Massada

We boarded the bus to the Dead Sea area of Israel. We recited morning prayer while we traveled and learned the history and terrain of the area. The plateau of Masada, a National Park, is located on the eastern fringe of the Judean Desert near the shore of the Dead Sea between En Gedi and Sodom. Its remote location and natural defenses transformed it into a fortress. King Herod (40-4BC) constructed palaces and fortifications as a desert retreat. In AD 66 the Zealots captured Masada from the Romans at the start of the First Jewish Revolt. Eventually the Romans besieged Masada with 15,000 men while the Jewish Zealots and families numbered 967. When the Romans breached the wall of the western mountainside, they found everyone dead, except for one woman and her children. All others chose death over defeat and dishonor. A potent symbol for the state and people of Israel, Israeli soldiers are sworn in here with the words, “Masada shall not fall again.” Although most visitors reach the mountain top by cable-car with magnificent views, two of our younger pilgrims chose to hike the Snake Path to the top in record time.