Israel Day 8 - Southern Wall, Western Wall, Jewish Quarter, House of Caiaphas, Garden Tomb

Southern Wall Excavation

At the Southern wall of the Temple Mount there is an important archeological dig. It has uncovered areas that date to before the destruction of the temple in 70 AD. There are city streets, Mikvehs (ceremonial washing) and a large set of steps that would have led into the temple area. All of this was there when Jesus visited the temple.

Ruins the Southern Wall of the Temple

Western Wall

The Western Wall is a portion of Herod's Temple (the Temple wall, not the city wall). Jews call it the Western Wall. Because of all the people praying there, others called it the "Wailing wall" but our guides didn't seem to like the term. We were invited to write down our prayer requests and stick them into the wall. There is even an email address you can write to and they will print your request and place it into the wall. As the guide said, "does it help, who knows, but it can't hurt" (as opposed to just praying normally I suppose). This was a pretty solemn and intense place. Yes, God is everywhere, but he is definitely here at the Western Wall.

Praying at the Western Wall

Jewish Quarter

When the Old City was taken by the Jordan in 1948, the Jews were expelled and the Jewish Quarter was destroyed. But there was a blessing in this. When the Israel retook Jerusalem in 1967 they were able to do extensive archeology that wouldn't have been allowed otherwise. They found portions of Hezekiah's wall. The quarter was rebuilt and is very modern looking.

New buildings in the Jewish Quarter

House of Caiaphas

Just outside the Old City, on the southern side is the House of Caiaphas. Caiaphas was High Priest when Christ was crucified. This was also the place where Peter denied Jesus the third time. Archeological evidence is pretty clear that this is an authentic site. There are ruins of a 1st century street, a dungeon etc... Of course a modern church is built on the site.

Church at the House of Caiaphas

A Garden Tomb

Our final stop was a place called the Garden Tomb. There they have uncovered a rich man's garden and a tomb. Near by there is a stone outcropping that arguably looks like a skull (i.e. Golgotha, Place of the Skull). We had a tour led by the local guides and a communion service. If this is not the actual location of Christ's crucifiction and burial, it gives a nice feel for how it would have been like as the gardens have been restored.

Israel Day 8 Gallery

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Southern Wall
Western Wall
Jewish Quarter
Garden Tomb