Masada and the Dead Sea

Dear Friends:


Today, we journeyed south to the mountain fortress, Masada. Special kudos to Valerie and Barry who left early to climb the snake path up! We joined them on top as we sped in our cable car. This is the final outpost of the Zealot Jews in their rebellion against Roman authority (66–73 CE). Located in the Judaean Desert, the fortress sits atop a mesa-shaped rock that towers some 1,300 ft (400 m) above the western shore of the Dead Sea. According to the ancient historian Josephus, Masada was first fortified sometime during the 1st or 2d cent. BCE. Between 37 and 31 BCE, Herod the Great, king of Judaea, further strengthened Masada, building two ornate palaces, a bathhouse, aqueducts, and surrounding siege walls. A special treat occurred because the stairway to the middle and lower levels of the palace were open to us - what a spectacular view!


In 66, with the outbreak of the Jewish war against Rome, the Zealots, an extremist Jewish sect, seized the fortress in a surprise attack and massacred its Roman garrison. Masada remained under Zealot control until 73, when, after a siege, the 15,000 soldiers of Rome's tenth legion finally subdued the 960 men, women, and children holding the fortress. In a final act of defiance, however, almost all of the Jewish defenders had killed themselves rather than be captured and enslaved by the Romans. Only two women and five children survived to tell of the Zealots' last action. Most archaeologists believe the siege lasted several months, although some have suggested it may have taken only a few weeks. We explored the various excavations and saw the ramp the Romans built to take Masada. There is much history, but much more is needed to understand what happened here.


We then went to Qumran, home of the famous caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. In addition, an Ahava Outlet Store - Ahava Beauty Products come from the Dead Sea. As their brochure shares, "the Earth is the largest natural spa. Located on the lowest point of the planet (410 meters below sea level), it abounds with a variety of minerals with proven therapeutic powers and cosmetic benefits. The life-giving waters of the Dead Sea contain the highest concentration of minerals in the world – an astounding 32%. Its sedimentary clay layers of rich, black mineral mud yield extraordinary concentrations of natural elements (ten times more than ocean water) – such as magnesium, calcium, potassium, strontium, boron and iron – that are essential to maintaining healthy, supple skin. Finally, the exceptionally low altitude provides for a dense blanket of pure, pollution-free oxygen that supplies added protection in filtering out the sun’s harmful rays. These are only some of the reasons why people come from all over the world to enjoy this magical, health-enhancing oasis." So, some of us shopped till we dropped! But we all have beautiful skin now!


We spent some time exploring the ancient community of Qumran and we could see many caves - some which held the scrolls found in the late 1940's and early 1950's. It is a fascinating archaeological site as it raises more questions about the Essenes than answers. From here, we went to the Dead Sea itself and got into the waters. We all came out glowing and feeling refreshed! It is definitely something everyone should try at least once.

I apologize in advance - getting the photos uploaded has become challenging. I will post a photo review after March 2nd. See you soon