Israel Favorites: Part 2 - Masada

The quest of going through all the photos we took has been quite the undertaking. However, I am happy to say I think I might be halfway through. I found more memories I wanted to share. One of the places we went to was Masada. It is impressive. It's history was tragic though. 

Nothing but desert around it

First, it was a palace for Herod. A great palace on the cliff where he could look down on the people. Insanely enough, he never even went to it! It was just there. Much of the original decoration can still be seen. From the painted walls to the intricately carved stone.

Then it became a fortress during the age of the Maccabees. These were Jewish rebels who fought against the Roman rule and wanted to have their freedom and nation back. They fled the city, took over the palace and turned it into their own fortress where they lived and held their own for a while. But Romans don't like being shown up, so they came to siege against it.

It wasn't until they built the massive dirt and rock ramp (that still exists today) that they were able to wheel up their war machines and finally take the fortress.

The ramp built by the Romans

However, they were sorely disappointed when they finally did take it back. There were only 10 (or was it 11?) men and their families left by this point. They each wrote their name on a lot. A lot was how they decided important options, even in Biblical times.

They cast the lots and the one chosen had to kill all the other men, after those men killed their families, before killing himself. They decided that they would rather die by their own hands than be taken by the Romans. They also thought it better to kill their wives and children, rather than let the Romans do what they pleased with them. And no matter what, they would not allow anyone in the company to be taken as a slave to the Romans. Such a hard story to fathom, but such bravery and courage to have to come to a choice like that. By the time the Roman soldiers stormed in, everyone was shocked to find Jewish bodies scattered around. They did find 2 women and 5 children hiding in a cistern. It is because of their stories that Josephus Flavius was able to record the history. After speaking with the women and children, none of them were heard from again or mentioned in historical documents. It is believed that the Romans killed them all to bury all mentions besides those of Josephus as it does not paint such a heroic picture of their conquering endeavors. From atop the fortress mountain, you can still see two remains of the Roman camps when they siege the cliffs. 

From the top, all you can see surrounding it is desert! Dry sand and rock as far as your eyes can glance. 

While this was intended as a palace, when the Jews took it over, they made some modifications. One of the Jewish traditions that you will find in pretty much every ruin you come across, is the mikveh. These were for ritual baths that were intended to purify them for important occasions or even before meals I believe. They had a lot of strict rules (still do) and being clean to eat was one of them.A mikveh was to have 7 steps leading down into it. You would walk up to its entrance, taking off your clothing and setting them to the side, then walk down the steps into the water where you would fully submerge yourself, come back up the steps and put on clean clothing.

 

This fortress didn't end with the destruction of the Maccabees Jews. Fast-forward to the time of the Byzantine empire and we find that they also used this cliff side area. They built a church that now has its ruins added to the mix. Something that you will encounter often as you travel through Israel. 

We decided to take the easier route up and down this cliff. We road the lift. Think of a glass can and everyone is sardines being crammed in. We couldn't turn around without bumping into at least 3 people. So if you don't like that, better enjoy a long hike along the snake-like path that leads straight up to the fortress!

You can often find guys like this one with his camel, just waiting to give you a ride for only $5 USD. We saw one in Jericho too. Our camel ride was at a place where we had lunch with "Abraham" and could look at quite the amazing view towards Jordan. I think I will have to share some of those later on.