Kenes Christian Tours Blog

Khamsa hamsa Israel

Hamseh good luck charm

The hamseh (literally “five” in Arabic) is a hand with the palm facing outward in order to ward off the “evil eye.” It’s a symbol of blessing and protection, often worn as an amulet, to protect the wearer from evil.    …
Mezuzah

MEZUZAH

Mezuzah literally means “doorpost.” It is a decorated rectangular silver, brass, ceramic, olive wood or stone box that Jews attach to the doorpost of their house and gates.       “And you shall write them upon the doorposts of your…
A shofar Holy Land Icon

SHOFAR

A shofar comes from the horn of a ram (a male sheep) or goat or antelope (kudu).           Yemenite Jews did not have sheep or goats, so they used the horn of an antelope. Most animal…
st. Peter Fish

St. PETER’S FISH

St. Peter’s fish is said to be found naturally in only two places: the Sea of Galilee and Lake Victoria at the headwaters of the Nile.         It’s called St. Peter’s fish because of the following passage:…
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POMEGRANATE

The pomegranate is named as one of the “seven species” of fruits and grains found throughout the Promised Land, the land of milk and honey.         “For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good…
Jerusalem Cross

JERUSALEM CROSS

The Jerusalem Cross, with four small crosses surrounding a large cross (with all the bars equidistant from the center).         ©Gila Yudkin Then Jesus told his disciples, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny…
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LOAVES AND FISH

The feeding of the five thousand by the shores of the Sea of Galilee is the only miracle recorded in all four Gospels. Matthew 14:21, Mark 6:44, Luke 9:14, John 6:10     “We have here only five loaves of…
Menorah, Jerusalem

Menorah

The menorah was the seven-branched candelabrum first designed for the Tabernacle according to the Lord’s instructions.       “Make a lampstand of pure gold and hammer it out, base and shaft; its flowerlike cups, buds and blossoms shall…
Tel Megiddo National Park

ARMAGEDDON (MEGIDDO)

According to the Book of Revelation, Chapter 16, Armageddon is where the forces of good will finally triumph over the forces of evil.           “They are spirits of demons performing miraculous signs, and they go out…
Caesarea

Caesarea Maritima

Caesarea Maritima was originally built in 20 BC as a port city by Herod the Great and named in honor of his Roman patron, Augustus Caesar.         “At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion…