Jewish history

Yesterday's trip out was mainly to two sites. The first is known as the tomb of the patriarchs in Hebron, or the mosque al-Ibrihim. After that, we went to one of King Herod the Greats many castles, Herodion. It was a site where Jewish rebels later staged their resistance to Roman occupation. About the mosque/synagogue dedicated to the patriarchs. This was a place where one could sense the tension between Moslems and Jews. The site is especially sacred to Jews because it is the tomb of Rachel, wife of Jacob and the mother of all Jews. Yet, since the end of the Crusader period, the building, dating from the time of Herod just before Christ, has been used as a mosque. It was my first time in a mosque as well as in a synagogue. We were lucky, being allowed to visit both the Jewish and the Muslim sides. Israeli security control both entrances, even though Hebron is a Palestinian city. The situation reflects of course that the Israelis are in full military control. Also, it reflects some tragic violence that has taken place at that sight in the past, to all of our shame. I will not detail this. The orthodox Jews were very generous to our group, offering us an explanation of what they believe as far as gentiles are concerned. The even showed us the Torah, the first five books of the Bible. We were privileged to see the things most sacred to Jews. After that we saw all of the architectual marvel of the al-Ibrihim mosque. Though this building is seperated, I really believed that there was a unity of purpose. In spite of all the necessary security, all there, Jews, Muslems, Christiana, remember those founding people of faith, Abraham Sarah Isaac Rebecca Jacob, Rachael, Leah, and Joseph. This site is a reminder of the need to seek peace. All have a duty of pursuing understanding. We Christians have a special role to play, I believe. We benefit by knowing Christ as our peace, and so we are called to identify what is good in other's faith. All very much share the desire for peace and unity, not only Christians.