Israel Active

Over a quarter of a million volunteers from 250 localities removed litter across the country on International Cleanup Day. Organizer KKL-JNF’s chairman Efi Stenzler said, “By respecting the environment we also show our respect for other people, and we all want our country to be clean and beautiful.”

Gordon Robertson’s video for CBN.com explores the ruins of the palace of King David and the wall of King Solomon in Jerusalem from 1000 BCE. Dr Eilat Mazar of the Hebrew University describes how current excavations continually confirm the text of the Book of Kings.

The blessing of the Cohanim (priests) during the festival of Sukkot (Tabernacles) was a spectacular event.

Jewish and non-Jewish men, women and children from more than 30 countries gathered in solidarity to march in Jerusalem’s annual Succot Parade. Thousands also visited the succa (booth) of President Peres, which featured colorful carpets, unusual fruit, flower and vegetable displays.

Immediately following Sukkot (Tabernacles) is the Jewish festival of Simchat Torah (Rejoicing of the Law) when Jews celebrate the completion and re-starting of the weekly Synagogue reading of the Torah. During and after the festival, Israelis took to the streets to celebrate with dancing and music.

Efraim Inbar, Professor of political studies at Bar-Ilan University, writes about security, economy, society, democracy and international relations and concludes, “At age sixty-five, Israel is a great success story, and if it can continue to inculcate the Zionist ethos into new generations, its future looks bright.”

(Thanks to Israel21c and Hebrew U) The world is losing its coral reefs due to vital algae being expelled when water temperatures rise. However a “warm-water barrier” at the southern Red Sea, allows in only heat-tolerant genotypes of corals to the Gulf of Eilat.

Over 5,000 Christian pilgrims from around 100 nations will take part in the International Christian Embassy in Jerusalem's (ICEJ) annual Feast of Tabernacles this week. The festival is the largest annual tourist event in Israel.

Sukkot / Tabernacles is the most inclusive of Jewish festivals. The Sukkah (booth) itself can be of infinite width, in order to accommodate as many people who wish to celebrate. And in Israel, the last time we saw more representations from nations of the world, was in King Solomon’s time.

In summer excavations 50 meters from Temple Mount, Hebrew University of Jerusalem archaeologist Dr. Eilat Mazar discovered 36 gold Byzantine coins, jewelry, and a 7th century gold medallion depicting a menorah (Temple candelabrum), a shofar (ram’s horn) and a Torah scroll. As Dr Mazar says “At Rosh Hashana, it’s the best gift we could get”.