You will recall that I had intended to join in a tour of Israel led by renowned Archaeologist and historian, Dr. Robert Eisenman. Dr. Eisenman has done an excellent study on ancient records regarding the Essenes, the Zealots and the Nazarenes that he has come so close to discovering the origins of the Knanaya community from ancient sources.
I have had the opportunity to entertain Dr. Eisenman twice in Kerala in 2008 and 2010. During both these tours, we had the opportunity to discuss at length the Knanaya history and heritage in Kerala. It was under these circumstances that when I saw that Dr. Eisenman was leading a team to explain the historical locations in Israel regarding the Essenes and Zealots, I did not want to lose this opportunity.
Unfortunately, due to the Knanaya (Jacobites) Association elections and the legal wrangles associated with it in which I was too deeply committed, I could not keep up with the planned schedule. Nevertheless, under the strong persuasion of Anita Pratap, Dr. Eisenman has agreed to conduct the tour to Israel in Jan 2013 in a package tailor-made to suit the interest of the Knanaya community.
From Jan 14-17, the stay will be at Dan Jerusalem Hotel near Mt. of Olives. During this stay, we will be visiting the many places in Jerusalem including the famed Jerusalem Museum which houses the legendary Dead Sea Scrolls, tomb of the Edessene Queen Helena, the wife of King Abgar of Edessa, tomb of James the Just, and the place where the Jews attacked Paul, Tomb of David, via Dolorosa, Upper Room, and other places of interest.
Jan 18th to 20th, we will be camping at the Biblical Tamar Park in Arad in the Negev desert. Tamar was built on the ancient spice route, located about 45 miles south of the Dead Sea on the road to Eilat. Tamar is located in the Wilderness of Zin, in the Arava corridor (below sea level) on the eastern side, of the Negev Desert. Tamar lay in ruins after the earthquakes, covered by the desert sands, until the recent excavations. Tamar is being uncovered by layers and displayed as a living history lesson and as a tribute to the true and living God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, as well as Moses, King Solomon and Josiah. We will explore the regions around Tamar such as the Masada Caves, Qumran, Ein gedi, the ancient copper mines of King Solomon at Timna, take a dip in the Red Sea and the Dead Sea where the Romans threw their captives to see if they will drown in the fabled Dead Sea where nothing sinks.
Jan 21st and 22nd, we will stay at Tiberias in Galilee
Sundeep Abraham
sundeepabraham@gmail.com
(Mr. Sundeep Abraham, we are eagerly waiting for your report, on your return – Administrator, Knanaya Viseshangal)
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