So Much More to Learn

  How many ways can I write “amazing?”  Every day in Israel brought something so incredible, it was like starting over!  So that said, I will begin with the  Herzl museum which was both different and remarkable.  This sounds a bit complicated, but it was done as a play but during a movie production with the main actor in the play learning about the man, Theodor Herzl.  

Herzl was born a Jew and later led the Zionist movement following his dream of bringing the Jews back to Israel after witnessing the cruel anti-Semitic atmosphere of the area. He outlined his vision in a book called  “Der Judenstaat,”  published February 1896, which brought mixed reactions.  On one hand there was violent opposition by the “enlightened elite” while the Jewish masses considered him a modern Moses. The play production showed how his passion drove him on despite the setbacks along the way.  

  After watching the production, however, I was concerned that God was never mentioned.  Pastor Dennis explained that secularism during this time is also Biblical.  According to Ezekiel 37, Israel would begin as a secular state and with time, hearts would turn to the Messiah.  

Personal's from Herzl

Part of the play production

 

A view of the city of Jerusalem 66 BC

Our next visit took us to Israel's largest cultural arena:  Israel’s National museum.  It was fascinating!  It has five sections.  The first is a huge model of what Jerusalem looked like in 66 BC.  This helps put the city in perspective and I loved it!  There is an area called “The Shrine of the Book” which is dedicated to the Dead Sea Scrolls; a history section, an archeological wing and an art section.  This museum was fabulous, another place I could have spent hours, perhaps even days!

Another view of the city

City walls

A large city!

Solomon's colonnade

Gate to enter the city

Lots of folks in the open market

The afternoon hours were spent in Jerusalem.  This was a Friday, significant because it meant stores closed at four pm for Shabbat.  The open air market, was full of people getting ready for the evening meal while vendors tried to sell the rest of whatever food stuffs they had before closing time which included shouting and calling to customers prices and the invitations to “come see" their

vegetables, sweets, halva, pastries, breads for Shabbat, nuts, drinks, fish and other  meats, soup and more!  

Spices and more!

Breads and pastries

A nice variety of fruit

Colorful veggies!

 

Once finished in the open market there was time to stroll to the other side of town for other, more traditional shopping. It was fantastic!  What a way to experience downtown Jerusalem! 

Shopping!

....More shopping

Fantastic ice cream here!

For years I have read the Bible, yet had so little understanding of God’s chosen people.  I’m not sure I put them in anywhere near the proper perspective!  I still have much to learn. The Herzl museum production helped me gain some understanding along with the Israel National museum. But what I found most fascinating was the open market as people prepared for the traditional meals and weekly celebration in their home. 

The Jewish culture is considerably different than our own, and quite fascinating.  The culture requires preparation for Shabbat, the weekly day of complete rest allowing for spiritual renewal with the Father and quality time with family. The Pastor spoke this week on the original Jewish custom of how couples were united in marriage; quite different than how we do it now, from the modern engagement which can be broken with the return of the ring, verses the betrothal, a legal, binding contract; to the father of the bride being the one who decides when the ceremony would be, rather than the bride and groom setting a date.  He explained the Jewish marriage tradition parallels the Marriage feast of the church….and it is the Father who will determine the date of Jesus Christ’s return.  Are you ready?    

We observe Sunday as our Sabbath, a time for worship and family time.  But I wonder, do we really take the time for reflection on the spiritual when we are outside the church doors?  It also makes me wonder how much more I have to learn, Biblically, about what the Father has already set forth in His Word, regarding every day decisions and behaviors in my life.  I repeat, I still have much to learn!