Holy Land Pilgrimage with Gila

 

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“AND ALL ATE AND WERE FILLED AND THEY TOOK UP
WHAT WAS LEFT OVER OF THE BROKEN PIECES:
TWELVE BASKETS FULL"
MATTHEW 14:20

 

Twelve most popular articles this week

 
Here are the twelve most ogled and googled articles on my site this week.  I chose the number twelve to represent the twelve tribes of Israel and the twelve apostles of Jesus, symbolizing all-encompassing and far-reaching.
 
1.  Gates of the Old City.  A handy orientation to Jerusalem’s Old City includes the history, geography, archeology and legends about its nine gates.  A chart of the gate names in English, Hebrew and Arabic will help you navigate its ancient alleyways.
 
2.  Israeli folk song lyrics.  Learn to sing the most popular Israeli songs such as Hava Nagila, Ode Avinu Hai and Shalom Haverim.
 
3.  Holy Land Spiders.  An unusual question about holy land spiders sent me off to interview Jerusalem’s most veteran “spider man,” 79-year-old Pini Amitai.  He described the seven most common web-spinning spiders in Israel and graciously gave me permission to reprint some of his great photos.
 
4.  Handy Hebrew phrases. Ten Hebrew phrases which will help you connect with Israelis you will be meeting during your pilgrimage.  As a bonus, some colorful local colloquialisms.

"Next year in Jerusalem!" | Ha Shana Ha Baa b'Yerushalayim

 
5.  Armageddon.  Strategically significant Megiddo, overlooking the Jezreel Valley, plays an important role at the end of days when the good guys will ultimately triumph over the forces of evil.  This article describes the recent find of a mosaic floor in what may have been the world’s oldest church.
 
6.  Isaiah scroll.  The crown jewel of the Dead Sea Scrolls is Isaiah Manuscript 1, the most ancient Biblical scroll intact with all 66 verses, found by the Beduin in 1947. Connect the discovery, the purchase, the preservation and the interpretation of the scroll to Luke chapter 4.
 
7.  Priestly benediction.  Noted excavator Dr. Gabi Barkay tells of discovering the oldest fragments of biblical verses -- the priestly benediction -- from the sixth century BC.
 

Shofars from rams' horns

Photo:  Gila Yudkin

Selection of shofars (rams horns)

 
8.  Choosing a shofar.  Are you considering buying a shofar -- or have you bought one already?  Here are some tips by expert shofar-blowers on how to eliminate the odor.
 
9.  Holy Land Jargon.  A dictionary of 13 expressions vital to understanding the nuances of a holy land pilgrimage.  This article distinguishes between a “traditional” site and an “authentic” site; explains a “Shabbat elevator”; and offers Bible references for the shekel, Israel’s unit of currency.
 

Orientation to the Old City | Nine Gates in Hebrew, English and Arabic

Learn the lyrics to Israel's most popular Folk Songs

"Let's see where the Priestly Benediction was found"

     

Archeologist Ehud Netzer by Herod's Sarcophagus

Shrine of the Book in Jerusalem houses the Isaiah scroll

Identifying a stampl impression at the 2008 Ramat Rahel dig

 
10.  Cleopatra.  The Queen of Egypt's liaison with Marc Antony threatened Herod the Great's possession of the lucrative plantations at Jericho and Ein Gedi and motivated him to build the Masada fortress.  This sage of Cleopatra debunks a number of myths about the notorious femme fatale.
 
11.  About Gila.  A revealing interview with Gila, encompassing why she became a guide, why Dan is her favorite Biblical site, the biggest surprise she arranged for a group and her most embarrassing moment on tour.
 

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"Holy Sites: Gila's Highlights"

 
12.  Charles Warren.  The adventures of Captain Charles Warren who explored “underground” Jerusalem from 1867 to 1870.  His insights and discoveries are pertinent to Biblical research to this very day.
 

Warren's Excavations near Robinson's Arch in Jerusalem

Wilson and Warren, The Recovery of Jerusalem

Warren’s excavations near Robinson’s Arch 1867-1870

 
Newest articles

 

Discovery at Herod's Tomb:  After 3 decades, Archeologist Ehud Netzer finally found Herod's Tomb at Herodion, the cone-shaped mount 7 miles south of Jerusalem.  An itsgila exclusive:  a photo of the sarcophagus of Herod found on site.
 
Ramat Rahel 2008 highlights:  Latest surprise archeological discoveries at the Tel Ramat Rahel dig.
 
Archeology:  Dads, kids and even a granddad share their highlights at the Ramat Rahel dig July-August 2008.
 

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HOLY LAND HEADLINERS HOLY SITES: GILA'S HIGHLIGHTS
PILGRIMS TALK SONGS & PRAISE TIPS FOR TOURS  
ABOUT GILA
CONTACT


GILA YUDKIN TCHERNIKOVSKI 64A JERUSALEM ISRAEL
EMAIL: gila@itsgila.com


 

Copyright © 2005-2008 Gila Yudkin. All rights reserved.
Holy Land Photography by Gila Yudkin