Today we had the opportunity to go and visit Qumran and the Dead Sea. Qumran is a vast valley by the Dead Sea surrounded by a mountain chain, and it was the center of a Jewish sect of the Second Temple period known as the Essenes. This community was dedicated to prayer and the study of the Scriptures. Also, it seems they were very concerned about purification because archeological excavations found several of what appear to be baths for purification.
It was in some of the natural caves of this mountain chain where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. They were discovered in 1947 by a Bedouin shepherdboy chasing a stray sheep (or goat). It is said that he threw a rock into one of the caves and heard the cracking sound of a jar. Inside the jar, there were several scrolls. Eventually many more scrolls were found that have deepened our understanding of the Bible and shed light on the histories of Judaism and Christianity. “Among the texts are parts of every book of the Hebrew canon—what Christians call the Old Testament—except the book of Esther because it does not mention the name of YWHY at all. The scrolls also contain a collection of previously unknown hymns, prayers, commentaries, mystical formulas and the earliest version of the Ten Commandments. Most were written between 200 B.C. and the period prior to the failed Jewish revolt to gain political and religious independence from Rome that lasted from A.D. 66 to 70—predating by 8 to 11 centuries the oldest previously known Hebrew text of the Jewish Bible.” (taken from www.smithsonianmag.com) Nowadays, these scrolls are kept in the Israel museum.
It was in some of the natural caves of this mountain chain where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. They were discovered in 1947 by a Bedouin shepherdboy chasing a stray sheep (or goat). It is said that he threw a rock into one of the caves and heard the cracking sound of a jar. Inside the jar, there were several scrolls. Eventually many more scrolls were found that have deepened our understanding of the Bible and shed light on the histories of Judaism and Christianity. “Among the texts are parts of every book of the Hebrew canon—what Christians call the Old Testament—except the book of Esther because it does not mention the name of YWHY at all. The scrolls also contain a collection of previously unknown hymns, prayers, commentaries, mystical formulas and the earliest version of the Ten Commandments. Most were written between 200 B.C. and the period prior to the failed Jewish revolt to gain political and religious independence from Rome that lasted from A.D. 66 to 70—predating by 8 to 11 centuries the oldest previously known Hebrew text of the Jewish Bible.” (taken from www.smithsonianmag.com) Nowadays, these scrolls are kept in the Israel museum.
After visiting Qumran, we went to the Dead Sea, the lowest part on the Earth (1400 ft. below sea level). It was a great time to take a break in the midst of our pilgrimage and studies to relax while floating on that salty water (9 times as salty as the ocean). Unfortunately, this sea is disappearing. Scientists say it loses around 3 ft. of water per year. Again, we give thanks to all those who make possible this enriching experience. God bless you all!
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