Earthquakes are a normal part of the Middle East as much as the disagreements between Arabs and Jews. However, we had an experience that made a very deep impression on us during our trip to Israel four years ago.
We had a dream, actually the same dream repeated itself two nights in a row. The dream was clear. There was no ambiguity. No interpretation was needed. It still sends chills down our spine.
During the first night's dream, an earthquake struck and it destroyed the Dome of The Rock and without any outside assistance, the Third Temple rose from the destruction. It was glimmering, shiny and new. The second night, the dream repeated itself with the exception that Angels were lifting the Temple from the rubble. All the other details remained the same.
We believe that we had this dream for a reason and therefore feel the need to share it with our readers.
Are we special? We don't think so. We are a normal man leading a rather normal life. The only exception is our strong belief in G-d and his desire for Israel to exist and prosper. Does he rule the hearts and minds of Israel's enemies, we don't think so. Does he have a plan for Israel? We believe so. Will he punish those who do not support Israel, we know this to be true.
How powerful is G-d? We believe that G-d is not in charge of our daily lives, we are in charge of them. He has given us the free will and we are responsible for the choices that we make. If we speak ill of someone, commit a crime, or break his Ten Commandments, we are the one responsible. In other words, G-d is in charge of the "big stuff" and leaves the rest to us.
We believe that the Messiah is coming soon. This is one of G-d's jobs.
As we see it, this world is becoming more violent, more immoral, and more self-indulgent than at any time in the past. Wars are everywhere, terrorism happens daily and peaceful events events like the Olympics are over-shadowed by the threat of violence against the athletes as well as those attending the spectacular.
Consumerism has spread worldwide. Even in the poorest reaches of the globe, the latest fashion trends, computers and cell phones are deemed "necessities" of life.
Governments around the world lie daily. Distortions of the truth seem to be more palatable to the populace rather than the facts as they really are.
Immorality is promoted as normal and morality is scorned. Clergy ignores Bible teaching to be "with it." Misdeeds are excused. Imams spread hate and violence against any person or group that does not believe in Muhammad while the targets of their hate try to understand this irrational anger. Gay, trans-gender, bi-sexual individuals are treated as normal and heterosexual relationships are not.
Money seems to govern all of our decisions. The Catholic leadership could not punish their priests for their immoral behavior as it would have impacted them financially. Banks knowingly created bad loans, hurt people and are slapped with meaningless insignificant fines. The "governing class" in all nations enriches itself while the public becomes increasingly poorer. International bodies promote plans, which are not based on science, with a goal of amassing personal wealth.
The trend cannot continue. There is a point at which the people of the world will decide to turn their "plowshares into pruning hooks", to "not learn war anymore" and to "treat others as you would like to be treated." Are we near that point, we believe so. Will it occur this year, ten years hence, or a hundred, that is way above my pay grade. But we are sure that G-d has a plan.
Our dream has made us consider big changes. We slowly are moving toward relocating. Will it be to Israel? We don't know. What we do understand is that if G-d wants us to be in Jerusalem when the Third Temple becomes a reality, we will be. It is in G-d's hands. We feel (and have felt from an early age) that he has a mission for us. What is is, he will tell us when the time is right.
So when will the Messiah arrive? Soon. Many things have to occur first. The Third Temple must be a reality first and foremost. Without the Temple nothing will happen. Our dream tell us we are near. We hope and pray that it is within our lifetime.
Conservative Tom
Israel Implements Protective Measures for Holy Sites Against Earthquakes
“Your neck is as beautiful as the tower of David, jeweled with the shields of a thousand heroes.” (Song of Songs 4:4)
Tower of David in the Old City of Jerusalem. (Photo: Edo M./ Wiki Commons)
As the tallest structure in the Old City of Jerusalem, the Tower of David is a famous and familiar symbol to residents and tourists who pass through Jerusalem’s Jaffa Gate. The ancient citadel compound contains at least 2,000 years’ worth of history dating back to the First Temple period.
But the symbolic structure, among other historical structures across Israel, have some worried. There are six major cracks in the tower which raises questions if the structure would be able to survive an earthquake. Israel is located in a region extremely prone to earthquakes and a major quake could be devastating.
“A major earthquake poses a serious threat and needs to be treated as such,” Dr. Avi Shapira told Tazpit News Agency. As Chairman of Israel’s National Earthquake Preparedness Committee, Shapira explained that a large earthquake will affect every aspect of life as most Israelis live near active zones. “Israel is a small country – the consequences of a large earthquake will be far reaching.”
Therefore, Shapira believes that Israel has a duty to protect its national heritage sites. “We want to preserve the structures of our past and historical monuments of the Holy Land that are significant to the world.”
Earthquakes occur when a sudden release of energy in the Earth’s crust creates seismic waves, which then travel through the Earth’s layers.
In order to implement proper methods of protection and preparedness for earthquake threats, research and engineering is needed in order to upgrade ancient buildings according to Shapira.
Israel experienced five moderate earthquakes in October, which prompted experts to install a seismic monitoring system at the Tower of David in November 2013.
The Tower of David is the first heritage site that has been included in an international project that is monitoring fluctuations on a heritage site through a special monitoring system run by the University of Padova in Italy. This is the first attempt to use technology to determine the structural weaknesses in an ancient edifice in Israel.
Israel has been consulting with Italian researchers, who are leading experts in the field of earthquake evaluation and monitoring, in order to learn of new ways to minimize damage to cultural heritage sites through available technologies.
In a special conference at the Tower of David this week (January 19-20), called Seismic Risk Preparedness and Mitigation of Archaeological and Historical Sites, Italian experts were present to share their knowledge during unique sessions addressing earthquake monitoring.
Claudio Modena, a Professor of Structural Engineering at the University of Padova, Italy. (Photo: Tazpit News Agency)
Italy, located in a region with considerable seismic activity, has suffered from many major earthquakes in the past fifty years notes Claudio Modena, a Professor of Structural Engineering at the University of Padova. Professor Modena, who has visited Israel on many occasions, lead a session about strengthening existing cultural sites, this past Sunday, January 19.
“Italy is a world leader in the earthquake monitoring field and conducting research in methodology for effective dealing with earthquakes,” explains Professor Modena. “Israel is new to this area and we believe that sharing our knowledge will help maintain historical structures in the event of a major earthquake.”
Modena, who lives in Verona, Italy, has also investigated historical and archaeological sites in Akko, Tzfat, and Beit Shean.
Other experts at the Tower of David conference included representatives from the Italian Ministry of Cultural Heritage as well as the Ministry of Civil Protection in Italy, and the Firefighters Agency in Emergency Response.
Italian expert Luka Ponticelli (Photo: Tazpit News Agency)
Luka Ponticelli, an Italian fire officer, of the Central Direction for Prevention and Technical Safety in Rome told Tazpit that Italian fire services are trained to deal with the aftereffects of earthquake on historical sites and heritage monuments. “We are the only firemen in the world that are trained in restoring buildings and reducing damages following earthquakes.”
Following the conference at the Tower of David, Israel will continue to promote cooperation with academic institutions and earthquake experts in Italy.
“The Italian experience in dealing with earthquakes is of great help to those of us dealing with this threat in Israel,” said Professor Shapira.
Read more at http://www.breakingisraelnews.com/israel-implements-protective-measures-holy-sites-against-earthquakes/#T6GYcpOrxCH0qFee.99
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