Jerusalem 2010 - נעלי אליק - Elik's Shoes , (is no more)

Einot Tzukim (Ein Feshkha) Nature Reserve - On The Dead Sea - "עינות צוקים "עין פשחה

Einot Tzukim Nature Reserve, also known as Ein Feshkha  in Arabic, is an oasis along the eastern border of the Judean desert. This nature reserve lies at the lowest point on earth.

The oasis is fed by 150 different underground water springs of varying temperatures and varying degrees of saltiness.

עינות צוקים שמורת טבע, הידוע גם בשם "עין פשחה" בערבית, היא נווה מדבר לאורך הגבול המזרחי של מדבר יהודה. זו שמורת טבע הנמוך בעולם. אואזיס היא ניזונה מ- 150 המחתרת שונים בטמפרטורות בדרגות שונות של מליחות.

Jerusalem - Views from Armon Hanatziv - 2010 - ירושלים - צפיות מארמון הנציב - 2010

Abu Tur in foreground,  The white dome in the center is The Hurva
"אבו טור בקידמה, הכיפה הלבנה במרכז היא "החורבה

The Temple Mount


Silwan

To the left on the horizon is the Mount Scopus University tower

The Mount of Olives (the most ancient cemetery, still in use today),  in the centre 

The steeple on the right is Augasta Victoria. 

Silwan in the foreground.

Jerusalem - Western Wall - Monday, Bar Mitzvah at the Kottel

Gabriel and Howard

Jerusalem - Machane Yehudah Market - Dec 2010

Stop over for prayers and a shiur 

Tel Lachish - Novemeber 2010 - תל לכיש

Tel Lachish 

Evidence of the earliest habitation dates back to 4th BCE. Mention of Lachish as a fortified city, was first made in the Bible. (Josh10:3).  

Captured by Joshuah and included in the Judah tribal allotments. 

Fortified by Rehoboam against the Egyptian threat and later taken by Sennacherib, King of Assyria, 701 BCE. 

Lachish was restored and fortified during the First Temple period. Again destroyed by Nebuchadnezzer, King of Babylon   - 598 BCE. 

Although resettled after the Babylonian Exile, Lachish never regained its former glory. 

The Lachish letters (end of the First Temple period), were amongst the most important finds at Lachish - 21 ostraca inscribed with ink in paleo-Hebraic letters, these dealing with administrative and daily affairs.  

Working the fields of Moshav Lachish The moshav  was first established as a Nahal outpost in 1955.

Ever wondered what a pomegranate orchard looks like?

Hannukah - 2010 -4th Candle

Hannukah - 2010 - Chag Samech

Jerusalem - The Hurva Synagogue, Reborn - 2010 - בית הכנסת רבי יהודה חסיד – החורבה

The view of the dome of the rebuilt Hurva Synagogue stands as further testimony to the return of the Jewish People to Jerusalem . 

The synagogue was reopened Erev Rosh Hodesh Nissan – March 15 this year. 

Initially the  Hurva was built by disciples of Rabbi Judah Hahasid in the early 18th century. Shortly after the initial construction of the Hurva, it was torn down by Muslims who demanded the returns of loans.  

Rebuilt in the mid 19^th Century it marked the primary place of worship in Israel. 

During the war of independence in 1948 the Jordanian legion blew the synagogue up.

Under Construction

Views from the Hurva

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Below the Hurva lies a Mikva (Ritual Bath) and above that a Byzantine road ..

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Link into more information on The Hurva: http://www.rova-yehudi.org.il/en/atar-hurva.asp

: http://www.rova-yehudi.org.il/atar-hurva.asp