Ancient Views – by jeep to Mount Azazel / Jebel Muntar

We board the jeeps and travel back to ancient times, to the days when our forefathers’ lives revolved around their flocks.

We visit ancient water cisterns hewn in the Second Temple period and hear biblical stories connected to them.

We visit authentic Bedouin encampments that vividly illustrate the tent of Abraham.

We watch the shepherds’ flocks scattered across the land.

We continue up Jebel Muntar – identified with the biblical Mount Azazel, where the priest would go on Yom Kippur to cast off the scapegoat and atone for the sins of Israel.

We look out at the Hyrcania fortress – the stronghold of John Hyrcanus and his sons, which defended Jerusalem from the east.

We overlook the Kidron stream, which descends from the Temple Mount and was a route of ascent to Jerusalem,

and through which King David fled, seeking to hide from his son Absalom.

We stop at one of the area’s gems for desert coffee and tea.