Migdal

After descending Mount Arbel, I had a short 3mi (5k) walk to Migdal. It is located on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee near the ancient city of Magdala, which is believed to be Mary Magdalene's place of birth. Mary Magdalene travelled with Jesus as one of his followers and is said to have been present at several key events in Jesus' life and ministry. According to the Gospels, Mary Magdalene was present at Jesus' crucifixion and burial and was the first person to witness his resurrection. She is venerated as a saint for her devotion to Jesus and her role in the early Christian Church.

In 2009, while building a hotel, the remains of an ancient synagogue dating back to the 1st century AD were discovered. As further excavations took place, the city of Magdala was slowly unfolding. Remains of houses, warehouses, mosaic floors, well-paved streets and traditional Jewish baths were uncovered. One of the most significant finds was the Magdala Stone found in the synagogue. The stone is the size of a small table depicting a carved image of a seven-branched Menorah (candelabrum). The Menorah, one of the oldest symbols of the Jewish faith, has been used in Jewish worship for thousands of years. The Hebrew Bible says that the Menorah was created by Moses. It was used in the tabernacle, a portable sanctuary, by the Israelites during their wanderings in the desert. Later, a much larger version was made for the Second Temple in Jerusalem.

However, in 70 AD, the Romans sacked Jerusalem and destroyed the Second Temple. The large Menorah was taken to Rome and eventually vanished.

The most famous representation of the Menorah can be found on The Arch of Titus in Rome. The triumphal arch, constructed to commemorate Titus' military victories, depicts on one of its walls a triumphal procession carrying the Menorah as part of their spoils following their conquest of Jerusalem.

Interestingly, the design of the Menorah on the Magdala Stone differs from the Menorah on the Arch of Titus. The carving on the stone shows straight branches, whereas the one on the triumphal arch is curved. Despite the display of a 6.5ft (2m) tall Menorah with curved branches outside the Hurva Synagogue in Jerusalem, the ongoing debate regarding the accurate depiction of the original Menorah remains unresolved.

Regardless of its exact design, the Menorah is a prominent symbol of Jewish identity, frequently featured in Jewish art and literature, replicated on coins and even adopted as Israel's national emblem.

As I venture further on my journey, I continue to discover incredible tales, yet my stomach is beginning to rumble with hunger. Given my proximity to the Sea of Galilee and ancient Magdala, once a fishing village, I'm in the mood for seafood. I've heard that the local specialty, St. Peter's Fish, is a freshwater delicacy in Galilee. The best way to enjoy it is to grill it and serve it whole, stuffed with herbs and vegetables. With my mouth watering, I look forward to savouring this delectable dish before heading to my next destination, Capernaum.