3/28/2011 - Up to Jerusalem

We left Beit She'an and made our way up to Jerusalem singing Shir Ha'Ma'alot and reading Psalms along the way.  The geology along the way showed how volatile the earth has been in the area, curving upon itself.

We arrived at Mt. Scopus where we drank wine after kiddush and had challah after the motzi.

We also opened up the two pomegranates that Yitzchak had given Suzan and me in Rehovot - yes, we carried them with us for about a week.

The old city gleamed before us in the late day sun.

 After leaving Mt. Scopus, we were able to look back and see the buildings, including the Church of the Ascension, the gold onion domes of the Church of Mary Magdalene and the mosaic depiction of Mary and others on the front precipice of the Gethsemane Church.

Church of the Ascension

Church of Mary Magdalene

Gethsemane Church

We then saw the burial grounds of the Mt. of Olives and proceeded through the Dung Gate to the Western Wall.  The courtyard surrounding the entrance to the wall is filled with a very large complex of Aish HaTorah World of Canada, the Chabad and other yeshivas.  The men went together to the men's side and the women to the women's side.  This visit to the wall was more emotional and fulfilling than my visit of 40 years ago.  I recited the Shema and stood quietly with my fellow travelers.  We slowly backed away from the wall and returned to the courtyard where a bride was being photographed.

 We left the old city and drove to our hotel, seeing the Montefiore Windmill along the way.