Yardenit Baptismal on the Jordan river

Yardenit ("little Jordan") is a popular Baptism site. Here, the water flows into the Jordan river, eventually flowing into the Dead Sea located more than 100KM to the south. This site is believed by some traditions to be the actual site where Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist (Matthew 3: 13 : "Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John").

 

Many Christian pilgrims stop at this site and perform baptism ceremonies, normally in small groups and accompanied by the group's pastor. It is a remarkable and charming site - and should not be missed.

 

The baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist is described in Matthew (3:13-17), told briefly in Mark (1:9-11), mentioned in Luke (3:21-22), and implied in John (1:29-34). In these texts John performs an important  ritual :  announcing that Jesus is the Son of God and the Messiah.

 

Another popular Baptismal on the Jordan river is at Qasr al Yahud near Jericho

Yardenit Baptismal site - Images by photostock-israel .

Dead Sea Salt Formations

As water shortage increases less and less water is allowed to flow into the Dead Sea causing the lake to shrink in size. The water evaporation leaves salt residue that Christianizes into strange and beautiful salt formations






Dead Sea Salt Formations - Images by photostock-israel .

Jerusalem Syndrome

The Jerusalem syndrome is the name given to a group of mental phenomena involving the presence of either religiously themed obsessive ideas, delusions or other psychosis-like experiences, that are triggered by, or lead to, a visit to the city of Jerusalem. The best known, although not the most prevalent manifestation of the Jerusalem syndrome, is the phenomenon whereby a person who seems previously balanced and devoid of any signs of psychopathology, becomes psychotic after arriving in Jerusalem. The psychosis is characterized by an intense religious theme and typically resolves to full recovery after a few weeks, or after being removed from the area. (source: wikipedia)






Jerusalem Stock Photography - Images by photostock-israel .

Israel stock photography