We’re still in the middle of Sukkot, although rapidly approaching the end, and despite the bad news from earlier in the week, when UNESCO did its best to deny the Jews’ connection to Jerusalem, or rather because of it, I’m going to focus on Jerusalem and Sukkot in this week’s Good News Friday post.
First up, via the Muqata, an ancient, 2,700-year old papyrus has been discovered with the word “Jerusalem” written on it:
A unique, 2,700-year-old Papyrus which mentions the Hebrew word “Yerushalma” (possibly meaning “to Jerusalem”) will be revealed next week at a conference on Innovations in the Archaeology of Jerusalem and Its Environs, at the Rabin Jewish Studies Building on the Mount Scopus Campus of the Hebrew University, Makor Rishon reported. Researchers say the papyrus may be the earliest evidence in Hebrew of the connection between the city of Jerusalem and the period of the Kings of Israel.
Ancient papyrus
…
The Hebrew papyrus was discovered recently in the Judaean desert and purchased from an antique dealer. It was examined by the Israel Antiquities Authority’s labs, and carbon dated. The results showed with certainty that the papyrus dates back to the 8th century BCE, near the end of the Kingdom of Judea, a short while before the destruction of the First Temple.
Kol hakavod to the various authorities who discovered, restored and preserved this priceless artefact. As we all well know, we don’t need the UN or anyone else to tell us to whom Jerusalem belongs! I love the Muqata’s snarky comment:
We Jews are a sneaky bunch, going back in our time machines and leaving behind all those undeniable clues linking us Jews to Jerusalem and Israel.
It’s enough to give MK Ahmed Tibi a stroke as he tries to find new ways to deny reality and find his own time machine or at least a flying donkey.
My next item just doubles down on the previous item. 70,000 people crowded the Kotel (Western Wall) plaza to hear Birkat Cohanim, the Priestly Blessing, which takes place in public once each on Pesach and Sukkot. This year the number of attendees was extraordinary:
Over 70,000 people took part in the traditional priestly blessing ceremony during Sukkot at the Western Wall on Wednesday. The ceremony was led by Israel’s chief rabbis, Yitzhak Yosef and David Lau, and Western Wall Rabbi Shmuel Rabinovitch. The blessing concluded with the chief rabbis receiving the Sukkot pilgrims.
Rabinovitch said that “the pilgrimage is an impressive testament of the people of Israel’s connection to the remnants of our Temple, which the masses have come to embrace. Our answer to those who deny history is expressed in our prayer, ‘And give you peace.'”
Just watch this beautiful and moving experience:
How anyone could agree to a vote denying the Jews’ connection to the Temple Mount is mind-boggling. Even abstaining is not an option! What, you can’t make up your minds? Maybe the above video will help you decide.
Being Sukkot, there were many other joyful events taking place, as the Yisrael Hayom report continues:
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu helped dedicate the Eastern Wing of the Institute of Archaeology Exhibition Hall, also in Jerusalem. The new compound will house the Israel Antiquities Authority and display archaeological findings.
And President Reuven Rivlin and his wife, Nechama, hosted around 6,000 people at the sukkah at the President’s Residence Wednesday under the theme “Product of Israel: The Blue-and-White Industry.”
In Haifa, the local branch of the Naamat women’s organization hosted MKs, mayors, public figures and activists from across the political spectrum, including Zionist Union leader Isaac Herzog, in their sukkah. The Larger Than Life Association, which works to improve the quality of life of children with cancer, marked the Sukkot holiday with a variety of activities at Dor Beach in central Israel.
There were also get-togethers, hikes, treks, shows, and all kinds of other events as the entire country, so it seemed, took to the roads and highways and forests and nature trails to enjoy the perfect Sukkot weather.
We ourselves made sure we got busy Judaising Jerusalem as went up to Jerusalem twice. We could not get over how many thousands of people were in the Old City and at the Kotel at gone 10 o’clock at night!
Looking down onto the thousands of people crowding the Kotel plaza, Sukkot 2016
Entering the crowded Kotel plaza, Sukkot 2016
With these happy thoughts, I will love you and leave you and wish you all Shabbat Shalom. Next stop Simchat Torah!
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We are “obviously all wrong!” If over 70,000people who came to hear the priestly blessing can’t disprove those idiots at UNESCO nobody can!Also there were loads of various ministers from around the world who especially came to visit Jerusalem to stand in solidarity with Israel.(Why can’t they persuade their leaders to move their embassies to Jerusalem,is a mystery.That would really stick it to those(UN)educated rotten liars.There has also just been unearthed an archaeological find showing a battle near the Temple wall.If I can upload the link I”ll do so.
Additionally,there was the tradional March around Jerusalem attended by thousands,including Christian pilgrims.But of course that makes no difference to the liars in international forums.
On that happy note ,it is said that G-d protects those who trust in Him,and sit (& sleep!)in their booths.So UN put that in your pipe and smoke it!
Shabbat Shalom and Chag Sameach!
Thank you for all that additional information about the celebrations on Sukkot here. I didn’t have time to find all the links but it’s important that it’s all mentioned.
UNESCO can get stuffed. They have made themselves look utterly pathetic and ridiculous.
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