- From the history of the Judean Desert
- Creator's dream
- Chic surroundings
- Redemption goat
- Desert world
- Video
We can say that the Judean Desert is located in Israel, on the western shore of the Dead Sea. The statement that the most mysterious Dead Sea adjoins the Judean Desert from the east will also sound right.
The second interesting remark: there is very little information about this desert that characterizes its geographical position, geological structure, climate and rainfall. But there is an abundance of information. About how these desert territories are connected with Christianity, which saints had to hide from evil people, which rebels escaped from their opponents. And even the name "Judean Desert" is associated with the history of the Jewish kingdom.
From the history of the Judean Desert
It is believed that one of the very first famous hermits to find refuge in this desert was David. Here he had to hide from the persecution of King Saul, who was also the exiled's father-in-law. And David himself later was fortunate enough to become the king of the Jewish kingdom.
The second beautiful legend about these extraordinary places is associated with John the Baptist, it is believed that this saint performed the first rite of baptism on the Jordan River, which is located in the northwestern part of the Judean Desert, being its kind of border.
Creator's dream
Desert landscapes evoke sacred awe in any guest, at first glance, the desert is absolutely faceless and gray. If you look closely, you can see that not only gray colors were used by nature, there is almost the entire palette of natural shades of gray, brown, beige.
Wild gloomy pictures, the Judean Desert resembles, rather, the surface of some cosmic object, there are no smooth plains, the landscape consists of hills, plateaus, hills, one side of which is flat, and the other ends with a steep ledge, a real, albeit gloomy, source of inspiration.
Chic surroundings
The Jordan River surrounds the desert. Another attraction overshadowing the desert is the Dead Sea, located in its east. Many legends and interesting events are associated with the reservoir; there are always many guests and tourists here. Swimming in the sea, in which you cannot drown, is a kind of attraction and an obligatory ritual of every traveler who gets here.
In the neighbors to the west, there are also celebrities, the Judean Mountains and Jerusalem. The origins of the name of the hill come from where the toponym of the Judean Desert comes from, one of the twelve tribes of Israel could not do without. It is also impossible to imagine mountains today without monasteries, of which there are a sufficient number, and the most famous are:
- Latrun Monastery, consecrated in honor of the Mother of God;
- St. George Monastery, occupying the Wadi Kelt gorge;
- Mountain Monastery;
- churches in the Arab village.
This is just a small list of cult complexes and structures, in reality there are many more.
Redemption goat
Everyone knows who is now called the scapegoat - most often an innocent victim. But the inhabitants of Jerusalem can tell the legend that in fact there were two such animals, or rather, two sacrifices were being prepared. Then lots were cast, according to which one was sacrificed to God, leaving on the altar.
The second animal received the name "the goat of redemption", it was taken deep into the Judean desert, about 10 kilometers from Jerusalem. Then the unfortunate horned animal was thrown off the cliff, sending at the same time "to Azazel." This was the so-called sacrifice to the devil.
And today you can get on this rock in the desert, from above, stunning, fantastic views open up. Mount Herodium is visible from it, some tourists compare it with the famous Japanese "colleague" - Mount Fujiyama. The districts of Jerusalem are visible on the horizon, and you can see that the city is expanding, slowly capturing territories that were previously the property of the Judean Desert.
On the territory of the desert, in the old days, the ancient inhabitants arranged diers, classic cattle pens. They resemble a circle in shape; a wall or a mound of cobblestones is made at the border, about a meter high. This is enough to prevent the animals from scattering overnight and ending up with predators for dinner.
Desert world
The Judean Desert is located in the subtropical zone, which determines the amount of precipitation and the temperature regime of the region. The difference in altitude (from -50 meters to +900 meters above sea level) also plays a role.
Relict plants and animals do not live in narrow canyons, where deep channels run, which quickly fill with water during rain and also quickly become dry. Clever animals and representatives of the kingdom of flora choose springs and springs for habitation, which do not dry out, respectively, are the sources of life.
