Jala
A town very close to Bethlehem in Judah, on the road to Bethsur[1]
Description
The group of Disciples accompanying Jesus came on pilgrimage to the Nativity cave in Bethlehem. It is almost time to hit the road again, and Jesus says: ‘‘Come. We will eat before leaving...’’ ‘‘Where, my Son?’’ ‘‘At Jala. It is very close. And tomorrow we will go to Bethsur’’[2]. This is the only occasion where Jala is mentioned in the entire work. The name of this village does not seem to appear either in the Bible or in any common ancient source. Therefore, this mention can be considered as a "rare knowledge" of Maria Valtorta!
Its name
Jala, Beit Jala, The house of pastures
Where is it mentioned in the work?
EMV 207.
Learn more about this place
This small village is located 3 km northwest of the Bethlehem cave, and 1.8 km west of Rachel’s Tomb, opposite Bethlehem relative to the road to Hebron. Today, it is a town with a strong Christian community, which has six churches, the oldest being dedicated to the Virgin Mary.
It is right next to Beit Jala, in Bet Sahour, that tradition places the shepherds’ field.
The very popular St. Nicholas (Nicholas of Myra) later stayed there to be as close as possible to the place of the Nativity.
Explore
- 31° 43’ 00’’ N / 35° 11’ 00’’ E /
- +840m.
Notes and references
- ↑ Article partially written based on the Geographical Dictionary of the Gospel, J.-F. LAVÈRE.
- ↑ EMV 207.10.