Another Busy Week in Israel

Shalom Chaverim!
As usual it has been another crazy week! We left Monday for a two day tiyul starting in the Old City and then traveling down to the Judean Desert. Because we have been studying the 2nd Temple Period(516BCE-70 CE), we started the day by having Shacharit service at Robinson's Arch where all Jews can pray together with no barrier between sexes. It was really neat because many other groups were having their Torah service and Bar/Bat Mitzvah's. Then we split up into our ICC classes and learned about the period and events leading up to the fall of the temple.

After several hours we went down to the Ein Geidi springs and stayed at the Ein Geidi Youth Hostel. The whole time we were there IDF jets kept passing by (we were very close to Jordan). It only takes 16 minutes to fly across Israel. After a delicious dinner we "tried" to go to bed early because we woke up at 4:30 A.M. to climb Massada!! Unlike most groups, we went up the Runner's Path and came down the Snake Path. It was a bit rough at first, but once the sun started to rise and after having a good breakfast, I was in heaven. Even though I have been to Massada a couple times, including becoming Bat Mitzvah there, I got much more out of this hike because I actually understood which zealots were living on Massada in 73 CE. After more learning, we took the Snake Path down and went down towards Dead Sea for another delicious meal before going into the Sea of Salt. This was my first time actually going into the Sea. I can't say it was super fun, but I am glad I went in. Before we left we covered ourselves in mud. It was such a mess but I think it made my skin a little softer at least for the day.

Once we got back to Jerusalem, everyone was exhausted and very dirty. I had the best shower ever. Wednesday was a stressful school day. But, on Thursday we had a full day tiyul. This tiyul was focused on the Bar Kokhba revolt (132-136 CE), which was the third and last of the Jewish-Roman Wars. The revolt established an independent state of Israel over parts of Judea for over two years, but a Roman army of twelve legions with auxiliaries finally crushed it. We first crawled through caves where the Jews hid, and then went to Bet Guvrin where the Romans built an amphitheater. I would like to learn more about this area in the future. The last stop of the day was an archealogical dig at Maresha. While it was nice and interesting, it was basically a repeat of our trip there several years ago.

This Shabbat we stayed on the Chava (Shabbat Yachad). Friday evening we had Kabbalat Shabbat in the Old City and then went down to the Kotel to pray Ma'ariv individually. I love being at the Kotel on Shabbat. It is such a different atmosphere than during the week. We then walked back to the Chava (hour walk) and had Shabbat dinner followed by oneg and singing. Saturday morning I went to Shira Chadasha, a modern Orthodox Shul on Emek Refaim then had Shabbat lunch on the Chava. I went for a long walk outside the Chava with a friend and a boy who is from America who lives in Israel now. It was a beautiful day and so many people were out walking and playing in the park. Shabbat in Jerusalem is SOOOO different than home. I can't even describe how amazing it feels. Later we had a picnic at the park followed by Havdallah. Food was the highligh of my weekend. I decided to enjoy the Shabbos and eat way more than any human being should ever consume. So of course, right now I feel like crap and can't really think straight.

With that I think I will study some ICC notes for a major test this week on everything from Abraham to 73 C.E. A lot happened between this period! Hope everyone has a nice week. Love and miss you all!

Lyla Tov,
Hannah