After waking up for our last time at Kfar Giladi on a spectacular morning, the group loaded the bus and headed towards the Mount of the Beatitudes. The Mount of the Beatitudes is located on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee, rising above the ruins of Tabgha and Capernaum, on which according to tradition Christ preached the Sermon on the Mount. The mountain is topped by a Catholic chapel built in 1939 by the Franciscan Sisters with the support of the Italian ruler Mussolini.Next we traveled right down the road from the Mount of the Beatitudes to Tabgha, Tabgha is the traditional site of the Multiplication of the Loaves and the Fishes and is situated near the northeastern shore of Sea of Galilee, near Capernaum and north of Tiberias. The name Tabgha is an Arabic contraction of the Greek Heptapegon, the place of seven springs.
A hop, skip and jump away from Tabgha, we found ourselves walking around the biblical city of Capernaum. Tabgha is located at the north corner of the Sea of Galilee, on the side of the ancient road from Tiberias to the east of the Sea of Galilee. Capernaum was the center of Jesus activities in the Galilee and his town during that time. Jesus taught in the local synagogue. It was also the home town of the apostles Peter, James, Andrew and John, and the tax collector Matthew.
Then we stopped by the ancient city of Bethsaida. Et-Tel, the mound identified as ancient Bethsaida, is located on the north shore of the Sea of Galilee, near the inflow of the Jordan River into the Sea of Galilee. Bethsaida is known as the birthplace of three of the Apostles Peter, Andrew and Philip. Jesus himself visited Bethsaida and performed several miracles there.
Our next adventure led us to the ancient synagogue of Beit Alfa. Beit Alfa, boasts the remains of one of the most beautiful synagogue mosaic floors in Israel, dating from the early sixth century CE. Located on Kibbutz Heftziba in the eastern Jezreel Valley, the colorful designs of the floor reveal ancient Jewish tradition and its links with the wider culture of its day.
After a quick stop at the Jordan River, we headed towards Jerusalem and our home for more than a week. We entered Jerusalem on a beautiful evening, the day was unbelievable! We are now at the King Solomon and the luxuries that come along with this establishment. It will be nice to be in one spot for more than one evening! The day has been long and we have seen a lot. Now it is time for my eyes to only see the inside of my eyelids. Till tomorrow…
Shalom- IAN
Hi Ian,
ReplyDeleteGreat blog, and, as always, great photos! It's fun to read about your days and to re-live our trip through this one. I hope you are all well and having a wonderful time. Wish I were there with you! Have a falaffel or two for me! Keep taking those amazing photos!
Judy
Ian thanks so much for the great tour notes!!! The pictures sre great too! Love to all! Andrea
ReplyDeleteI can't believe you're in Jerusalem already. Sorry for letting time slip by. My heart longs to be there again touring. Thanks, Ian, for the blog and letting me relive the incredible experience. I see you've found more beautiful flowers. Is Akko(?) a new stop? I remember driving by but not touring it. I'm expecting to see a photo of you and others floating in the Dead Sea. I know it's warm enough. Did Mike fall asleep again? Tell him and everyone hello. It's a blessing to be there and all will come back reading the Bible knowing the geography like it was Franklin County. Have some pomegrante juice and sesame seed treats for me. Shalom!
ReplyDeleteWhat an inspiring experience! Donna - Heading to Boston for the weekend so won't be checkin in on the blog but will have you in my thoughts and prayers. Love you much!
ReplyDeleteCarole and Larry (Nini & Pappy),
ReplyDeleteIt looks amazing over there and quite a history lesson. We think of you guys often and the kids ask about you daily and miss you very much. Everything is going fine here at the shop. Enjoy yourselves. Great blog Ian! Love, Bill & Gretchen