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Masada - Part 3
Shalom friends,
In the last two issues we met Masada – a lofty natural plateau overlooking the Dead Sea: Masada of King Herod the Great, who built there his magnificent fortress including his Roman villa and palace; Masada that tells us the story of the tragic events leading to the last chapter of the Great Revolt of the Jews against the Romans; Masada that preserved the remains of the most complete Roman siege system in the world.
Due to its historical value and the high level of preservation, Masada was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001.
In this issue we will follow the history of the Masada Research focusing on the findings of the late professor YigaelYadin, and recommend the ways to visit and experience this magnificent site.
After the Romans left Masada, the fortress remained uninhabited for a few centuries. During the fifth century CE, the Byzantines built a monastery on Masada, but with the rise of the Islam in the seventh century, the monastery apparently ceased to exist.
After the Byzantine period Masada sank into oblivion until a couple of scholars named Smith and Robinson identified it in 1838. The place was mapped and studies sporadically since.
From 1963 to 1965 major excavations were carried out by the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, headed by Professor YigaelYadin. These excavations uncovered most of Masada’s structures, along with thousands of well-preserved artifacts that present a rare picture of the material culture at the end of the Second Temple period. During the excavations many buildings were conserved and reconstructed. The restorations, and particularly the frescoes and the mosaics that were found on the site, were reconstructed with authentic materials.
One of the most exciting findings consisted of 11 pieces of clay, each one bearing a name written in the Hebrew language. According to JosephusFlavius book, the mass suicide of the Jewish rebels was carried by 10 men who were chosen by lot. The last ten rebels ordained the same rule of the lot for one another, “that he on whom it fell should slay first the nine and then himself last of all… They had died in the belief that they had left not a soul of them alive to fall into Roman hands”. Those pieces of clay found by the Yadin’s delegation are believed to be the lots drawn by the last ten people. One of the names there is Ben Yair, the name of the leader of the rebels.
Visiting Masada
Masada – The Snake Path by AvishayTicher
The top of the plateau can be reached by cable-car from the Dead Sea side, or by two walking trails:
The ramp trail (שְׁבִילהַסּוֹלְלָה) – a steep but relatively short trail ascending from the west (access from the city of Arad). The trail was created by Byzantine monks.
The Snake Path (שְׁבִיל הַנָּחָשׁ) – a longer trail ascending from the east. It is highly recommended to climb before dawn and watch, from the top of Masada, how the sun rises from the Dead Sea.
Sunrise from Masada by ShiraCohen-Regev
Masada Sound and Light Show
If you arrive at night, you should watch the thrilling sound and light show, presented against the dramatic backdrop of the western side of Masada. The show tells the story of the Romans and the rebels at the cliff-top fortress in a very expressive manner.
Masada Sound and Light Show by NoamMichaeli
The YigaelYadinMasada Museum
As it was difficult to preserve the rare findings on the open site, some were removed to a new museum. The museum, located on the foot of Masada, presents the findings of the excavations in a very unique and theatrical atmosphere. The visitor can experience the life of the Romans as well as the Rebels while walking through three-dimensional scenes, sculpted figures, and architectural elements, all made to conform as much as possible to real finds of the period. Some of the most fascinating findings show the daily life of the rebels and include cooking pots, 2000 years old remains of clothing, straw baskets, brushes, a real braid, as well as Hebrew inscriptions dealing with everyday life.
Hebrew Words
מוּזֵאוֹן
Transcription:muze’on
Part of speech: Noun, Masculine
Literal Meaning: museum
חֲפִירוֹת
Transcription:xafirot
Part of speech: Noun, Feminine, Plural
Literal Meaning: excavations
חִזָּיוֹןאוֹרְקוֹלִי
Transcription:xizayonorkoli
Literal Meaning: Sound and Light Show
שְׁבִיל
Transcription: shvil
Part of speech: Noun, Masculine
Literal Meaning: trail, path
Hebrew WordSearch (תִּפְזֹרֶת)
See if you learn the Hebrew lessons taught in the last three newsletters about Masada, so you can find all of the words in the puzzle below:
Hebrew Names
יִגָּאֵל
Name:
Yiga'el, Yigael
Gender:
Male
Meaning:
The meaning of "יִגָּאֵל" (yigael) is: (he) will be liberated.
שִׁמְרִית
Name:
Shiemreet, Shimrith
Gender:
Female
Meaning:
The name "Shimrith" is derived from the verb "לשמור" (lishmor, "keep", "guard", "protect").
History:
"Shimrith" is the name of the mother of one of the assassins of Joash, the king of Judah.
Citation:
"And these are they that conspired against him, Zabad the son of Shimeath an Ammonitess, and Jehozabad the son of Shimrith a Moabitess." 2 Chronicles 24, 26
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One of the most exciting findings consisted of 11 pieces of clay, each one bearing a name written in the 
