On Thursday, February 9, we hiked all the way to Sataf. In the beginning of the tiyul it was really foggy, but kind of gave off a majestic look. As we got there, Evan started explaining about the different types of trees that are found at Sataf. We learned about the seven species that are found in the Torah and are still here today: pomegranate, figs, wheat, barley, dates, grapes and olives. These were the foods that fed the Israelites as we settled the land. It was really interesting to learn about how our ancient ancestors survived.
The Israelites faced many challenges when entering Eretz Yisrael. One of the biggest challenges we faced was warfare, specifically with local Canaanite tribes such as the Philistines and others in Eretz Yisrael. The Israelites dealt with these challenges by following the lead of Joshua, who became leader after Moses died.
Before we could enter Eretz Yisrael, we needed to correct some of the ways we had gone astray while wandering in the desert for 40 years. For instance, we needed to have a mass Brit Milah as they had stopped this while in the desert. Another example of dealing with the challenges of entering Eretz Yisrael is when Am Yisrael or (the people of Israel) had to conquer the town of Jericho. We learned that we were able to do this with God’s help by marching around the wall and making the wall fall down. Joshua led the Israelites into the land with the help of God. It seems that Joshua was an expert military strategist.
Joshua was an amazing leader after serving Moses for 40 years. God ordered Joshua to take possession of the Promise Land and he obeyed. He was was humble, obedient, faithful, courageous, and always followed God’s instructions.
We were able to find water sources within the mountains, which helped with the terrace farming. This was a big transition for the people of Israel because before we had relied on manna from heaven and now had to become farmers. We also learned about Ba’al farming, which was agriculture that depends on rain. However, we also learned that sometimes the Jews would go astray and practice Avodah Zara and worship the Canaanite god.
The cave we went into at the end
Notable sites that we saw on this trip were the terraces where we grew our crops and the ancient water source. It was completely surreal to see the cave where our ancestors got their water from and actually drink it! I really enjoyed this tiyul. Two questions: What was your favorite part of the trip!? Do you think the stories that we learned about could also have actually happened?
My favorite part of the trip was going into the water cave. I am usually a little bit clastrophobic but I didn't mind the tight squeeze. I love adventuring into the mountain and drinking from the extremely pure and fresh spring.
ReplyDeleteAs far as the story about the people surrounding the city walls and blowing the walls down with shofars, that could not have happend. One shofar emits about 96 Decibels of sound, but you would need about 177 Decibels of sound to actually break the walls. Doubling the amount of trumpeters raises the sound by two decibels. Because of this, you would actually need about 134 million trumpeters to even come close to knocking down the wall!
My favorite part of the trip was going into the spring. It's crazy to think our ancestors found that spring themselves, thousands of years ago, and it's still producing water. I don't believe the Shofars could have knocked down the huge wall. Perhaps the walls where knocked down in another way, such as an earthquake, and because the people where not advanced enough in technology, they claimed it was from the shofars. Most likely it is just a story, though.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite part of the trip was when we just got to stop and take in the views. Looking at the almond trees and the massive terraces was really cool. I don't think the story about the walls of Jericho is entirely true. Like Eliana said, it's possible that the walls came down through something like an earthquake and people were just superstitious. But I do believe that it was difficult for groups like the Israelites to enter the land - I'm sure there were groups like Israelites and Phillistines who fought over land and worshiped idols.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite part of the tiyul was when we climbed into the cave. It was really interesting to be a part of and experience a location that meant so much to our ancestor's survival in a physical hands-on way. I don't believe the stories are entirely true, but may possibly embellish or come from real events. For example; its possible and even likely that there were power struggles between groups for lands that may have already been owned. However, I personally doubt one could take over by breaking walls via trumpet blowing. I also think it possible that some people may have strayed from monotheism, as it's a bit unrealistic to think mass entire groups all believed identical things.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite part of the tiyul was seeing the views as we walked along the terraces. It was really amazing to look out and see vast space filled with mountains, trees, and the sky. In addition to the natural wonders, it was interesting to see the modern buildings, such as Hadassah Hospital, in contrast with these ancient sites. To me, it really showed how cool it is that we still have the opportunity to appreciate our history, despite our progress. However, I don't entirely believe the entirety of the stories we learned. Yes, the walls coming down in some way, even by force, is very possible. Still, though, I do not believe that by blowing shofars the wall could collapse in reality.
ReplyDeleteJust like almost everyone else has said, my absolute favorite part of the tiyul was when we got to go into the cave. First of all, that water was so fresh and I actually enjoyed drinking it. But while we were inside I noticed something that I'd assume would generally be missed. I noticed that the roots of the trees above the cave had actually burst through the layers of rock that's been there for so long and it literally entwined man made structure, with nature and a natural spring. I also definitely believe that the stories were possible, especially the one about Baal. Avodah Zarah was clearly very prevalent and there's no reason to believe the Jews didn't stray from their beliefs.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite part of this tiyul was not only being able to see the cave from which they got their water, but seeing all of the fruit trees and feeling b like I was actually there. I completely believe these stories could have happened especially avodah Sarah.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite part of the trip was when we got to stand in the dark inside of the cave and listen to the flowing water that our ancestors dug to. I do believe that these stories could have been true. I think that the shofars could have created vibrations but not enough to cause the wall to fall down.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite part of the trip was going into the the cave, hearing the sound of the water flowing, and drinking the same source of water that our ancestries had drank from. From the amount of historicity that was found on the site, including the significant amount of terrace farming, I believe that the stories that was told on the trip was true. I think that the shofar story could have happen but it's been proven to be unrealistic for the vibration of the shofar to break a wall.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite part of the trip was getting to go in the water cave, and drinking the water from there. It was really cool to see how old the cave was, and how our ancestors made it. Personally, I don't think the stories are true, at least not completely. Some elements of the stories could be true but definitely not all of them.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite part of this tiyul was going into the water caves. It was very interesting to see how the people in this ancient time were able to find the resources to build this irrigation system. Ultimately, I consider these stories to actually have happened because all of the facts and historicity add up to the artifacts and things found at Sataf. The evidence of Ba'al farming correlates with the remains of what is their today.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite part was the hike and the views. I think the trip proved a lot of information on the ancient civilizations such as how they got their water and how they grew their food. While I do not believe the stories told on the trip from the bible, I think it is possible for the people mentioned to have existed. The stories also give insight into the minds of the people of those times.
ReplyDeleteHiking at Sataf was amazing. The atmosphere was really calming and the scenery was absolutely beautiful, especially seeing everything come into view through the fog. Being able to go inside the cave and stand there in the dark next to my friends was really intense, and helped me to further understand and connect to the lessons we were being taught about the importance of these landmarks. Everything we were taught about Ba'al Farming and terrace agriculture was so much easier to believe, appreciate, and understand after seeing everything for myself.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite part about this trip was going into the water spring and shutting off all the lights. It was so cool being in such a historical place with some of my closest friends, and being able to listen to the trickle of the water. It was such a calming, warm feeling. While some stories that we learn about are hard to believe, such as the blowing of the horns until the walls fall down, there are other ones that we could tell were true based off of the land. There was clear evidence of Ba'al and terrace farming, and the water spring made me feel connected to the people who lived there before and used the spring as their daily source of water.
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