Near Kalya in Megilot Council, West Bank, Palestinian Territories — The Middle East (West Asia)

Ritual Bath

Photographed By Dale K. Benington, April 11, 2019

1. Ritual Bath Marker

Inscription. They labor with great diligence till the fifth hour, after which they assemble themselves into one place, and when they have clothed themselves in white veils, they bath their bodies in cold water, and after this purification is over they meet together in an apartment of their own ... while they go in a pure manner, into the dining room as into a certain holy temple ...
(Josephus Flavius, The War of the Jews 2.8.5).

Members of the sect were strict in their observance of the laws of ritual purity and maintained seven ritual baths located mostly in the vicinity of the refectory.
A suggested reconstruction of the ritual bath

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Settlements & Settlers.

Location. 31° 44.493′ N, 35° 27.556′ E. Marker is near Kalya, West Bank, in Megilot Council. Marker can be reached from National Route 90, 9 kilometers south of National Route 1, on the right when traveling south. Located near Highway 90 and about 1 kilometer from the western shores of the Dead Sea, in an archaeological site in the West Bank managed by Israel's Qumran National Park. Touch for map. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Qumran / קומראן (within shouting distance of this marker); The Community Rule

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(within shouting distance of this marker); The Bursar of the Congregation (within shouting distance of this marker); Kiln (within shouting distance of this marker); Cave 1 / מערת 1 (within shouting distance of this marker); The Refectory (within shouting distance of this marker); Pottery Storeroom (within shouting distance of this marker); Kitchen (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Kalya.

More about this marker. In 2019, because I traveled to Israel as part of a tour group, taking pictures of historical markers and recording location information for each marker that I photographed was a difficult assignment. Then too, having two bed knees and walking with a cane made keeping up with my tour group, much less recording location information as well, even more difficult. So I am using my Google Map skills, from at home, to provide the needed location information and map co-ordinates. Anyone that visits these markers is welcomed, and encouraged, to improve on the provided information.

Photographed By Dale K. Benington, March 11, 2013

2. Ritual Bath Marker

View of the marker next to the featured ritual bath.

Photographed By Dale K. Benington, April 11, 2019

3. Ritual Bath

Photographed By Dale K. Benington, April 11, 2019

4. Ritual Bath

Photographed By Dale K. Benington, April 11, 2019

5. Ritual Bath

Photographed By Dale K. Benington, April 11, 2019

6. Ritual Bath

Credits. This page was last revised on April 18, 2019. It was originally submitted on April 15, 2019, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. This page has been viewed 128 times since then and 5 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on April 15, 2019, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.