FAITH – Holy Week 2012 – Jerusalem

12, 1012 or 2012?

Christian African pilgrims await the opening of the doors to the Holy Sepulchre Church on Good Friday. Jerusalem, Israel. 6-Apr-2012.

… and many more images of devoted pilgrims HERE

 

Believers at the Holy Sepulchre on Holy Thursday – Jerusalem

Archbishop Fouad Twal, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, arrives at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to lead services on Holy Thursday. Jerusalem, Israel. 5-Apr-2012.

A devoted nun kisses the Stone of Unction in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on Holy Thursday. Jerusalem, Israel. 5-Apr-2012.

Sunlight flows in from a window in the ceiling of the Rotunda, above praying nuns and priests, in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre during services on Holy Thursday. Jerusalem, Israel. 5-Apr-2012.

A man lights candles in worship in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre during services on Holy Thursday. Jerusalem, Israel. 5-Apr-2012.

A Busy Jerusalem Day…

Christians celebrate Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday at The Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the Coptic Chapel. Jerusalem, Israel. 1-Apr-2012.

Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Archbishop Fouad Twal (C), joins priests carrying palm branches in a Palm Sunday procession at The Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Jerusalem, Israel. 1-Apr-2012.

A group of South Sudanese refugees protests opposite the Prime Minister’s Residence as collective protection from deportation for South Sudanese expires today. Jerusalem District Court has issued an injunction forbidding deportation before April 15th. Jerusalem, Israel. 1-Apr-2012.

A group of South Sudanese refugees protests opposite the Prime Minister’s Residence as collective protection from deportation for South Sudanese expires today. Jerusalem District Court has issued an injunction forbidding deportation before April 15th. Jerusalem, Israel. 1-Apr-2012.

Thousands take part in Palm Sunday procession ascending from Gethsemane to the Lions’ Gate, carrying palm branches, singing ‘Hosanna to the Son of David’ and accompanied by musical instruments. Jerusalem, Israel. 1-Apr-2012.

Two nuns descend from the Mount of Olives in Palm Sunday procession carrying palm branches in celebration of Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Jerusalem, Israel. 1-Apr-2012.

 

And what did you do today?

 

Christians Flock The Holy Sepulchre on Ash Wednesday – Jerusalem

Thousands of Christian pilgrims and believers flock the Church of The Holy Sepulchre on Ash Wednesday. Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent, in Western Christianity, and occurs 46 days before Easter. The Church of The Holy Sepulchre was built in the fourth century over the site of a Roman Pagan temple. It is considered one of the world’s holiest shrines to Christians, preserving the most important moments of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Nuns among the thousands of Christian pilgrims and believers flocking the Church of The Holy Sepulchre on Ash Wednesday. Jerusalem, Israel. 22-Feb-2012.

A priest draws a cross on the forehead of a believer as thousands of Christian pilgrims flock the Church of The Holy Sepulchre on Ash Wednesday. Jerusalem, Israel. 22-Feb-2012.

A woman worships in silence as thousands of Christian pilgrims and believers flock the Church of The Holy Sepulchre on Ash Wednesday. Jerusalem, Israel. 22-Feb-2012.

A woman prays silently holding a candle by the Edicule as thousands of Christian pilgrims and believers flock the Church of The Holy Sepulchre on Ash Wednesday. Jerusalem, Israel. 22-Feb-2012.

More here: Images Of My Thoughts . com

Celebrating the Eighth Night of Chanukah – Jerusalem

A young lady lights a chanukkiah, an eight-branched menorah, on the eighth and last night of the holiday of Chanukah. Jerusalem, Israel. 27th December 2011.

A young lady lights a chanukkiah, an eight-branched menorah, on the eighth and last night of the holiday of Chanukah. Jerusalem, Israel. 27th December 2011.

Ethiopian Jews Celebrate The Sigd – Jerusalem

The Ethiopian Jewish community, called Beta-Israel, lived in seclusion for over 1,000 years, only reconnecting to the Jewish world in the late 20th century. According to Ethiopian tradition, their roots go back 3,000 years to the era of King Solomon. Like their brethren in many parts of the world, Ethiopian Jews suffered persecution for their beliefs and refusal to adopt Christianity. In the Middle Ages their lands were confiscated, villages plundered and many murdered. They were nicknamed Falash – intruders, homeless and without property. Despite the hardships, this community preserved their traditions with great devotion and generations were educated on the value of yearning for a return to Jerusalem, The Holy City, home of The Temple, pure and holy. The Sigd celebrations, Sigd meaning “to bow or prostate oneself”, convey their love and yearning for Jerusalem.

Traditionally the celebrations took place on a hilltop looking toward Jerusalem,signifying a renewal of the bond with God. Now, with a community of over 150,000 in Israel the main event takes place annually at the Sherover Promenade in Jerusalem, overlooking The Temple Mount.Thousands followed the Kessim, the religious leaders, and gathered in the late morning hours in colorful traditional garments or in whites signifying purity, to pray and give thanks. Guests of honor included Minister of Immigrant Absorption, Ms. Sofa Landver and Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat.

The yearning for Jerusalem has become a reality. Israeli-born offspring to Ethiopian Jews are finding it more and more difficult to identify with the aspirations of their forefathers. First signs are evident that this ancient ethnic celebration of hope and faith might one day be forgotten.

All Night Dance Party at Bar Yochai’s Grave

Three year old boys are given their first haircut - Halaka - at the gravesite of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai. Meron, Israel. 22/05/2011.

Click the pic for full story!

High Alert at Bab El-Amud

With threats of a 3rd Intifada getting hundreds of thousands of "Likes" on Facebook and the Palestinian Yom Al-Naqba (Day of Catastrophe) coming up on May 15th, Jerusalem Police on high alert at Bab Al-Amud Damascus Gate. Jerusalem, Israel. 13/05/2011.

A young Palestinian boy among worshipers being screened by Israel Police for Friday prayers at Al-Aqsa Mosque. Jerusalem, Israel. 13/05/2011.

Palestinian woman at Bab Al-Amud Damascus Gate. Jerusalem, Israel. 13/05/2011.

Click the pics for details!

Heroism and Pain

A guard of homor of IDF Paratroopers at a ceremony on the Mount of Olives on Memorial Day. Jerusalem, Israel. 09/05/2011.

IDF Paratroopers inspect their weapons for live rounds following a Memorial Day Ceremony on Mount of Olives overlooking the city.

Click the pics for the full story!

Faces of Believers

Christian pilgrims attend Good Friday at The Church of The Holy Sepulchre. Jerusalem, Israel. 22/04/2011.

Click the pic!

Purim at The Kotel

Thousands celebrate Purim at the Western Wall. Jerusalem, Israel. 21/03/2011.

For more ‘click the pic’.

 

Int’l Women’s Day

Benny Gantz

New IDF Chief of Staff, Benny Gantz, Prays for Devine Support at The Kotel. Jerusalem, Israel. 14/02/2011.

More HERE

Women Of The Wall Welcome Month of Shevat

 

And one used in The Telegraph:

Even if it doesn’t help, it won’t hurt!

Hundreds gathered this afternoon, on the 22nd day of the Jewish month of Kislev in the year 5771, at the Wailing Wall for a mass prayer for rain, following a day of fast called upon by Chief Rabbis of Israel.

Services at the Kotel were lead by Rabbi Shlomo Moshe Amar, HaRishon LeTzion, Chief Rabbi of Sephardi Jews and President of The Great Rabbinical Court and silver horns were sounded. Yesterday, Rabbi Amar sent a plea to the worldwide Jewish community to join the fast and prayer, writing “We must gather and shout out to the Creator of the universe to have mercy and compassion on his people Israel, and His mercies are abundant.”

According to statistical data provided by the Israel Meteorological Service to date there has only been 5mm of rainfall on a nationwide average, which is only about 7% of the rainfall last year at this time and only 1% of the multi-year seasonal average.

In spite of the prayers forecasters are predicting at least another ten dry days.

Yom Kippur, 5771

Just ahead of Yom Kippur religious Jews undergo flogging preserving ancient customs. Jerusalem, Israel. 17/09/2010

Just a few hours ahead of Yom Kippur religious Jews perform Kapparot. Jerusalem, Israel. 17/09/2010.

A young man watching a traditional butcher sacrificing hens in the Jewish tradition of Kapparot. Jerusalem, Israel. 17/09/2010.

A young girl in awe watching a traditional butcher sacrificing hens in the Jewish tradition of Kapparot. Jerusalem, Israel. 17/09/2010.

Yom Hazikaron

Just a few hours before Israel’s 62nd Independence Day celebrations begin, the nation united today in mourning and remembrance of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. Families and friends of 22,684 fallen soldiers and terror victims assembled in cemeteries throughout the country to pay their respects as a two-minute air-raid siren shattered the silence and pierced the heart and the soul.

Yearning for Jerusalem No More

The Ethiopian Jewish community, called Beta-Israel, lived in seclusion for over 1,000 years, only reconnecting to the Jewish world in the late 20th century. According to Ethiopian tradition, their roots go back 3,000 years to the era of King Solomon. Like their brethren in many parts of the world, Ethiopian Jews suffered persecution for their beliefs and refusal to adopt Christianity. In the Middle Ages their lands were confiscated, villages plundered and many murdered. They were nicknamed Falash – intruders, homeless and without property. Despite the hardships, this community preserved their traditions with great devotion and generations were educated on the value of yearning for a return to Jerusalem, The Holy City, home of The Temple, pure and holy. The Sigd celebrations, Sigd meaning “to bow or prostate oneself”, convey their love and yearning for Jerusalem.

Traditionally the celebrations took place on a hilltop looking toward Jerusalem,signifying a renewal of the bond with God. Now, with a community of over 150,000 in Israel the main event takes place annually at the Sherover Promenade in Jerusalem, overlooking The Temple Mount.Thousands followed the Kessim, the religious leaders, and gathered in the late morning hours in colorful traditional garments or in whites signifying purity, to pray and give thanks. Guests of honor included Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat.

The yearning for Jerusalem has become a reality. Israeli-born offspring to Ethiopian Jews are finding it more and more difficult to identify with the aspirations of their forefathers. First signs are evident that this ancient ethnic celebration of hope and faith might one day be forgotten.

The 35mm f/2 was a pleasure to work with! Light and extremely mobile hanging on my neck – I could easily raise it quickly to get the shot I wanted without scaring off the subject. Some shots were even framed from the chest. I love the shallow depth of field! Most of the work was done at f2.5 ISO100 with very high shutter speeds.  Close and intimate!

nir

5769 years ago…

And God said: ‘Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days and years; and let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth.’ And it was so. And God made the two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night; and the stars. And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth, and to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness; and God saw that it was good. And there was evening and there was morning, a fourth day.

8-April-2009, Jerusalem – Thousands gathered at the Wailing Wall before dawn awaiting sunrise to recite: “Blessed are You, LORD, our God, King of the Universe who makes the works of Creation.”

The Blessing of the Sun, Birkat Hachamah in Hebrew, is recited in Judaism once in twenty-eight years, signifying the sun’s location at exactly that of the moment of its creation on a Wednesday morning, the fourth day of creation. The 28-year cycle was calculated in the Babylonian Talmud and it was renewed today. Adding to the excitement is the fact that today is the Eve of the Jewish holiday of Passover celebrating the exodus of the ancient Hebrews, led by Moses, from bondage in Egypt – a sun cycle began on the exact morning of exodus from Egypt somewhere between the years 1200-1500 BCE (exact date is disputed).

Much anticipation was evident among the worshippers, men, women and children assembled hours before the big moment. Then, just as the sun became visible to the east, climbing over the Wailing Wall which is the last remaining remnant of the Holy Temple, it triggered great excitement, prayer, dance and song among the crowd.

The Blessing of the Sun