(OPINION) BIN – Thousands of years ago, Jews would travel from all over Israel three times a year to visit the Holy Temple in Jerusalem to worship God, as the Bible commands.
Three times a year—on the festival of Pesach, on the festival of Shavuot, and on the festival of Sukkot—all your males shall appear before Hashem your God in the place that He will choose. They shall not appear before Hashem empty-handed, – Deuteronomy 16:16
These pilgrims would immerse in a mikvah (ritual bath) as part of their spiritual preparation for an encounter with holiness at the site of the Temple. According to Assaf Brezis, manager of Gush Etzion ATV tours, an ancient mikvah, located just south of Jerusalem, that was used by these pilgrims has been renewed by the recent rainfall in Israel and is full enough to use.
The ancient mikvah, located on the road known as Derech HaAvot (Patriarch’s Route), was rediscovered just 35 years ago. Although it is currently under the control of the military and has not yet been completely restored, Brezis spoke excitedly about the Biblical significance of the mikvah and the area surrounding it. He knows it has the potential to captivate Bible-based Jews and Christian alike.
He knows because he’s witnessed visitors crying at the site, as they come to understand its Biblical significance. Brezis has a vision for building a tourist attraction near the mikvah, to reenact the scenes that took place there more than 2000 years ago. FULL REPORT
