A view of Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives – the sparkling golden dome of the iconic Dome On the Rock
During the next part of our trip to Israel and Palestine, we decided to take a day trip to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv. At just over an hour drive from Tel Aviv, Jerusalem is easily accessible but feels like a different world. The beach culture of Tel Aviv is in stark contrast to the pious feel of the old city of Jerusalem.
A view of the Holy Church of the Sepulchre – proposed site of the crucifixion and burial of Jesus
Jerusalem has an amazingly complex history and is the subject of so much controversy which is one reason why this city is so fascinating to me. Jerusalem serves as the capital of Israel although most of the international community does not recognize this. Currently, Israel illegally occupies East Jerusalem from the Palestinians according to international law.
Modern day Jerusalem – An outdoor walking mall just adjacent to the old city
Political tensions aside, Jerusalem is without doubt, the holiest city in the world. You can feel the religious overtones at just about any point while walking inside the walls of the old city. Jerusalem is the holiest city in the Jewish and Christian faiths and the third most holy city for Muslims after Mecca and Medina.
The Western (Wailing) Wall – a holy site for Jews just adjacent to the Temple Mount
This intersection of three religions is awe-inspiring to witness. Within the span of less then an hour, I witnessed a Bat Mitzvah at the Western Wall, a call to Prayer for Muslims to a mosque in the Temple Mount during the holy month of Ramadan, and witnessed Christian pilgrims walking the steps of Jesus along the Via Dolorosa toward the Holy Church of the Sepulcher.
One of the many Bat Mitzvahs near the Western Wall
To see so many people completely moved and in touch with their deeper spiritual side, whether they were Jews, Christians, or Muslims, was truly amazing. Even as someone who is not extremely religious, I couldn’t help but feel a deeper spiritual sense while walking around Jerusalem. There is no other place in the world where this intersection of faith is visible on such a macroscopic level.
Site where the body of Jesus was cleansed in the Holy Church of the Sepulchre
Jerusalem is a city that provides so many great travel memories. Seeing the iconic golden dome on the Dome Of The Rock and the rest of the old city of Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives was a moment that I will never forget. Standing among the olive trees in the Garden of Gethsemane was about as close as you can get to re-tracing the steps of Jesus. The ancient history, the religion, the political tension and the shear beauty make Jerusalem a transcendent travel experience, one that I will cherish for years to come.
The Garden of Gethsemane – spot where Jesus and his disciples prayed the night before his crucifixion
Other pictures from Jerusalem:
Placing a stone on the grave of Oskar Schindler at Mount Zion
The Dome on the Rock – Muslim holy site where Muhammad ascended to heaven. For Jews, the place where Abraham prepared to sacrifice his son, Isaac.
Proposed site of the crucifixion in the Holy Church of the Sepulchre
