Off-beaten – Wonder Israel https://wonderisrael.com It's Time to Go Sun, 28 Mar 2021 03:14:40 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.1.19 https://wonderisrael.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/cropped-Wonder-Israel-150x150.png Off-beaten – Wonder Israel https://wonderisrael.com 32 32 Magdala: Ancient Synagogue from Jesus’ Time https://wonderisrael.com/magdala-ancient-synagogue/ Fri, 24 Aug 2018 16:11:22 +0000 http://wonderisrael.com/?p=9767 : 8AM-6PM

: Opens Everyday

: ₪15 (Student/Senior ₪10, Under 12 Free)

: 1.5 hours

:

Jesus, or his Hebrew name, Yeshua, taught in the synagogues around Galilee. He drove out seven demons from Mary Magdalene, whom joined Jesus’ ministry along with other women. Magdala, the hometown of Mary Magdalene, is no longer just a familiar name in the Bible, It EXISTS!

In 2011, this 1st century Jewish village was found on the side of the Sea of ​​Galilee, just 30 centimeters underneath the earth! A synagogue from Yeshua’ time, market place, mikvahs, houses, fishing areas etc. An unique article with a menorah engraved on a piece of stone placed in the center of the synagogue was found, called ‘Magdala Stone’.

Because of the archaeological discoveries of Magdala synagogue and village, it not only proves the connection of Jewish people to this land, it also proves the authenticity of Yeshua’s life events.

Magdala comes very high on my ‘must-see’ list. This is a 1st century synagogue! It’s like going through a time machine, and you are suddenly in a 1st century Jewish village! This is the place where the Bible comes in 4D! Don’t miss out this place!

 

 

The Magdalene Archaeological Park was discovered in a miraculous manner in 2009. The priest was going to build a Christian conference center by the Galilee. He bought a property which was a resort struggling with business. Before this no one knew where Magdala was! According to Israeli law, there is a certain procedure to go through to make sure building a new foundation will not hurt any remained archaeological items. It’s just a procedure, but voila! A synagogue was found! Who would have thought THIS was the exact place? And what surprised many was Magdala Stone, which was found in the synagogue. It’s very likely to be made by a person who had actually seen the Menorah in the Temple of God with his own eyes. And therefore, it gives us an idea of what Menorah would look like! Wow!

 

The Meaning of Magdala

Magdala is taken from an Aramaic word Magdala (מגדלא) or a Hebrew word Migdal (מגדל). It means “tower”.

Magdala is not only mentioned in the Bible, it’s also mentioned in Babylonian Talmud.  The full name of Magdala was used there-  מגדלא נוניה (Magdala Nunayya), and it means fish tower. Josephus the historian mentioned a place of  salted fish, Taricheae, and he probably refered to Magdala.

 

Magdala in the Bible

1. Yeshua (Jesus) walked throughout all Galilee. Since Magdala is located in Galilee, (and plus there is a synagogue here), it’s very likely that Yeshua had taught in this place.

Yeshua was going throughout all the Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the Good News of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and sickness among the people. (Matthew 4:23)

 

2. The birthplace of Mary Magdalene

Standing near the execution stake of Yeshua were His mother, His mother’s sister, Miriam the wife of Clopas, and Miriam from Magdala. (John 19:25)

And certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities—Miriam, the one called Magdalene, out of whom seven demons had gone (Luke 8:2)

 

3. Magadan is Magdala

And He sent away the multitude, got into the boat, and came to the region of Magdala.) (NKJV) / And after sending away the crowds, Yeshua got into the boat and went to the region of Magadan. (Matthew 15:39)

 

4. Magdala is probably Dalmanutha

Right away, He got into the boat with His disciples and went to the area of Dalmanutha. (Mark 8:10)

 

The History of Magdala

Magdala was a small fishing village. With its superior location, which is next to Arbel stream and the sea of Galilee, this place was suitable for developing agricultural or fishing industry. It makes sense how Mary Magdalene could support Yeshua’s ministry. (By the way, the Bible only says she was demon possessed and a sinner, but it wasn’t mentioned that she was a prostitute!)

From the 18 AD onwards, Magdala the fishing village lost its importance because of the rise of a new  Roman city – Tiberias.

In addition to being the hometown of Mary Magdalene, Magdalene was also the hometown of Yosef ben Matityahu. He was a general who led the Jewish revolt against the Romans, but he lost and was enslaved. Later he was famously known as Josephus Flavius the historian. In 66-67AD, the Jewish revolution failed. In Roman and Byzantine times, Magdala was gradually forgotten.

In 1960, on the surface of where Magdala was, a resort called “Hawaii Beach” was built. The business was not successful. In 2006, it was sold to Catholic priest Father Juan Solana, who wanted to build a Christian prayer and worship center by the Sea of Galilee.

 

The acquision of the land took 3 years and 4 installments. In 2009, the church went through regular archaeological inspection to make sure there’s no historical items or artifacts underneath the stratum.  And 30 centimeters below the surface, a 1st century synagogue was found!  Archaeological work is still ongoing.

 

Entry Tickets

Adult ₪15, Student or Over 65 ₪10, Kids (Under 12) free.

 

The land was originally bought to build a Christian worship center, but now they are preserving this place, and they are independently paying for all excavation costs. From what they are charging, I think it is fairly reasonable!

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Eilat Coral Beach Nature Reserve https://wonderisrael.com/eilat-coral-beach-nature-reserve/ Tue, 07 Aug 2018 16:14:12 +0000 http://wonderisrael.com/?p=9659 : 9AM-6PM (to 5PM on Fridays)

: (Closes 1 hour earlier in winter)

: ₪35 (Student ₪30, Children ₪21)

: 2 hours

:

In the southern part of Israel, you will find a relaxing city called Eilat! It’s by the Red Sea, hence a great place for snorkeling! Why not come to Coral Beach Nature Reserve to enjoy a lazy afternoon?

The entrance fee is reasonable, and it can be even considered free if you already have “Annual Pass” for Israel National Park. You can rent most equipments needed here! Just make sure you have a swimming suit!

 

The rental fees. The mask ₪15, snorkel ₪8, life jacket ₪13. Expect to pay a ₪100 deposit or leave your credit card here. If you want to save money, you can rent 1 life jacket for the 2 of you (if both of you cannot swim), since you will need a person taking care of valuables. There probably isn’t a locker with a lock that works…

 

The facility here is quite basic. It’s kind of like a public beach, where there’s no curtain for the shower.

 

Across the Red Sea, this is either Aqaba or …. Taba?

 

If I didn’t come with my family, I don’t think I’ll go snorkeling. There’s no lifeguard here. Then who is that guy in the watchtower? Well, he has ‘other’ assignment and saving drowning people isn’t his job.

 

The Map at Coral Beach

It’s kind of like this. Sorry about the Chinese translation on it. You will receive a new map when you get there.

 

If you cannot swim like me, these are 3 ways to enjoy snorkeling with a life jacket:

1) Stand on a Bridge

You see, there are two bridges. (*Map 3&5). It leads to the deep water area. But if you stand on the bridge, you can see right through the waters!

 

Here!

 

2) The 1-meter Deep Easy Zone 

There are only 2 small areas by the shore accessible to the public, and there’s no coral in this area. The boundary is set by buoys. Fishes come and go, so you only need to wait. They don’t know that human beings are standing in this area! You don’t even need to rent a snorkel if all you plan is to stand in this area (only 1 meter deep) and to put your head under water for 10 seconds.

 

Who is this happy fish?

 

Be Aware! Don’t get cut by small rocks here! If you have wounds on your body… it will be painful if you are going to the Dead Sea after this!

 

3) Follow the Bouy Ropes in the Coral Zone

There are 2 routes in the coral zone for snorkeling. The short route is 130 meters long (*Map 1). The long route is 250 meters long (*Map 2). You get there by walking on the bridge mentioned in Option 1.  But there isn’t a bridge at the end of the long route.

If you cannot swim, hold the rope. My dad swims but he held the rope like us because it was windy that day.

It was a fun experience!

Very worthwhile! The beach was clean, it’s off-beaten, and seems like not much was happening. Just you, some tourists and the nature.

I can recommend coming here!

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Avshalom Stalactite Cave https://wonderisrael.com/avshalom-stalactite-cave/ Sun, 05 Aug 2018 15:52:39 +0000 http://wonderisrael.com/?p=9569
: 9AM-12PM, 2PM-5:30PM

: Closed on Sundays (Closes 1 hour earlier in winter)

: ?

: 1 hour

:

Originally a mining site, Avshalom Cave, also known as Soreq Cave was discovered in 1968 by accident. This hidden treasure has become a national park since then.

You can use the Annual Park pass for entry. The tour is about 30 minutes. But schedule at least 1 hour for this site as you can only register your session when you arrive. The tour is in Hebrew only. Photos are allowed but don’t use flash!

 

I don’t think it’s fully accessible because there were so many stairs from parking, down to information center, to the meeting point and finally to the cave.

 

You need to come to the souvenir shop to register for your session. You’ll be assigned to the next possible session There is a session every 20-30 minutes.

 

The tour is in Hebrew only. And you need to be in a group all the time.

 

You’ll first watch a movie in Hebrew about this place, English subtitle available. And then you’ll be led to the cave! It’s incredibly beautiful!

 

There were around 40 people in our group, Like this!

 

You can take photos, but don’t use flash. There’s so much diversity in this cave. You’ll find different types of stalactite!

 

There is a perfect balance between reseacher’s need and tourism. The pathway is built in a way that you can feel the majesty being surrounded by such beauty, but not too close to interfere scientific researches.

 

What surprised me was some stalactite was next to the fence. Anyone can touch it, even not deliberately. What I remember about stalactite is that if you touch it with your hand, it dies. But look at this one! It’s still alive! I’m just surprised how conscious Israelis are!

 

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