Sunday was a high-volume day full of Dovid and his legacy that continues to live on. After davening and breakfast it was off to the Old City. Busses are not allowed in the Old City, so Yakov left us off and in we went. Walking to the Old City is amazing as one is able to actually walk on the walls. Gates in those times were designed not only to keep people out, but to allow the residents a good form of protection. Soldiers were able to stand at the top of gates and shoot out. In addition, you will notice that one does not enter a gate straight. There is always a turn. That would slow down the enemy’s chariot as they came riding in. If you look up at the gates there are holes, that were great for pouring out hot oil down on the enemies.
The gates of the Old City that we see now were built under the rule of the Turkish Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent during the years 1535-1542. As you can imagine, it was a huge job. Since there were no google maps then, the architects built the walls around what they assumed was the original Old City. Oops, they left out a very important piece, The City of David. This was not to Suleiman’s liking, so off went their heads. (No Union representatives yet to plead their cause.)
We entered through the Tzion gate. Before we entered we noticed many bullet holes around the gates entrance. These are from the War of Independence when Jordan captured the Old City. We calculated that we were now entering through a gate and walls that are over 500 years old.
Our first stop was to daven at the grave of King Dovid. Now, interesting the Navi says that King Dovid was buried in the City of Dovid. If you recall, we wrote that the Old City Walls now left out the City of David. How then can Dovid’s grave be in the Old City? Excellent question that will not be answered in its fullest. At some point Jews began to pray at a site in the Old City marking it for Dovid. Since it is a place full of heart-felt prayer, that alone offers a level of holiness and we still treat it as if it could be Dovid’s grave site. With this idea in mind, our trip Cohen, Meir remained outside.
It was very meaningful o recite Tehilim here surrounded by dividers with special chapters of Tehilim. Dovid was the sweet singer of Israel and now we were able to sing these beautiful chapters in the place were Dovid ruled our great nation.
Then it was a really, really short walk to enter the City of David. This place is an archeological dream now. They are constantly finding new items. We highly recommend visiting this place often, as it is constantly changing. Interesting though, it was not a given. The famous archeologist, Eilat Mazar, knew that there were treasures hidden here and in 2005 began to find them.
Eilat Mazar first began in the Old City, but was we told you before the City of David was left out. She eventually went outside the walls and after many years of hard work found a seal called a bul from the days of Tzidkiyahu, the King during the First Temple’s destruction. After that the City of David continued to be a treasure of archeological remains.
We walked through remains of places and homes dating back to King Dovid and beyond. There is even a bathroom showing ancient indoor plumbing. Near some structures burnt wood was found dating back to the First Temple time period. This matches the words of the Navi that speak of how the city was burned down. As mazar and her team continued to dig, they found 51 seals with names of ministers found in the Navi. Tanach comes alive here.
One important element that a city needs is water. The Old City under the days of Dovid received its water from the Gichon Spring in the Kidron Valley. This is where King Shlomo was anointed. During the rule of King Chizkiyahu, the Assyrians were threatening to come and attack Yerushalayim. Sanchareiv, their king had already exiled the 10 tribes. In order to prepare for this attack, Chizkiyahu knew that water would be a huge issue.
In the book of Devarim, one can read that Chizkiyahu ordered his men to begin at 2 areas under the city and dig tunnels in order to revert the Gichon water supply to flow under the city. It was truly a miracle that the 2 groups starting each on opposite ends met each other without the use of modern technology. Another miracle occurred which you can read about in the book of Kings II. The day after Sanchereiv and his army surrounded the city, all of their soldiers died.
It was into these tunnels that our fellow travelers entered. With only head lamps to see, it was amazing to walk through natural flowing water that still works today. At times the water reached higher than our knees. Yes, we got wet, but we were prepared. While this water no longer serves the city, it definitely serves as a reminder of the miracles that Hashem continues to perform for His nation.