After moving to my new apartment, it took almost two weeks to get back on the internet. This caused the delay in posting new photos. Above is a clock on King George Street in Jerusalem at a very busy location and bus stop. Normally you just think it is pretty architecture. However, when you look at Mark 5:41-42 closely notice what the Lord Jesus says in Aramaic "Then He took the child by the hand, and said to her, “Talitha, cumi,” which is translated, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.” Immediately the girl arose and walked, for she was twelve years of age. And they were overcome with great amazement." For the thousands of people that pass by this clock daily, it's as if the Lord Jesus is saying to Jerusalem and Israel, "Arise, little girl".
Below is a very unique intersection in Jerusalem at King George Street and Jaffa Road. This photo was taken before 8:00am one Friday morning on the way to work. Notice all the white lines in the street signifying a crosswalk. At this intersection when it is the pedestrians turn to walk all traffic actually stops. Then the pedestrians can walk in 12 different directions including NE-to-SW, SE-to-NW, etc. It's quite something to see. My new bus stop is 3-4 blocks uphill from this intersection so I go through it everyday.
Below is an example of everyone crossing at a busier time around 11:00am Sunday. Between 6:00pm and 7:00pm when you are going to the buses, everyone meets in the middle.
Below is the roundabout (traffic circle) where I get off the bus in the neighborhood called East Talpiot. It's decorated very nicely with some fresh flowers and young olive trees.
Below looking the other direction through the roundabout is the schwarma and falafel cafe that I visit about once a week. Three young men run it and have fun trying to speak to me in English.
Below is the little grocery store where I shop. Since it's Saturday (Shabbat) when I'm taking the picture, it is closed. Not as big a selection as the other store on Bet Lehem Road, but it's bseder (ok). Looks like it might have been a gas station many years ago.
Below if you zoom in the middle you will see a white building which is Ramat Rachel where I go to congregation on Saturday mornings. The congregation does not have it's own building but rents from Kibbutz Ramat Rachel. We actually meet in the cafeteria. This morning I took a taxi to kehilah (congregation) but I walked back. It took about 40 minutes. I followed the streets not cutting across the hills as shown in the photo.
Below is the Ramat Rachel Hotel which the Kibbutz runs. Ramat Rachel is named for the wife that Jacob loved who died near here giving birth to Benjamin, the last of the 12 sons. So Rachel died and was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem). And Jacob set a pillar on her grave, which is the pillar of Rachel’s grave to this day. Genesis 35:19-20. And Jacob adds to the story when he is getting ready to bless Joseph's two sons, Ephraim and Manassah: But as for me, when I came from Padan, Rachel died beside me in the land of Canaan on the way, when there was but a little distance to go to Ephrath; and I buried her there on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem).” Genesis 48:7. Rachel, the one Jacob loved, only had two sons, Joseph and Benjamin. You can see Jacob's affection for the two of them in Genesis. When Joseph had risen to power in Eqypt a lot of his concern for Benjamin's safety would be because he was his little brother. Joseph had to be young when his mother, Rachel, died giving birth. Rachel's Tomb is still there today close to the border crossing from Jerusalem to Bethlehem.
Below is Bet Lehem (Bethlehem) as seen from Ramat Rachel. The birthplace of the Lord Jesus. This was the prophecy from Micah. “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Though you are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, From everlasting.” Micah 5:2. This is the fulfillment of that prophecy. Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him. Matthew 2:1-2. The barren hills around Bethlehem are known as Shepherd's Fields. Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Luke 2:9. Ruth would have been "gleaning" in the same fields when she met Boaz. And Ruth was the great-grandmother of King David. Book of Ruth.
Below is a "hoopah" (chupah) or wedding canopy overlooking Bet Lehem in the background. Ramat Rachel must rent out wedding parties. It would be a pretty location.
Below are some flowers around Ramat Rachel. I believe Kay used to call these "baby's breath"?
Below is just a sign welcoming a tour group from Sar-El Tours. If you zoom in, at the top it says "Serving the Traditional and Evangelical Christian World." I was impressed.
Below is a cat wandering around the flower garden at Ramat Rachel. Cats run wild in Israel.
Below many times you see cats around the dumpsters scrounging for food. Sometimes when you toss in a plastic sack of trash you hear a rustling sound like someone is going to throw the trash back at you. But then a cat comes scrambling out.
Below just sitting on a park bench on Saturday afternoon, 3 or 4 cats passed by so I finally took a picture of one. Cat lovers would have a field day taking pictures. Many are very beautiful but wild. If you tried to pet one you would probably find out why they are kin to lions and tigers.
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