Indulgence in Israel
Nearly ten years ago I had been forced to end another basketball season in Ireland due to ankle injury. To put it lightly, I was frustrated and needed to escape. Time was of the essence, so after a few stops around Europe I made a push towards the Holy Land. That one-way ticket turned into a month of opportunities to indulge in Israel.
Commencement of the indulgence was a Passover holiday encompassing a seven day stretch of world class eating. Progression of my indulgence was the timeless exposure to the most significant Biblical sites bridged to my faith. Climax to all indulgences was a month long party parade around the cities of Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and Eilat.
Israel had been on my radar for a while, but fear of the unknown kept me reluctant for years. It was just too hard to ignore media sensationalism of the regional conflict. Over time a little deductive reasoning prompted my impulses to shake the dice. I understand the severity of what was and still is happening there, but I also have a solid grasp that the violent hostilities are particular to concentrated areas.
My good friend Roei had invited me to come hang with his friends and family in Jerusalem. He and I met a few times in both Cyprus and Northern Ireland while working with a non-profit organization. For two guys who love playing basketball and having a good time, the friendship stuff was easy.
The Passover
Fortuitous timing provided me the unique experience of celebrating the Passover with Roei and his family. This is the week-long Jewish holiday commemorating their exodus from slavery in Egypt. Although Roei is the furthest thing from a devout Jew, we spent those seven days sharing stories, meals, and traditions as many around the world do.
Why indulge in Israel? Yarmulke and all, I will truly never forget how good the food was. The family’s Moroccan descent inspired a blend of spice and sweet unfamiliar to my Caucasian palate. Im telling you, these women cooked up some magic!
Old City | Jerusalem
Most of Jerusalem’s visitors flock to the Old City, especially if the tour is a religious pilgrimage. Within these walls lie many holy sites of perpetually debated relevance for the Jews, Muslims, and Christians.
The Old City is comprised of four quarters including the Armenian, Muslim, Jewish, and Christian. The surrounding walls of the district maintain seven gates of entry. Over two-thirds of the Old City population identify as Muslim.
Church of The Holy Sepulchre
Within the Christian Quarter you can find one of the most important sites in Christianity. The significance of the Church of The Holy Sepulchre is based in its orientation with the crucifixion, as well as the tomb for burial and resurrection of Jesus. I’d say that’s a solid reason to indulge in Israel.
The intense emotion is inescapable as you step inside. Dozens of visitors gather around waiting for their moment to finally connect their faith with the tangible emblems of Jesus Christ’s story.
It’s believed that Jesus’ body was prepared for burial at The Stone of Anointing. Believers approach the stone on their knees in sign of respect and unimaginable gratitude for the One who gave His life. The tomb where Jesus’ body was laid to rest is housed inside the Edicule.
The Western Wall
As a surprising minority within the Old City walls, there are only upwards of 3,000 Jews living in the Jewish Quarter. You wouldn’t know it after a walk to Judaism’s most highly regarded Western Wall. Apparently this is the only remaining section of a more ancient temple of Jerusalem which was earlier destroyed by the Romans.
The wall is sacred to Jews for prayer and thankfulness. The teary eyed followers migrate from every corner of the earth to lament at the aptly deemed “Wailing Wall”. It is common to see paper prayers stuffed in between the cracks with intent to reach the divine presence that is believed to dwell within the wall.
Muslim Quarter
Unable to visit the shiny golden Dome of The Rock, I spent most of my time wandering the Muslim Quarter for all the good food and souvenirs. If you’re a hummus fan, keep the eyes open and the stomach willing. Indulge in Israel.
The knockout combination of mashed chickpeas, lemon, sesame, and garlic is best devoured with a healthy finish of olive oil. This isn’t your grocery store hummus people, this is the holy grail of hummus. Do not leave J-Town without it.
After stuffing your face it’s time to find dessert. Trust me, you don’t want to skip on these either. Some of my favorites include halva and baklava, but you can find an even wider range of options by wandering the Arab Souk.
Outside The Old City Walls
When you’ve had your fill of the Old City, be sure to explore the surrounding areas. There are some fantastic markets including the Machane Yehuda, where over 250 vendors are more than willing to negotiate a bargain price.
Garden of Gethsemane
To the east of the Old City you’ll find several more important sites of the Christian faith. The Garden of Gethsemane is the place where Jesus wept and prayed, knowing He would eventually be betrayed by one of his disciples. Today there is a beautiful Catholic church beside the garden.
Mount of Olives
Just above the garden is the Mount of Olives. This hill was the stage for several monumental events detailed in the Bible, most notably Jesus’ ascension into heaven after the resurrection. Today the area serves as a highly sought after burial site for the Jews, currently maintaining over 150,000 graves.
The Dead Sea
You can reach the lowest place on earth with just an hour drive from Jerusalem. While named the Dead Sea, it is actually a salt lake lying between Jordan, Israel, and the Palestinian territory of the West Bank. The “Dead Lake” is identified as such because the salinity is so potent that only microorganisms stand a chance to live.
At 1300 feet below sea level, visitors flock the massive lake to plaster themselves with nutrient rich clay and float away in its unique buoyancy. The mineral rich deposits are exported and sold at high prices for skincare products all over the world. You know what that means…you truly can indulge in Israel from anywhere.
Indulge in Israeli Nightlife
I don’t know if I can speak for all of the country, but the Israelis I hung out with love to party! Whether it be sharing laughs over a good meal or the subsequent dancing from an unconscionable Arak influx, the vibe is “Sababa“.
In the month spent, I can’t remember more than a handful of nights that didn’t involve a party. Although Tel Aviv is more commonly known as the party destination, you can still have a great time in Jerusalem. Is it any surprise that we did both?
Some places are revered most by the attractions seen and the food devoured, but Israel will always remind me of the friends I made. Happy. Selfless. Direct. But most importantly, they were genuine.
