The Gate of Faith

Returning to the Land of Israel was the atmost desire Jewish people for centureis. Phrases like 'Longing for Zion' or 'next year in Jerusalem', are unseparated part of the Jewish vocabulary.

Watch this warm welcome to young Jewish American who came to Gate of Israel - Ben-Gurion Airport.

In most tours, the program begins in Tel Aviv, only half an hour drive from the big international airport of Israel, Ben-Gurion Airport (named after the first prime-minister, David Ben-Gurion).

After spending the first night in Tel Aviv, a reasonable first touring day is in Tel Aviv and Jaffa.

Jaffa, also known as Yafo or the biblical Joppe, is situated on a small hill at the southern end of Tel Aviv and it is there where people lived in ancient times. When you look at the map of Israel, it is very obvious that the location of the country – a long strip of land on the shores of the Mediterranean, between Europe in the north, Africa in the south and Asia in the east – is the natural crossroads between continents.

The very straight and stretched coastline had very few natural bays which could serve as a natural port for ships in old times. The main one, simply in the middle of the country, was Jaffa.

In the book of Jonah we read about the test of faith which God put Jonah through :

“Now the word of the Lord came unto Jonah the son of Amittai,

saying, Arrise, go to Ninveh, that great city, and cry against it;

for their wickedness is come up before me. But Jonah rose up

to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the Lord and went

down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish”.

(Jonah 1; 1-3)

Jonah was one of the prophets who lived in the 7th century B.C. during the times of the Kings of Israel, but Joppa was already an ancient port in the 18th century B.C. It was mentioned on old tablets and in couple of places in the Bible – both the Old and New Testaments. Being on a hill on the main road used in old times, the Via Marris, and the main port and gateway to the Land of Israel, made Jaffa an important city until the beginning of the 20st century.

The prominent church standing like a fort on the hill of Jaffa, is the catholic church of St. Peter. The church commemorates an important event that happened to Peter, when he spent time in Jaffa :

“About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray.

He became hungry and wanted something to eat,

and while the meal was being prepared,

he fell into a trance.

He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners.

It contained all kinds of four-footed animals,

as well as reptiles and birds. Then a voice told him,

‘Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.’ ‘Surely not, Lord!’ Peter replied.

‘I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.

The voice spoke to him a second time, ‘Do not call anything

impure that God has made clean."

(Acts 10 ; 11-16)

(St. Peter Church Old Jaffa)

This scene, beautifully painted on the wall in the back of the apse in the church, is a very interesting and meaningful scene in the history of Christianity separating from Judaism. One of the fundamental laws in Judaism is eating only "Kosher" food which four-footed animals that do not have split hoofs are excluded from. By eating the non-kosher food, Peter actually left the Jewish laws behind, emerging on a new course of faith which made him a Christian.

These two stories, one in the Old Testament and One in the New Testament are maybe the reason why Daniel Kafri chose to place his impressive monument known as "the Gate of Faith" on top of the hill of Old Jaffa. Some say that the Gate is symbolizes the strong emotions of the newcomers looking down at the sand dunes before they decided to build the new Hebrew city - Tel Aviv in 1909.

The three Biblical scenes described on the Gate are very meaningful scenes described in the Old Testament. Together they demonstrate the very special bond which was established between God of Israel, the People of Israel and the Land of Israel.

The scene on the left foot (facing Tel Aviv), describes yet another test which God put Abraham through to see his loyalty and utmost obedience. Abraham was told to offer his only son Issac to God. Since it was only a test, an angel was sent by God saying "Behold", and a ram was scarified instead. (Genesis 22; 1-19)

The ram's head and the wings of the angel are vividly sculptured on the pillar as well as the kneeling down position as a gesture of humbling obedience to God.

Not many people know that the actual location of this dramatic scene is believed to be the rock under the famous golden dome on Mount Moriah in Jerusalem, therefore called The Dome of the Rock. Not many people are familiar with the fact that Muslims believe it was not Isaac who was about to be sacrificed on the rock but ishmael, the illegal son who was born to Hagar, the mistress Abraham took to give him sons... When Issac was miraculously born to Sara at a very old age, Hagar and her son were sent away to the desert. The Muslims see themselves as descendants of Abraham and every year they celebrate "Eed El Adha" to commemorate Ishmael's salvation. It is the most important holy day for the Muslims during which they slaughter a ram for the big feast. This is also the time of year when Muslim pilgrims travel to South Arabia to visit the Black Rock known as the "Ka'aba".

The other pillar is describing another symbolic scene called "Jacob's dream".

Jacob fell asleep in an open field and in his dream he say a ladder with angels climbing up and down. God appeared to Jacob in his dream promising to protect his land

and his people. (Genesis 22; 10). when Jacob woke up, very moved by the dream, he named the place where he fell asleep "Beth-El" - House of God. There is a settlement in the West Bank by that name, believed to be the geographic location of the story. Some people claim this event actually happened on Mt. Moriah in Jerusalem where later King Solomon built the first Temple to be the house of God.

The upper scene describes the conquest of Jericho by Joshua and the Israelites. This was the first action after the Exodus from Egypt to actually follow the words of God to Abraham : "Go to the Land which I will show you.... inherit the Land... and multiply your seed on the face of the earth". (Genesis)

The Land of Israel was never really empty. The Bible tells us about the Canaanites, the Jebusites, the Philistines and other tribes which are long time gone. Conquering Jericho by circling the city walls seven times blowing the horns, became an almost mythological story.. and a well known song of course, but the meaning of this battle is very symbolic. Already then, the people of Israel did everything to return to their homeland and take it by force if necessary. It is not a coincidence that many times the Israeli soldiers today, see themselves as 'followers of Joshua'.

In many ways, the "Gate of Faith" monument located near the old port of Jaffa, facing the bustling Tel Aviv, the Israel 'Manhattan', means much more than just a beautiful piece of art. It is a place that gives you an insight into the spirit and resilience of the Israelis today. Why they are so devoted to this crazy piece of land, located in a problematic neighborhood. It is the link to the past, the sense of belonging to a long chain which goes back thousands of years. Many Israelis are not very religious, but they study the Bible and feel connected to the Israelites who lived here before.

Tel Aviv in 1909 and 2020