(my videos from this travel)
- There used to be a Yeshiva that learned at the 'Shalom Al Yisrael Shul' in Yericho. Under the Oslo Accords, it was decided that not a single Jew could live in Yericho, and the Yeshiva was shut down. However, the Yeshiva relocated to just outside of Yericho. After an Arab riot that burned and destroyed a part of the Ancient Shul, the site was closed down. However, once a month, early in the morning, and under heavy army protection, Jews are allowed to Daven at the Shul and visit Tel Yericho. When I went, we headed there at 4 AM, to avoid confrontations. Nevertheless, local Arabs threw stones at us, intending to harm Yidden, who were simply going to visit and Daven by sites that are holy to Yiddishkeit! Baruch Hashem, we had soldiers with us that prevented us from being massacred C'V.
Details
- Yericho is one of the most famous cities in Nach, where many known stories took place in the city and its outskirts.
- In Yericho, there is a place called Tel Yericho, which is also called Tel Sultan, where the old city of Yericho is.
- Most of the remains at Tel Sultan remain covered up, However, you can see many wall foundations that are thousands of years old!
-There is an old round watchtower that is mistakenly called 'Rachav's house', the location of her house is actually in the north of Tel Yericho.
-Yericho is often mentioned as the oldest existing city in the world.
- There are also a few ancient Shuls in Yericho that are generally kept locked. We were able to daven Shacharis in one of these Shuls called the 'Shalom Al Yisrael Shul', which is about 1400 years old! Later, we visited The Naaran Shul, which was built around the same time as the Shalom Al Yisrael Shul.
History
- The first city that the Yidden conquered when they entered Eretz Yisrael, was Yericho. First, Yehoshua Ben Nun sent 2 spies, Pinchas and Calev, to check out the city. When they were discovered, Rachav famously helped them escape out of the city. It says in Sefer Yehoshua (2:16, 2:22), "Go to the mountain lest the pursuers meet you; and hide yourselves there for three days". Right outside of Yericho are many tall mountains, where you can see where the spies likely hid.
- Next to Yericho, by the Yarden River, is where Eliyahu Hanavi went up to heaven in a chariot of fire.
- There is a spring of water, that is likely the spring that Elisha HaNavi blessed, and sweetened it's water. Till today, people drink from that spring!
-The Narran Shul, is possibly located at the site of the ancient city of Naaran which was near Yericho. There is the story of Elisha being attacked by Naarim (people from Naaran), who lost their income because he had cured the water of Yericho.
- There was an archaeologist who wanted to excavate Yericho, and was only able to do so when she received permission from the Arabs. She was under tremendous pressure from the Arabs and people who deny the authenticity of the Torah, to show that there is zero connection between Yidden and Yericho. She published her 'findings', and claimed that Yericho was destroyed 100 years before Yehoshua Ben Nun conquered the city. The Arabs and deniers of The Torah were ecstatic and used this 'proof' that Jewish history is made up. However, 30 years ago, a new team of archaeologists reexamined the site and the findings from the previous excavation. They found many inconsistencies in the findings. For example, the archaeologist did not consider numerous pottery findings that were dated from after her 'decided date of Yericho's destruction', which shows that Cannanim were living in Yericho well after her 'decided date of Yericho's destruction'. Once again showing that The Tanach is not a historical novel, but actually the true story of our people. (On this theme check out Khirbet Qeiyafa)
The Shalom Al Yisrael Shul.
View of Yericho from the Shul.
The army accompanied us for security. Notice the paint marks, the Arabs throw paint at the windows hoping to obstruct the view of the drivers.
Elisha's Spring.
Tel Yericho.
Massive gratitude for the soldiers!
The Naaran Shul.
Nearby is an amusement park.
The mountains next to Yericho, this is where Pinchas and Calev likely hid after Rachav saved them.
