was born.

  • The Dead Sea

The Dead Sea is the lowest point on earth and it is the second saltiest body of water in the world. It is popular with tourists who come to take photos and relax along the edge. The surrounding mud is said to have healing and therapeutic powers and you can test this out by covering yourself in the mud.

  • Masada

Located on a mountain top in the Judean desert with breath-taking views over the region.  Masada is an ancient fortress known for being the place where the Jewish uprising against the Roman Empire began.

Nablus Tour

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All you need to know about the city of Nablus

Nablus is one of the largest cities in Palestine. It is very close to Jerusalem and it is located at approximately 60 KM north of Jerusalem, it is in the middle of Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal. It is popularly called the ‘Uncrowned Queen of Palestine”. Nablus is a Muslim city and it has few Samaritans, few Christians, and Jews. It consists of two churches, a synagogue for Samaritans and twelve mosques. 

Nablus is the industrial and commercial hub of Palestine. It is famous for its usually busy markets, traditionally made soap from olive oil, and its unique sweets. The indigenes of Nablus are friendly and accommodating, they love seeing tourists visiting and exploring their lovely city.

Common tourist sites in Nablus include; Mount Gerizim, Jacob’s well, The Samaritan village, Olive oil factory, the refugee camps, Nablus park, and the Spices shop.

Its main attractions include the Old City of Nablus and Jacob’s well. The Old City of Nablus is where the rich history lies. It comprises amazing architectural buildings, stone façade, old urban spaces, narrow streets, etc.

Touring Nablus from Jerusalem

Nablus is a beautiful city with so many attractions and touring around the city is a very good idea. Nablus is close to Jerusalem and you might likely pass through Jerusalem when touring the city.

There is the Central West Bank’s large swath, settlements of the Jews, Ancient olive trees, and so many villages in Palestine. 

Coming to Nablus from Jerusalem, lies Samaria, the central region of Old Palestine, there lies Mount Gerizim, there, you will find a small Samaritan village with indigenes who can be traced by to Moses in the bible.

The Samaritans who originated from the Hebrew tribe, regard this mountain as a Holy temple making it a sacred place to the Samaritans. The Samaritans are hospitable people. 

You will come across the popular Jacob’s well, a place Jesus had asked the Samaritan woman for a drink of water (A popular Bible Story) in the beautiful church. The well has been used as a baptismal place for Christians over time.

Then, there is a camp in the street where ladies host summer camps, children activities, make wonderful embroidery and conduct empowerment seminars and programs for women, it is a camp called the “Women’s Centre of Balata Refugee”. It also has a refugee camp that hosts many families who were exiled from Israel dating back to 1948 and 1967.

The refugees live there permanently because the camp is home to them. Moving forward, there is also an ancient museum that houses old artifacts from the Old City of Nablus.

Food is an important part of every culture; Nablus has so many mouth-watering dishes. Kanafeh is a popular dish in Nablus; it is a local dessert dish that is made with pastries from cheese doused in very sweet syrup. And you must try it out when in Nablus. 

At the outskirt of Nablus lies Joseph’s Tomb in the ancient holy site. And the popular House of Palestine. Nablus is a very attractive city to go on a tour, its ancient city and rich heritage make the visit more exciting. 

Proverbs

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So what is Proverbs All About?

The overarching theme f the book is, how to live in God’s World, The Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the holy one is understanding, Prov:10, Fear the Lord and shun evil Prov 3:7

Many things happen near the Gates, where the elderly wise sit near the gate, waiting for someone to ask them for advice, usually Cities have a negative image in the world today, when we talk about big cities, when we talk about las vegas, when cities evolved, when urbanization evolved cities started to sin more and more.

Fear of the World is the begging of wisdom as they say, as it is said in Prov 3:7, Fear of the Lord doesn’t mean terror but it means out of sincere respect, love, and obedience to God, It consolidates ancient Israel’s Experience-based convictions and offers believers of every generation practical advice on holy living.

Real Life Experiences connects with Proverbs and Authorship of Proverbs

It is Collection of catchy, memorable and timeless truth or basic values proven by previous generations, remember that Solomon asked God for wisdom instead of power and wealth, he was known to be the wisest men of the ancient world, there is no clear evidence that the book we have today is the same that Solomon author, it seems like it was collected version and for sure we have the later version of it.

Some evidence we have Solomon was the author of the book but NOT all of the book, The Scribes of King Hezekiah of Judah collected some of Solomon’s proverbs Prov 25:1, some scholars date the composition to the first millennium, with no specific dating.

The Contents of the Proverbs

remember the job was pessimistic about life, but unlike a job, it is usually optimistic about life, unlike job which grapples with the difficult issues of life and is usually pessimistic.

Wisdom is much more than intellectual information or head knowledge the instruction that we found in this book is based on the reverence and worship of Yahweh.

The Sayings of the Wise, it offers thirsty Sayings which have to add much common with the Egyptian document known as the instruction of amenemope 1200 BC.

The Fifth part is saying off and about two kings, agur son of jakeh and Lemuel, most probably they were Arabs or Arabian descents, the with part brings back the image of a wise woman/wife it is writing in an acrostic poetry style.

Bethlehem to Jericho From Tel Aviv – The Complete Guide

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If you are into the region and have been looking for ways to rejuvenate your biblical soul, there are multiple tours to take you to such sites. For instance, there are tours that will take you on the religious journey to Bethlehem and Jericho. These tours usually start from Tel Aviv as the pickup point is this. When you go to Bethlehem, you will be able to see the birthplace of Christ while Jericho is named as the oldest city of the world, hence the historical aspects!

These tours aren’t extended on days as the whole trip takes usually 10 to 12 hours. Most of these tours come with the tour guide who knows English to ensure everyone is able to comprehend the information he is providing about the places you visit on the tour. If we talk about the pickup points, they are usually done from Tel Aviv but some tour operators offer from the hotel as well. In case that you need to be picked from somewhere else, you will need to talk to the tour operator.

Bethlehem and Jericho and more

On this tour, you will be taken to the cities of Jericho and Bethlehem. In Jericho, you will mesmerize the beauty of the Church of the Nativity while you think about the birthplace of Christ. Moreover, you will also be able to sightsee the Catholic Church of St. Catherine and the Church of Shepherd’s Field. Moreover, by the end of the tour, it will be evening and you can enjoy the beauty of moonscape at the Judean Desert.

Along with the Judean desert, you will find the Inn of the Good Samaritan along with the moonscape that will take you to Jericho. If you have a knack for history, you will be able to see the oldest tree, Sycamore situated in Zacheus Sycamore. It is said that Zacheus climbed on this tree to spot Jesus and you can also go to the Mound of Ancient Jericho which is home to 25 ancient cities put together.

Jericho Oldest City in the World

Jericho is named as the oldest Jewish city which was first introduced in 8,000 BC but by the 1,200 BC, the settlement was overrun by Joshua and Israel. You can also enjoy the oasis of Jericho and to cool yourself down, Elisha’s Spring is there as well. Once you are done with these points in Jericho, you will be able to hone your journey to the city of Bethlehem.

The great King David was born in Bethlehem which is also known as the city of bread. This name is given to the city because wheat crops are grown in this region. As Jesus was born here, it’s the top biblical sites of the world.  These tours usually cover the entry fees, tour guide, pick-up and drop-off, along with transport. However, there is no food and you will need to manage it on your own. However, it is not advised to take the handicapped person or kids below four years of age.