#Ein Gedi Nature Reserve

[blueiscoool]

Rebel Jewish Coin Dating to Anti-Roman Revolt Discovered in Israel

A rare half-shekel coin dug up in the Ein Gedi nature reserve was inscribed with the words “The Holy Jerusalem” in Hebrew.

A rare half-shekel silver coin from the first year of the First Jewish Revolt against the Romans about two millennia ago has been discovered in the Judean Desert. The rare coin, discovered in the area of the Ein Gedi nature reserve, had the words “The Holy Jerusalem” in ancient Hebrew on the coin’s face.

The coin, dated to 66/67 CE when the Second Temple was destroyed in Jerusalem, was found in the Judean Desert Survey led by the Israel Antiquities Authority together with the Heritage Ministry and the staff officer of the Civil Administration Archaeology Unit in Judea and Samaria carried out over the last six years with the aim of retrieving these ancient finds before the antiquity looters.

Recently, in the course of examining every cave and crack in the rock, Israel Antiquities Authority inspectors reached a cliff in a wadi near En Gedi when they came across the coin on the ground at the entrance of one of the caves.

One explanation for this find is that the Jerusalem-minted coin fell from the pocket of a rebel who escaped to the desert during the revolt – perhaps on his way to nearby En Gedi.

On one side of the coin, “The Holy Jerusalem” appears – the word “Holy” spelled without a vowel, reflecting the development of the writing on the coins that appeared later on in the Revolt as “The Holy Jerusalem” with the vowel. Three pomegranates are depicted on the center of the coin – a familiar symbol as it was adopted on the old Israeli lira coin that was currency in the State of Israel until 1980.

On the other side of the coin, a chalice (goblet) is depicted, above which the letter “Aleph” appears marking the first year of the outbreak of the Revolt and the value “Half-Shekel.” The chalice is a characteristic symbol on Jewish coins in currency towards the end of the Second Temple period.

Jewish rebels minted their own coins

These coins were minted in the values of shekel and half-shekel at the time of the First Revolt of the Jews against the Romans in Judea between the years 66 to 70 CE.

In line with the Torah commandment prohibiting the depiction of images, the Jews used vegetal motifs and cultic and religious symbols on their coins, while the pagan population depicted symbols such as animals and the portrait of the ruling emperors and the Greek language that was the common language employed at the time.

As part of the Jewish defiance, and the creation of an internal “Jewish Revolt economy,” the rebels minted their own silver and bronze coins depicting Jewish symbols.

The rebels decided to use the archaic Hebrew script that was current several hundred years earlier at the time of the First Temple Period instead of the Greek script that was used by the population in the country and the region at the time of the Second Temple.

The leaders of the Jewish Revolt decided to defy the rulers and to mint silver coins autonomously, using the Hebrew script and without the image of the ruling Emperor. It seems that the coins were minted in Jerusalem, possibly in the Temple area.

According to Yaniv David Levy, the Israel Antiquities Authority’s numismatic scholar, “coins from the first year of the Revolt such as this one, are rare. During the Second Temple period, Jewish pilgrims used to pay a Temple Tax in half-shekel coins.

For about 200 years, Tyrian-minted coins (tetradrachms from Tyre, which in the Roman Empire took on an unusual role as the medium of payment for the Temple tax in Jerusalem) made of fine silver and a status symbol in the region, were used for this contribution.

In the course of the revolt the rebels minted alternative coins inscribed with “Shekel Israel,” “Half-Shekel,” and “Quarter-Shekel” coins. It seems that the rituals in the Temple continued during the revolt and these coins were now used by the rebels.

Jewish rebels minted their own coins

These coins were minted in the values of shekel and half-shekel at the time of the First Revolt of the Jews against the Romans in Judea between the years 66 to 70 CE.

In line with the Torah commandment prohibiting the depiction of images, the Jews used vegetal motifs and cultic and religious symbols on their coins, while the pagan population depicted symbols such as animals and the portrait of the ruling emperors and the Greek language that was the common language employed at the time.

As part of the Jewish defiance, and the creation of an internal “Jewish Revolt economy,” the rebels minted their own silver and bronze coins depicting Jewish symbols.

The rebels decided to use the archaic Hebrew script that was current several hundred years earlier at the time of the First Temple Period instead of the Greek script that was used by the population in the country and the region at the time of the Second Temple.

The leaders of the Jewish Revolt decided to defy the rulers and to mint silver coins autonomously, using the Hebrew script and without the image of the ruling Emperor. It seems that the coins were minted in Jerusalem, possibly in the Temple area.

According to Yaniv David Levy, the Israel Antiquities Authority’s numismatic scholar, “coins from the first year of the Revolt such as this one, are rare. During the Second Temple period, Jewish pilgrims used to pay a Temple Tax in half-shekel coins.

For about 200 years, Tyrian-minted coins (tetradrachms from Tyre, which in the Roman Empire took on an unusual role as the medium of payment for the Temple tax in Jerusalem) made of fine silver and a status symbol in the region, were used for this contribution.

In the course of the revolt the rebels minted alternative coins inscribed with “Shekel Israel,” “Half-Shekel,” and “Quarter-Shekel” coins. It seems that the rituals in the Temple continued during the revolt and these coins were now used by the rebels.

[coremagazines]

Tel Aviv boasts the best of both worlds

The city of Tel Aviv offers delicious traditional local foods served up as street fare or fine dining. You don’t have to choose between the city’s rich cultural heritage and its laid-back beach atmosphere. One world isn’t necessarily better than the other. The thing that makes Tel Aviv an ideal travel destination is that you can enjoy both. Both are sublime. Continue reading Untitled

[girlactionfigure]

Rebel Jewish coin dating to anti-Roman revolt discovered in Israel.

A rare half-shekel coin dug up in the Ein Gedi nature reserve was inscribed with the words “The Holy Jerusalem” in Hebrew.

The coin, dated to 66/67 CE when the Second Temple was destroyed in Jerusalem, was found in the Judean Desert Survey led by the Israel Antiquities Authority together with the Heritage Ministry and the staff officer of the Civil Administration Archaeology Unit in Judea and Samaria carried out over the last six years with the aim of retrieving these ancient finds before the antiquity looters. 

Recently, in the course of examining every cave and crack in the rock, Israel Antiquities Authority inspectors reached a cliff in a wadi near En Gedi when they came across the coin on the ground at the entrance of one of the caves.

More here: Source

[cheeseburgerdanvers]

Waterfalls in Ein Gedi Nature Reserve, Israel

[jakubrybkowskicas]

Activity 1/2 + 2/2 February

In February, I got the opportunity to visit Israel. I spent a large portion of the trip hiking in some of the most popular trails in the country such as the Masada Snake path or the nature reserve in Ein Gedi. Although the hikes were challenging at times due to the warm weather they were also very enjoyable and made me feel a sense of accomplishment.

[private-tours-in-israel]

Touring Ein Gedi with the Mendel’s and Salina’s (at Ein Gedi Nature Reserve) https://www.instagram.com/p/CpC_PETNZvx/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[oristernprivatetour]

A Grand Way To Explore The Vibrant City & Rich Jewish History Of Israel.

The best approach to exploring Israel’s fascinating history while keeping an eye on its future is to travel there. The Jewish Israel tours are the perfect way to get introduced to many meaningful sites to help foster the connection to the Holy Land. The custom-made Jewish Israel Tour takes you into the vibrant history of Jewish Heritage in Israel. Professional tour guides help you gain a deeper connection and awareness of both past and present aspects of Jewish life.

From ancient archaeological wonders to the Dead Sea and the Old City of Jerusalem, the Jewish Israel tours take the abundance of sites throughout the region into consideration to maximize time spent at each location. The Jewish Israel tours are completely customizable. It can be organized based on your specific interests, timeframe and budget. A comprehensive Jewish Israel tour offers you the full touring option, including a great number of important sites and Israeli experiences.

Jewish Israel tours offer you an unforgettable experience with the Land of Israel. From visiting places of ultimate religious significance and importance such as Jerusalem, Yad Vashem, and Masada, to highlights of modern-day Israel such as Tel Aviv and modern Jerusalem, iconic natural wonders such as the Dead Sea and Ein Gedi Nature Reserve, and several other locations across Israel. Some of the things to do on your Jewish Israel Tour are:

Visit the most important Juice Sites in Israel- the Western Wall, City of David, Masada & more

Walk through Jerusalem’s Ancient streets and feel history come to life

Explore Modern Jerusalem including the markets & Israel Museum

Descend the Lowest Point in the world, Float in the Dead Sea and tour the Masada Fortress

Tour the modern-day Tel Aviva – Israel’s vibrant modern city

enjoy the local food, market, culture & architecture

Discover the ancient Heridian port of Caesarea in Haifa and Akko

Most of the Jewish Israel tours include the popular Jewish Israel tours. It is designed from experience and it will bring a balance to your travel experience. These excursions can be adjusted to accommodate groups of all sizes, including very big ones. During the planning process, you will be able to work directly and closely with a tour planner at Ori Stern. Their knowledgeable planning representative listens closely to what is important for your upcoming Jewish Israel tours!

Ori Stern is dedicated to prosperous Jewish Israel tours & work hard to create a unique and once-in-a-lifetime travel experience. They offer thoughtful options and are happy to assist in planning a comprehensive tour experience! The overnight accommodations, luxury coach transportation, and fully licensed and experienced tour guides are a part of your Jewish Israel tour. They also take into consideration hotel accommodations, meals, touring options and any other relevant services needed to make the entire trip comfortable.

Contact Ori Stern now to arrange a well-organized Jewish Israel tour. There are absolutely no shortages of activities in Israel, especially when you plan your tour with Ori Stern. They can customize an itinerary keeping your interests in mind.

[bmberger]

Guys

How are we forgetting the ibex?

You know, the one that we use to make Shofarim?

The one that sadly was hunted to near extinction because it was associated with Jews specifically (Source: visit to the ein gedi nature reserve irl)

We need more ibex appreciation here

This is going to be a hell of a werid question buuut I'd like some jewish hindsight in this!

If I wanted to create a jewish furry/anthro character, is there an animal in specific that would be problematic to use for that?

Yes!

Rats and Pigs are pretty problematic because that's what we are constantly compared to them!

Maybe don't do Vampire Bats either because of the blood libel implications...

-Cecil

[kinorinsama]

Waterfalls in Ein Gedi Nature Reserve, Israel

[peacefuldwellings]

[blueiscoool]

A 2,200-year-old Silver Coin Hoard Found at Desert Cave in Israel

Hidden under a swatch of purple, coins found in a Dead Sea cave weren’t from the Bar Kochba period but from Hasmonean era centuries earlier.

Roughly 2,200 years ago, somebody hid a wooden box with 15 silver coins in a cave in the Judaea Desert. The box would lie moldering in the crack into which it had been shoved until earlier this year, when it was found by archaeologists with the Israel Antiquities Authority carrying out surveys.

The find was made in Muraba’at Cave, now part of the Nahal Darga Nature Reserve by the Dead Sea (some call it the Wadi Darageh). The cave had famously sheltered Jews fleeing the Romans at the end of the ill-fated Bar Kochba revolt that began in 132 C.E. But these newly unearthed coins are the first solid evidence of people using the cave to hide centuries earlier, at the end of the Hasmonean period, the Israel Antiquities Authority says.

This season’s excavations in the cave, in the framework of the Judean Desert Excavation and Survey Project, began last March. The cave is a big one, about 100 meters (nearly 330 feet) deep, and archaeology is a painstaking profession, so the team “had been digging for almost two months when we found the treasure in May,” says the IAA’s Eitan Klein.

The excavation process involves gingerly and meticulously removing layers while keeping a sharp eye out for finds, he explains – and one can’t think of the cave like a room, with smooth walls and corners. It’s a convoluted, craggy, jagged place and at some point, excavating a previously unexplored spot, as they removed dirt from a crack – there it was, he says.

A moment of purple

The container was made of wood turned on a lathe, and though rare – if only because most wooden boxes from that period would long have returned to dust – such items aren’t unknown, Klein says. “A box like this was found in Ein Gedi, for instance, but it wasn’t as beautifully finished. Here and there, they do show up. But because they’re organic, only ones left in the deserts have survived.”

Okay. Having extracted the ancient box from the dirt filling the crack, the archaeologists prised off its lid – and were greeted by the sight of more dirt, with some small pebbles. So far, not the stuff of thrillers.

But below the dirt was a piece of woolen cloth dyed purple. Was it – could it have been – dyed with the royal purple, the precious dye extracted from the shell of the unfortunate Murex snail? Samples of textiles dyed with real purple, which is associated with the 1 percenters of biblical times, have been found in Timna (the ancient copper mine in the Negev anecdotally associated with King Solomon), from a thousand years before this box entered the world.

However, it cannot be said that this textile in the lathe-carved wooden container was that same precious royal purple because it remains to be analyzed, Klein says.

Anyway, below it, nestled lovingly in a clump of sheep’s wool, were the 15 coins. Before analysis, the coins had to be cleaned: they corrode after 2,200 years in a box, Klein notes. The coins were analyzed by Klein together with numismatist Gabriela Bijovsky.

As said, Muraba’at was known to have sheltered Jews fleeing from the Romans when the Bar Kochba revolt failed in 136 C.E. But once the coins were restored to their shiny original condition, the team was in for a shock. “Often, ancient coins bear inscriptions and symbols that help date them,” Klein says. These did – and, lo, they predated Bar Kochba by centuries.

All were silver tetradrachma minted by Ptolemy VI, king of Egypt. Three had been manufactured in 176-175 B.C.E., and the latest one was dated to 171-170 B.C.E., which is associated with the onset of the Maccabean Revolt following anti-Jewish decrees issued by the Seleucid emperor Antiochus IV Epiphanes.

Egypt had ruled Judea for a time many centuries earlier, but certainly not when these coins were minted. When Ptolemy VI reigned over Egypt, the Seleucid kingdom, including Judea, was under the scepter of his uncle Antiochus IV Epiphanes (aka “the Wicked”).

The name “Shalmai” in Aramaic script was found secondarily incised on one of the coins, the IAA says.

And thus, we have actual evidence of rebels fleeing to the Negev as the struggle between the Hellenistic regime and the Hasmoneans wound down. No evidence of that whatsoever has been found until now, Klein spells out, so the discovery was quite the surprise. “I was sure they’d be Bar Kochba coins,” he says.

Apropos, the contents of the box may seem bewildering: precious silver coins wrapped in wool, covered by purple textile no less, then dirt. Klein is not bewildered. For one thing, all that padding – which is what it boils down to – would protect the coins. Chiefly, though, Klein surmises that the owner was in flight and didn’t want his stash to rattle in the box.

That theory would also fit with the manner in which the treasure was hidden, and we can even speculate as to the fate of its owner – because they were still there after 2,200 years.

“It says in the Book of Maccabees that Jews fled to the desert, and now we have proven it true,” says Klein. “This is an absolutely unique find.”

Maybe that is why the coins were still there, found with other stuff from times of yore – including fragments of rope and textiles, other coins that may be from the Bar Kochba period and even tiny fragments of scrolls, Klein reveals.

When the dig of the cave resumes later this month, they hope to find even more. However, it will be hard to beat some of the other artifacts found during the surveys in the desert. These include a large basket gorgeously weaved over 10,000 years ago, which, like the wooden box, survived thanks to having been abandoned in one of the drier places on Earth.

By Ruth Schuster.

[testimonyz]

This oasis is in Ein Gedi a place mentioned in the Bible! For example, David hid around here from Saul. (1 Samuel)

Imagine God building this place of peace, knowing it would be used as a refuge in the wilderness. Imagine David finding this hidden waterfall, and allowing God to refresh Him here as he would encourage his heart in the Lord, seeking peace.

It is even possible that David wrote Psalms 57 & 142 near here! There are several little pools and waterfalls in Ein Gedi, which is now a nature reserve in which people can come and hike! 

[morethanus-life]

Ibexes fight during the species’ oestrus cycle in the Ein Gedi nature reserve along the Dead Sea in Israel

Photograph: Menahem Kahana/AFP/Getty Images

[demigod-dreams]

Waterfalls in Ein Gedi Nature Reserve, Israel

[the-garbanzo-annex-jr]

There are a few key takeaways from Israel’s ibex success story. Conservation biology is a complex discipline, but a few truisms are constant: setting aside large habitats, where ecosystems can continue to evolve and where humans cannot perform their mischief, is critical; Enforcing hunting prohibitions is vital.

If tourists want to enjoy nature, then management and intervention are essential. In the most popular reserves, like Ein Gedi, the gates don’t open until 8:00 a.m., and all the visitors are thrown out by 4 p.m. — giving the native critters a few peaceful hours, free from the adoring sightseers.

When the right combination of humility and professionalism are combined, people can actually be helpful. Israeli news periodically report the country’s conscientious “search and rescue” teams (who typically extricate stranded hikers) assisting errant ibex who lose their footing or fall into a water hole.

Ultimately, conservation efforts need to focus on setting aside habitat. In Israel, where most lands are government-owned, there are still numerous sites that should simply be declared nature reserves. Around the world, many of the most species-rich habitats are privately owned. These need to be bought and conserved as sanctuaries.