Friday, July 12, 2013

Woe to you, Bethsaida ...*

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I leaned over to take the "street" sign at eye level and out popped a reflection!
For  James' Weekend Reflections, of course.


Here is another shiny sign, this one reflecting rocks and August (2012) dryness.


The site is Bethsaida, of New Testament fame, located on the northern tip of the Sea of Galileee.
You can enlarge the photo twice and read about its history. 


Look, they even found the city gate at the end of the street!

I worked two seasons digging there in the early 90s.
Even my then-teenage daughter took part in one  of those expeditions.
We volunteers slept in straw huts ("bungalows") in nearby Katzrin, together with bugs and scorpions.  (Ugh, better to forget that part.)

I had not been back up to Bethsaida since then, and I was so impressed at the archaeological progress (on-going) and the unique signage and visitor paths.


I remember having to swing a pickaxe  to break up the concrete floor of a Syrian bunker so we could dig down to lower strata.
In the photo above I see that long-time director Dr. Rami Arav chose to leave one bunker in situ.
Syrian troops were up there on the Golan Heights, shooting down on Israel, until the 1967 Six Day War.


Not much shade at the site, but this tree offered some, complete with a bench.
The sign says "To a shaded meditation place."

Meditate on all what Bethsaida has seen over the millennia . . .
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* My post title comes from Matthew 11:21 .
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17 comments:

  1. I like the reflection and the sense of history.

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  2. The reflection is really unusual! ANd what an interesting place, and moving too..

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  3. A shaded meditation place... with bugs and scorpions around? You were too brave!

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  4. What a great sharing... Thank you so much for this little piece of home.

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  5. I love when a reflection pops up!

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  6. It surely does capture the imagination while thinking about the people who walked along those streets and through that city gate . . . and all that history . . . all those stories.

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  7. I have always wanted to be a part of an archaeological dig. Maybe someday.
    An Arkies Musings

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  8. I've never heard of Bethsaida. We keep learning new things from you all the time, Dina.

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  9. Great pics and very interesting Dina!
    Archaeology always is.

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  10. It's always important to 'reflect' on where are feet have touched. Good for the soul.

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  11. Reflections can appear where we least expect them a bit like visions I suppose.

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  12. Very interesting, Dina! There are so many things I had to see when I was in
    Israel. I fear I shall not be able to walk for more than an hour. Wednesday last, I was in Rotterdam, which was great , but I was so tired at the end of the day. Anyway it was worth while to see the S.S Rotterdam .
    Shabbat. shalom

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  13. Historical and great place/post. Nice reflection too

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  14. It's so interesting to see photos of places mentioned in the bible. Somehow I always expect them to be more dramatic looking :)

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  15. Thanks Dina for making the Bible come to life once again.

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  16. Woe to a lot of places, if the citizens won't repent *nod*.

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