GUSH ETZION...HERODION....MASADA

GUSH ETZION

This region south of Jerusalem, with its picturesque rolling hills adorned with grape arbors and olive groves, is brimming with biblical and modern history. For millennia, the main road through here passed near Bethlehem, which in Bible days was called Efrat (Gen. 48:7). In a nod to past, present and future, the region’s largest modern community bears that same name.

The name of another Gush Etzion town, Alon Shvut––“oak of return”­­­­–– is also meaningful, in terms of more recent history. In 1927, Yemenite Jews founded the region’s first farming community, naming it Migdal Eder (Gen. 35:31). Later, four more farming communities were established by other Jewish pioneers. Although they had to abandon their homes during Israel’s War of Independence in 1948, the inhabitants never forgot them, and over the years they would come to gaze from a distance at a huge, lone oak tree, which they could see on the horizon. The actual ancient oak is now a treasured visitors' site near the town of Alon Shvut.

In 1967 Gush Etzion was re-established. Among the first to arrive were young adults who had lived there as children before 1948,  conveying new meaning to Jeremiah’s comforting words to Rachel (who gave birth to Benjamin not far from here): “And there is hope for your future; your children shall return to their country” (Jerusalem. 31:17). 

Another attraction is the two-mile-long Patriarch’s Highway, which begins near Alon Shvut. In addition to magnificent landscapes, visitors see a fine ancient ritual bath (mikveh), similar to those described in the Mishnah. Scholars believe travelers immersed here before reaching Jerusalem, especially on the busy holidays of Pesach, Shavuot and Sukkot––to avoid the crowds at the Holy City’s ritual baths!

Speaking of holidays, the Patriarch’s Highway also has a Chanukah connection: It passes near Beit Zacharyah, where Elazar, the brother of Judah the Maccabee (who also has a Gush Etzion community named after him), fought the Greeks.

The Kfar Etzion visitors' center showcases the region’s heritage in a moving audio-visual presentation and offers tours of the region and accommodations.

For more information: Kfar Etzion Field Education Center: www.k-etzion.co.il.

HERODION

A historical site located on the border of the Judean desert, some 8 km east of Bethlehem, this fortified mountain palace was built by king Herod and named in his honor. After Massada, it is the second most famous of the desert fortresses built to ensure his kingdom’s security and his personal safety. The artificial hill was used as a hide-out by the zealots in the Bar Kochba revolt, and later as a Monastery by Byzantine monks.

Massada is one of the most exciting and frequently-toured places in Israel, and relates a story of perseverance and power, faith and surrender, ambitions, and a tragic end. Massada is a place where battles were waged with rocks and flaming arrows, as well as battles of the human spirit. Massada is situated on the top of a mountain with steep sides and a flat top like a parapet overlooking the desert panorama to the west and the Dead Sea to the east.  The thrilling story of the site reveals the courage of the defenders of Massada and their battle against the conquering Romans. The story, related against the background of the ancient panorama, is as thrilling as a Hollywood movie, and is filled with tension, struggle, and love.

The fortress of Massada was built in the year 30 BCE by King Herod, whose architectural feats have left their mark throughout the country.  At the beginning of the great revolt against Rome in the year 68 BCE, the site was conquered by a group of Jewish zealots, and Massada became their last stronghold.  In the year 72 the Romans besieged Massada and succeeded in reaching the steep fortress after constructing a huge earthen ramp on its western side.  In the year 73, the 960 Jewish zealots living at the top of Massada chose to commit suicide rather than to fall into the hands of the Romans alive. Their deeds left behind a saga of courage, heroism, and martyrdom. 

The remains of the fortress of Massada are well-preserved and have been reconstructed in an effort to pay homage to the site and its heroic inhabitants. The most impressive structure on Massada is King Herod's northern palace, built on three rock terraces overlooking the gorge below.  Near the palace is a large Roman style bath house with a colorful mosaic floor and walls decorated with murals.  Many other buildings at the site - such as the luxurious western palace, the mikveh (Jewish ritual bath), storerooms, watchtowers, and synagogue relate the history of Massada, especially when viewed with artifacts such as storage containers, decorated pottery, scrolls, and coins. 

The beautiful embossments and murals that were discovered on the walls of buildings on Massada were restored by Italian experts to preserve them for years to come. This is the largest and most complete Roman siege camp that remains today.  Massada is extremely high, and can be ascended on foot by the winding "snake path" or by a cable car that runs from the tourist center at the feet of Massada to the top.  

The tourist center also features a movie about the story of Massada, a model of the site, and an exhibit of the archeological findings. 

A visit to Massada is a thrilling and exciting experience.  The chilling story and the archeological remains contribute to the special atmosphere of the site, and preserve its magnificent past.  In the year 2000 readers of Traveler Magazine rated Massada as the best tourist site of its type in the world, and in 2001 UNESCO declared Massada a World Heritage Site.