The Western Wall and a Passover Meal

Last night, we went to this same place too. It was extremely crowded cos it's their sabbath. We weren't allowed to take pictures last night because we needed to respect them as they worship God. These Jews believe that God is nearest to this Western Wall. Some call it the Wailing Wall cos their prayers and cries make it seem as though they are wailing. Men and Women are separated, thus the "fence" -- guys on the inner side, and ladies on the outer side. And finally, very near the Dome.

Such a coveted place. 1st and 2nd temple. And now, it's a mosque.

Look at the intrinsic mosiac artwork on the walls of the Dome.

Haven't seen the dead sea scrolls yet?

Here's a miniature model of Jerusalem during the 2nd temple days.

See the shadown of Hmay and myself at the bottom right of the photo above.
And below, I'm overlooking the model, where the second temple is.

Not allowed to take pictures of the real dead sea scrolls in the museum. So here's a picture of the souvenir from the gift shop as a momento.

Going to an interesting place for lunch!

To have an interesting passover meal!

I learnt so much in this little meal! Before us are the food and behind us is the door.

This makes this end of the table where the most important people would sit, and the row where Hmay sat, the second most important seats and the last row, the least important. Can you guess where Jesus would have sat (recline would have been a better word)? Any idea where would Peter, John and Judas sat around?

First time i see brown eggs in Israel! Been only seeing white shelled eggs =P

Fruits!

And an interesting beef stew in rice.. a bit like porridge.

Jesus wouldn't have sat at the corner. He would have sat second to the corner. This is because he, as the most important person, would be sitting between his right hand and left hand men. John obviously was sitting on Jesus' right so that he can recline and rest on His bosom. Peter would have sat on Jesus' left. Alas, he was late and naturally Judas, being the treasurer of the group, sat next beside Jesus. Thus when Jesus dipped the bread, Judas was able to dip into the same bowl too. What about Peter then? No one would like to take the least important seat. As a result, since Peter was late, he took the least important seat, which was right at the other corner. No wonder when Jesus started washing His disciples' feet after the meal, Peter was the last that Jesus came to.

John 13: 2-29

The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?" Jesus replied, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand."
"No," said Peter, "you shall never wash my feet." Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me." "Then, Lord," Simon Peter replied, "not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!" Jesus answered, "A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you." 11For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean. When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them. "You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. "I am not referring to all of you; I know those I have chosen. But this is to fulfill the scripture: 'He who shares my bread has lifted up his heel against me.' "I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am He. I tell you the truth, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me."

After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, "I tell you the truth, one of you is going to betray me." His disciples stared at one another, at a loss to know which of them he meant. One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to him. Simon Peter motioned to this disciple and said, "Ask him which one he means." Leaning back against Jesus, he asked him, "Lord, who is it?" Jesus answered, "It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish." Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, son of Simon. As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him.
"What you are about to do, do quickly," Jesus told him, but no one at the meal understood why Jesus said this to him. Since Judas had charge of the money, some thought Jesus was telling him to buy what was needed for the Feast, or to give something to the poor. As soon as Judas had taken the bread, he went out. And it was night.