Shabbat in Jerusalem

Shabbat Shalom from Jerusalem!

This morning, we went to the Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion for Shabbat morning services. Both Karen (our congregation's president) and I were given honors (hagbah and g'lilah). The service was all in Hebrew, but the sermon and announcements were in English. Everyone enjoyed watching the future cantors of America co-lead the service with Rabbi Michael Marmur (Dean). Following services, we joined together for kiddush and motzi, shared with everyone where they were from (congregations and rabbis from California, Florida, New York, Georgia, Massachusetts, Ohio, and Illinois).

A problem when visiting Israel in February is that it can rain. Well, today, the skies opened and the temperature dropped. It was even sleeting. This has been a dry winter for Israel, so everyone didn't mind the downpour. Have no fear, it is in the rain that we journeyed to the Christian Quarter of the Old City to visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and some of the stations of the Via Delorosa (Cross).

We learned that the three primary custodians of the church, first appointed when Crusaders held Jerusalem, are the Greek Orthodox, the Armenian Apostolic and Roman Catholic churches. In the 19th century, the Coptic Orthodox, the Ethiopian Orthodox and the Syrian Orthodox acquired lesser responsibilities, which include shrines and other structures within and around the building. An agreement regulates times and places of worship for each Church as they do not get along well.

We learned much about the Christian faith; and more importantly, we were able to see the many similarities to Judaism, especially with the preparing of the body and the burial in the tomb. The church's chaotic history is evident in what visitors see today. Byzantine, medieval, Crusader, and modern elements mix in an odd mish-mash of styles, and each governing Christian community has decorated its shrines in its own distinctive way. In many ways, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre is not what one would imagine for the holiest site in all Christendom, and it can easily disappoint. But at the same time, its noble history and immense religious importance is such that a visit can also be very meaningful to the faithful.

Here is part of the mural depicting the taking down of Jesus from the cross and preparing his body for burial:



We ended our Shabbat with Havdalah and enjoyed our last evening in Jerusalem. Tomorrow, we head south to Eilat. We then prepare for our journey to Petra, Jordan. Enjoy!