The Ark Stopped Here: Beit Shemesh and Environs Quiz

Answer: The Ark of the Covenant was returned after being captured by the Philistines.

According to the Book of Samuel I, the Israelites took the Ark of the Covenant with them into battle against the Philistines. The Philistines captured the Ark and took it to Ashdod, where they placed it in their temple which contained an idol. The idol was later found prostrated in front of the Ark.

The Philistines continued moving the Ark from city to city, where it repeatedly brought them bad luck. Finally, they made "a new wagon, pulled by two cows that were unused to work. They walked straight on the road to Beit Shemesh and mooed and the Philistine captains walked behind them to the border of Beit Shemesh". (Samuel I, 6:12)

Answer: In the Judean Hills.

Beit Shemesh is located in the Judean Hills, approximately 38 kilometers west of Jerusalem, at an elevation of 300 meters. Beit Shemesh's location, almost equidistant to Tel Aviv and Jerusalem and 20 minutes from Ben Gurion Airport, makes it a convenient home for commuters.

Answer: 1991

Modern day Beit Shemesh was settled by immigrants from Bulgaria and North Africa. For years it was a small settlement, and classified as a "development town". In 1991 Beit Shemesh was "upgraded" to a city. In the early 1990s a significant influx of new residents, from the former Soviet Union, Ethiopia and from English-speaking countries, arrived in Beit Shemesh, and the city expanded accordingly. Present-day Beit Shemesh can be divided into three distinct sections: the old Beit Shemesh, Givat Sharett, a middle-class community of villas and townhouses, and Ramat Beit Shemesh, which is largely ultra-Orthodox.

Answer: A stalactite cave

The stalactite cave, also called the Soreq Cave, can be reached by driving through the northern industrial area of Beit Shemesh. The cave was discovered accidentally by people working in a nearby quarry. The cave is not enormous (82 meters long and 60 meters wide), but it houses some magnificent stalactite and stalagmite formations.

A visit to the cave is popular with both Israelis and tourists. (Information for this question came from the web page of the Israel Natural Parks and Reservations Authority.)

Answer: A sculpture park

Efik Peli and his wife Ada, both artists, contributed this little gem of a park, which is located right next to the Peli's home in the old part of Beit Shemesh. The sculptures are frequently based on biblical themes, like the Jacob's Ladder constructed partly from tank treads (Golan was in tank corp), as well as a sculpture of the Ark of the Covenant and of Rachel weeping for her children.

In addition to this special park, Beit Shemesh does indeed have a rose garden, a monument to fallen soldiers, and a park where young children can learn road safety.

Answer: Samson lived in the area between Tzora and Eshtaol.

The story of Samson is told in the book of Judges. Describing his birth, Judges says "The woman gave birth to a son and called him by the name Samson, and the youth grew and was blessed by the LORD. And the spirit of the LORD began to move him in the camp of Dan between Tzora and Eshtaol". (Judges 13: 24-25.) The intersection of highways 38 and 443, which lies midway between Tzora and Eshtaol, is called "Samson's Intersection".

Answer: Dan

Originally, the tribe of Dan was allotted the area near Beit Shemesh, although later on, this tribe migrated north. There is no archaeological evidence to support the idea that the biblical Dan, son of the patriarch Jacob, was buried near Beit Shemesh.

However, there is a strong folk tradition associating Dan with this particular tomb. Dan's tomb is a popular spot for pilgrimages, particularly on the new moon.

Answer: A large underground water reservoir

The tel outside of Beit Shemesh goes back to the iron age, but the most interesting finds are from the biblical period, 10-7 B.C.E. Apparently, Beit Shemesh was an important town, and the remains reveal considerable financial investments. Fortified walls, pottery shards and an olive press were all discovered in the tel, but these are not unique finds.

The large, cruciform shaped underground water reservoir is the first of its kind found from this period. (Information for this question came from the Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs web site.)

Answer: Grapes

The area around Beit Shemesh is known for its grape cultivation. The Israeli wine industry, which once produced primarily sweet wines for ritual use, has improved tremendously over the last decade or so. Many small wineries in the Beit Shemesh area are producing award-winning fine wines.

In addition to grape products, one may also fine excellent goat cheeses and olive products in the Beit Shemesh environs.

Answer: To make condolence calls on the families of schoolgirls murdered by a Jordanian soldier.

In March of 1997, a group of Israeli school girls were on an outing at the "Peace Island", near the Israeli-Jordanian border. Suddenly, a Jordanian soldier opened fire on the group, mowing down seven young girls. The soldier was later found to be mentally unbalanced. King Hussein journeyed to Beit Shemesh, where he made condolence calls on all seven families, sometimes kneeling on the floor in order to speak with the bereaved families, who were seated on low chairs, in accordance with Jewish custom.

While the murder of these innocent children has left a sadness over Beit Shemesh, residents will never forget the humanity and the humility of King Hussein. When he passed away some years later, some of the bereaved families joined the Israeli delegation to the King's funeral.