Sunday, June 28, 2009
A note on the weekend
It just occurred to me that I should explain about the weekend here. The Muslim holy day is Friday, the Jewish Sabbath is Saturday, and the Christian holy day is Sunday (for many Christians here). In general, however, the work week is Sunday-Thursday or Friday. Everything shuts down for the Jewish Shabbat. So, the Biblical Language Center decided to follow a Monday-Friday work week, to allow us to have time to be able to actually see something on our days off.
Another Weekend in Israel
I can't believe it's been so long since my last post! The days seem to go buy so fast!
On Friday, we ended the week with communion, and recited Hebrew blessings as we did so. My roommate and I took it easy Friday night, on the grounds that we had worked hard all week. So, no studying on Friday night!
Yesterday, we went to the Narkis Street Congregation in Jerusalem. It was fun to participate in a Bible study there. I've never been to a Bible study where people were quoting or referring to Hebrew, Greek, modern commentators, and ancient rabbinical commentators like Rashi. I don't think I'm in Kansas anymore! You can check out the website for the church here.
From there, we went into the Old City. (As an aside, I've been pretty good about exercising regularly since I've been here. Yesterday was a day off, so I "only" walked about 5 miles throughout the day!) We went to the Western Wall, a portion of the wall of the Temple dating back to the time of Christ. Since it was Shabbat, we couldn't take pictures there, but we were able to go pray at the wall and watch the Talmud scholars and others come and go.
After that we went to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, a church built over the traditional sites of Jesus' crucifixion and burial (and, therefore, the resurrection). As a Westerner, it was hard for me to fully appreciate the site (I thought this the last time I was there as well), since it is covered over with a church. Though the site was once outside the city walls, it is now in the midst of the city and the hill is contained within the church building. On top of that, the church itself is very elaborate in its decoration, which is fitting to commemorate the significant events that took place there, but it is hard to me to fully appreciate.
Today was spent studying. We are working on Ruth 2 and Numbers 25 tomorrow, so I read through those and made sure I understood what was going on with the Hebrew in them. We are also memorizing the Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4-9) in Hebrew, so I worked on that as well. Here is a recording of it being recited (not by me!). I'm looking forward to diving in to another week, and continuing to make progress!
On Friday, we ended the week with communion, and recited Hebrew blessings as we did so. My roommate and I took it easy Friday night, on the grounds that we had worked hard all week. So, no studying on Friday night!
Yesterday, we went to the Narkis Street Congregation in Jerusalem. It was fun to participate in a Bible study there. I've never been to a Bible study where people were quoting or referring to Hebrew, Greek, modern commentators, and ancient rabbinical commentators like Rashi. I don't think I'm in Kansas anymore! You can check out the website for the church here.
From there, we went into the Old City. (As an aside, I've been pretty good about exercising regularly since I've been here. Yesterday was a day off, so I "only" walked about 5 miles throughout the day!) We went to the Western Wall, a portion of the wall of the Temple dating back to the time of Christ. Since it was Shabbat, we couldn't take pictures there, but we were able to go pray at the wall and watch the Talmud scholars and others come and go.
After that we went to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, a church built over the traditional sites of Jesus' crucifixion and burial (and, therefore, the resurrection). As a Westerner, it was hard for me to fully appreciate the site (I thought this the last time I was there as well), since it is covered over with a church. Though the site was once outside the city walls, it is now in the midst of the city and the hill is contained within the church building. On top of that, the church itself is very elaborate in its decoration, which is fitting to commemorate the significant events that took place there, but it is hard to me to fully appreciate.
Today was spent studying. We are working on Ruth 2 and Numbers 25 tomorrow, so I read through those and made sure I understood what was going on with the Hebrew in them. We are also memorizing the Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4-9) in Hebrew, so I worked on that as well. Here is a recording of it being recited (not by me!). I'm looking forward to diving in to another week, and continuing to make progress!
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Near the Plains of Moab
Our studies continue to be exciting and interesting. Today, we journeyed to the Dead Sea. Though we enjoyed a bit of swimming (floating, actually), the main point was to continue our reading of Ruth and other texts.
From our location near the Dead Sea, we were right across from Mount Nebo, the location referred to in Deuteronomy 34, which says:
It was also on the שׂדי מוֹאב (Plains of Moab) that Elimelech, Naomi, Mahlon, and Kilion lived after leaving Bethlehem during a famine (Ruth 1). Ruth, a Moabite woman, married into this family and returned to Bethlehem with her mother-in-law after the men died. The rest, as they say, is history!
We also read the Mesha Stele, an inscription by a Moabite king describing his defeat of the Israelites in the time of the Israelite king Omri (9th century BC).
It is an amazing thing to read of these things while seeing where they took place. Experiencing the land gives an opportunity to better understand the text, and appreciate the realities of life for the people described in Scripture.
From our location near the Dead Sea, we were right across from Mount Nebo, the location referred to in Deuteronomy 34, which says:
“Then Moses climbed Mount Nebo from the plains of Moab to the top of Pisgah, across from Jericho. There the LORD showed him the whole land—from Gilead to Dan, all of Naphtali, the territory of Ephraim and Manasseh, all the land of Judah as far as the Mediterranean Sea, the Negev and the whole region from the Valley of Jericho, the City of Palms, as far as Zoar. Then the LORD said to him, “This is the land I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob when I said, ‘I will give it to your descendants.’ I have let you see it with your eyes, but you will not cross over into it.”It was also on the Plains of Moab that the book of Deuteronomy was first presented to the people, prior to Moses' death on the opposite side of the Jordan. In the picture below, you can see a green(ish) peak, which is Mount Nebo. (It was pretty hazy, so it is hard to see clearly.) The Plains of Moab are in front of this peak, extending to the north (left). The crossing of the Jordan took place just north of where this picture was taken, near Jericho.
And Moses the servant of the LORD died there in Moab, as the LORD had said. He buried him in Moab, in the valley opposite Beth Peor, but to this day no one knows where his grave is.” (Deut 34:1-6 TNIV)
It was also on the שׂדי מוֹאב (Plains of Moab) that Elimelech, Naomi, Mahlon, and Kilion lived after leaving Bethlehem during a famine (Ruth 1). Ruth, a Moabite woman, married into this family and returned to Bethlehem with her mother-in-law after the men died. The rest, as they say, is history!
We also read the Mesha Stele, an inscription by a Moabite king describing his defeat of the Israelites in the time of the Israelite king Omri (9th century BC).
It is an amazing thing to read of these things while seeing where they took place. Experiencing the land gives an opportunity to better understand the text, and appreciate the realities of life for the people described in Scripture.
Dinner out
A few of us enjoyed a 2-mile hike to the local mall, where we were able to enjoy dinner out.
Getting into the mall was interesting in itself. There is a security checkpoint similar to those at an airport. There is a metal detector, and all bags are searched. (I would have posted a picture of it, but the security guard told me it was forbidden.) It is a little unsettling at first, but then nice to know that things are safe.
After getting inside, it was like being at any American mall. Many of the same brands were on offer, though there were some Israeli chains and brands.
I ate dinner at a familiar-yet-different place:
It was the first kosher ביג מק (Big Mac) I've ever eaten -- no cheese!
Getting into the mall was interesting in itself. There is a security checkpoint similar to those at an airport. There is a metal detector, and all bags are searched. (I would have posted a picture of it, but the security guard told me it was forbidden.) It is a little unsettling at first, but then nice to know that things are safe.
After getting inside, it was like being at any American mall. Many of the same brands were on offer, though there were some Israeli chains and brands.
I ate dinner at a familiar-yet-different place:
It was the first kosher ביג מק (Big Mac) I've ever eaten -- no cheese!
Food, glorious food
The food here at Kibbutz Tzuba is really quite good. The dining room is kosher, so there is never meat and dairy products together, but there is a great variety of choices and it is well prepared.
Breakfast usually consists of cheese, yogurt, bread, olives (of course!), and sometimes eggs. There is also good, strong Turkish coffee to get the day started right. There is fish available as well, though I haven't had it every morning.
At lunch, we can choose from one of about 5 choices of meat dishes, plus rice, pita bread and hummous, olives (of course!), and salads. Everything has been excellent.
The program I am on includes two meals, so dinner is usually pretty light: cereal, cheese, meat, and crackers.
I'm not starving!
Breakfast usually consists of cheese, yogurt, bread, olives (of course!), and sometimes eggs. There is also good, strong Turkish coffee to get the day started right. There is fish available as well, though I haven't had it every morning.
At lunch, we can choose from one of about 5 choices of meat dishes, plus rice, pita bread and hummous, olives (of course!), and salads. Everything has been excellent.
The program I am on includes two meals, so dinner is usually pretty light: cereal, cheese, meat, and crackers.
I'm not starving!
Monday, June 22, 2009
By the way...
Feel free to comment on the blog. I would love to hear from you, and answer any questions you may have.
This can be a conversation, not just a monologue!
This can be a conversation, not just a monologue!
Diving in
Class started yesterday morning, after an orientation the night before. It was an amazing experience. Over 95% of the class was conducted in biblical Hebrew. This includes taking attendance, discussion, and assigning homework. The instructors recounted the story of Ruth 1, introducing vocabulary and forms along the way.
Most interesting to me was the fact that they never reverted to English in explanations. If there was a word that any of us didn't understand, they would explain it in Hebrew. This, of course, is how we learn our native language, but it was fascinating to see how they do it in biblical Hebrew. The instructors, Brian and Aaron, are really good at teaching this way.
We also had opportunity to see how they taught the beginners. Some of the students have never had any Hebrew, and they are diving in to this immersion program. Their classroom was also over 90% Hebrew, and by the time we got there to observe (after a couple of hours of class) they already knew several words and were responding to commands. I am very interested to see how they progress.
I have already begun to identify things I need to incorporate in my own teaching (look out, incoming Hebrew students!). But having seen this pedagogical approach in action by people who are really good at it convinces me all the more that this is the direction we need to be going in teaching Hebrew.
Most interesting to me was the fact that they never reverted to English in explanations. If there was a word that any of us didn't understand, they would explain it in Hebrew. This, of course, is how we learn our native language, but it was fascinating to see how they do it in biblical Hebrew. The instructors, Brian and Aaron, are really good at teaching this way.
We also had opportunity to see how they taught the beginners. Some of the students have never had any Hebrew, and they are diving in to this immersion program. Their classroom was also over 90% Hebrew, and by the time we got there to observe (after a couple of hours of class) they already knew several words and were responding to commands. I am very interested to see how they progress.
I have already begun to identify things I need to incorporate in my own teaching (look out, incoming Hebrew students!). But having seen this pedagogical approach in action by people who are really good at it convinces me all the more that this is the direction we need to be going in teaching Hebrew.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Into Jerusalem
We made our way into Jerusalem today. We took a bus from Tzuba into the city, and from there we were to have taken another city bus to the Old City. Unfortunately, however, the bus drivers apparently thought we looked shady and didn't stop for us. Actually, they didn't stop for anyone, for some unknown reason. Someone (a resident of Jerusalem) said, "Things are different here."
So, we ended up walking about 5k to the Jaffa gate, where we met up with some friends Cami and I met the last time we were here in 1996. We had lunch together and then we explored the Old City a bit. Mostly this was just a reconnaissance mission for the next time we venture into the city.
Here are pictures of the Jaffa gate and a view of the wall of the Old City (click to enlarge).
So, we ended up walking about 5k to the Jaffa gate, where we met up with some friends Cami and I met the last time we were here in 1996. We had lunch together and then we explored the Old City a bit. Mostly this was just a reconnaissance mission for the next time we venture into the city.
Here are pictures of the Jaffa gate and a view of the wall of the Old City (click to enlarge).
Exploring Tzuba
We spent some time last evening exploring the kibbutz. Though we didn't get there yet, there is an archaeological site known as the "John the Baptist Cave," that purportedly is the oldest extrabiblical reference to John the Baptist.
We did, however, get to an old spring that was used for irrigation, and saw lots of orchards and other agriculture. One of the most interesting was seeing the way in which they farm on the terraces on the steep hillsides. I'll post pictures of that later, but for now here are some shots from our wandering.
We did, however, get to an old spring that was used for irrigation, and saw lots of orchards and other agriculture. One of the most interesting was seeing the way in which they farm on the terraces on the steep hillsides. I'll post pictures of that later, but for now here are some shots from our wandering.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Another view
As I mentioned below, a colleague from the COHELET project is with me on this adventure. He is blogging his experiences as well, so if you want to get his take on things (with maybe the occasional snide comment about me) you can read his blog here.
Friday, June 19, 2009
The Land in the Book and the Land out my window
I got up early this morning, and spent some time reading Scripture. I was reading in Deuteronomy where it says,
I was struck by the blessing of being able to read those words while sitting in the very land I was reading about. I looked up from my Bible and saw some of the very mountains this verse was talking about (in that they are in the land referred to). There is no rain, and there won't be while I am here, but it is an incredible experience to be here.
Here is a picture of the view from my balcony:
But the land you are crossing the Jordan to take possession of is a land of mountains and valleys that drinks rain from heaven. It is a land the LORD your God cares for; the eyes of the LORD your God are continually on it from the beginning of the year to its end.
I was struck by the blessing of being able to read those words while sitting in the very land I was reading about. I looked up from my Bible and saw some of the very mountains this verse was talking about (in that they are in the land referred to). There is no rain, and there won't be while I am here, but it is an incredible experience to be here.
Here is a picture of the view from my balcony:
Greetings from the Holy Land
After a long day of travel with some delay in Minneapolis, I made it to Israel. There were thunderstorms in New York that prevented me from arriving until after my connection to Tel Aviv was to have departed. Fortunately, the flight was delayed.
We took off about 5 hours late, which meant we arrived in Tel Aviv very close to the start of the Sabbath, when everything shuts down. We were able to get a taxi (and practice a bit of Hebrew with the driver) to Kibbutz Tzuba, and get into our room.
So, the adventure has begun! The language course will start tomorrow evening. In the meantime, my roommate (a colleague from the COHELET project) and I will explore the kibbutz and acclimate to the time difference. I'll post some pictures later as well.
We took off about 5 hours late, which meant we arrived in Tel Aviv very close to the start of the Sabbath, when everything shuts down. We were able to get a taxi (and practice a bit of Hebrew with the driver) to Kibbutz Tzuba, and get into our room.
So, the adventure has begun! The language course will start tomorrow evening. In the meantime, my roommate (a colleague from the COHELET project) and I will explore the kibbutz and acclimate to the time difference. I'll post some pictures later as well.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Kibbutz Tzuba
I leave on Thursday, and am frantically working to finalize things before I go. I thought you might be interested in seeing some pictures of where I will be staying. As you can see from the slide show, I won't be suffering, exactly (the real suffering will be missing my family!).
Check it out here.
Check it out here.
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