Day 01 - The Contradiction of Old and New

Today, marks the 75th Anniversary of Israel as a free state. Such a young country in comparison to so many other countries, yet a land full of so much history. As we journeyed away from Petah Tiqwa bright and early this morning, you could not help but notice the contrast between old and new in this land. Fields of wheat, orange, lemon and olive trees with cranes off in the distance. There has been a building boom here since COVID, yet agriculture and ancient ruins are everywhere.

One of our first stops was Migdal Tsedek Fortress. This once limestone quarry turned dumping ground is now a beautiful National Park. As new people came to the area, they would recycle the old cut stones (sometimes even from tombs) and use them to build their new homes, the Byzantines and Crusaders just to name two. All of the buildings in this area are made of the recognizable white limestone.

Our next stop was Beit Shemesh (House of the Sun). This is the valley that Samson traveled down many times, including the time he killed the lion and later when he tied the tails of 300 foxes together. This was also where the Israelites watched as the Ark of the Covenant was returned by a cow-pulled cart. Again the old and new came together, as we were listening to the stories of Samson and his strength, we were treated to the rare occasion of Israel jets flying overhead. Several sets of F-15, F-16, the new F- 35s, tankers, and helicopters flew in formation throughout the country to celebrate their independence. Our guide, Dan, said this is the first time this has ever happened during a tour.

After the excitement of the flyovers, we headed to Tel Azekah and then to the valley where David and Goliath had their infamous battle. The valley is now a field of wheat. As the Snake Eagles flew around us, again, jets flew overhead, while we read the verses in the Bible of David’s heroism and victory. As we searched the creek beds for that “special rock” to take home, you couldn’t help but wonder if David walked that same path in search of his “special rocks.”

Beit Guvrin-Maresha National Park was next on the agenda. After eating a wonderful meal of chicken and pitas, we were off to explore one of the thousands of underground caves they have found in this National Park. These caves carved into the chalk of the limestone, were once used for burial chambers, cisterns, places to hold olive presses, and much more. The houses that were once built on top them have long ago been destroyed, but the caves remain. We were lucky enough to venture into one of the larger caves that was once a burial chamber for a family. The patriarch of the family would have been in the chamber at the end and each family member would have been buried in one of the side chambers. There are several animals painted along the walls, and the 3-headed dog that guards Hades greets you as you enter the chamber. Like we have seen so many times, when new people came into the area, they took over the old and made it new. One family used this particular burial chamber as a livestock pen to hold their goats. It has now been restored to what you see now.

Our final stop for the day was the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth. It is referred to as the Salt Sea in the Hebrew Bible and The Sea of the Plain in the book of Joshua. It has long been associated with mysticism, wonderment, and religious significance. The minerals in the water are said to have healing properties. Floating in the water devoid of life was truly an experience you cannot explain.

Looking out the window tonight and seeing the lights of Jordan across the water and listening to Hebrew music in the distance reminds me that we are in a new land. A new and foreign land we have never experienced before, yet a land full of deep-rooted culture and customs. A perfect blend of old and new.