Page 12 - Holyland Magazine - 2018 Edition
P. 12
Pieces of pottery
The Herodian Quarter
preparing the incense for the Temple. Now we is incredible just how much of the atmosphere
are invited to enter and relax in the living room that characterized this neighborhood you
of this wealthy family, which had the most can actually experience, feeling the life in the
secret professional knowledge in Jerusalem. ancient homes, listening to the story of the
We can look at the tools of their craft, the people who lived in the rooms and feeling like
weights, vessels made of stone according to you are actually part of that period. This way
Jewish law, which stipulates that stone vessels you can identify with their moments of joy and
always remain pure. happiness as well as moments of pain and
sorrow. Only here will we be able to disconnect
The Burnt House Now, before we embrace the scent of the from the hustle bustle of the present, to “take a
incense, which perfumed the ancient air dip” into the experience and, for a few minutes,
thousands of years ago, let us recall the step into the Second Temple period.
intense criticism the sages of Israel leveled
A fascinating exhibit is projected onto the
at the residents of this home. “Woe to me ancient walls in a variety of languages. Visitors
on account of the house of Katros, woe to are introduced to various characters who lived
me on account of their quills. Woe to me in the house. Here you will meet Evyatar, the
on account of the house of Piakhi, woe to young priest from a noble Sadducee family
who crossed the lines to become a Zealot
me on account of their fists. For they are fighter. He shares his life story, from the glory
High Priests, their sons are treasurers, days of abundance to the difficult times of
their sons-in-law are trustees, and their destruction. The technology enables visitors to
slaves beat the people with sticks.” feel that they are part of the storyline.
[Babylonian Talmud, Psachim 57]. Just a few steps away is the Broad Wall. Here
Evidently, alongside their service in the you can watch an earlier historical drama,
Temple, they abused their power to from the days of Hezekiah, King of Judah, and
accumulate personal wealth, to obtain
jobs for family members and to use
their Jewish brethren as servants. It
12