First day of classes
Friday, September 7th
Honestly, it felt really good to be back in a classroom. Our first class was two hours of Old Testament, but it only felt like a half hour. Something about studying in a classroom overlooking the old city makes class a lot easier. I also believe we have some of the best of the best in professors here this semester. We Talked about the first few books of Genesis and Abraham. There are so many elements to the creation that i didn't realize relate to us and our purpose here. We talked about why they might repeat certain things in the story and how those things are a pattern for us as we build "a world", (a people, a family). I have found new joy and motivation in studying the Old Testament and am excited to go to class!
Our next class was Ancient Near Eastern Studies with all 84 students. I can already tell this class is going to be tough. The Professor is really sweet and extremely smart, but doesn't teach in a way that I easily understand. There is a lot of reading involved an assumed background knowledge that i failed to acquire in previous years of schooling. I'll have to work extra hard and hope that she is kind in her grading until i get to a place where i understand where we are in history. wish me luck! It was really interesting though to talk about different empires and the reshaping of the land in which we currently live.
After that class we had yet another security meeting and walk around the building. He showed us where all the fire escape routes are and the bomb shelter and stuff like that. Things happening like bombs and other threats are very unlikely for this area because we sit incredibly close to old City Jerusalem. No one in the area would dare disturb such sacred sites.
The most memorable part of this day, and a trip i am not soon to forget, was are field trip to the Western Wall as the sabbath was welcomed. We walked around the walls of the Old city to enter into Dung gate and make our way to the wall. The Western wall, or Wailing wall, is one of the most holy sites in Judaism. To be there and participate in welcoming the sabbath was a truly amazing experience. I love and respect our Jewish brothers and sisters and am grateful for their example of faith and devotion.
Our next class was Ancient Near Eastern Studies with all 84 students. I can already tell this class is going to be tough. The Professor is really sweet and extremely smart, but doesn't teach in a way that I easily understand. There is a lot of reading involved an assumed background knowledge that i failed to acquire in previous years of schooling. I'll have to work extra hard and hope that she is kind in her grading until i get to a place where i understand where we are in history. wish me luck! It was really interesting though to talk about different empires and the reshaping of the land in which we currently live.
After that class we had yet another security meeting and walk around the building. He showed us where all the fire escape routes are and the bomb shelter and stuff like that. Things happening like bombs and other threats are very unlikely for this area because we sit incredibly close to old City Jerusalem. No one in the area would dare disturb such sacred sites.
The most memorable part of this day, and a trip i am not soon to forget, was are field trip to the Western Wall as the sabbath was welcomed. We walked around the walls of the Old city to enter into Dung gate and make our way to the wall. The Western wall, or Wailing wall, is one of the most holy sites in Judaism. To be there and participate in welcoming the sabbath was a truly amazing experience. I love and respect our Jewish brothers and sisters and am grateful for their example of faith and devotion.
No comments:
Post a Comment