Exploring the Legendary Mount Ararat: A Journey Through History and Myth
"We love the mountain," Arthur tells me with shining eyes, "it's the sacred, founding mountain of Armenia." The term "founding mountain" caught my attention, as it aligns with the interpretation of Yonatan ben Uziel, explaining the mountain's exact location. Yitzhak Carmeli sets out on an adventure.
- יצחק כרמלי
- פורסם ב' חשון התשפ"ב
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And the Ark Rested Upon the Mountains of Ararat
"Three times a year, Passover, Sukkot, and Shavuot, when the mountain isn't covered by clouds...", Arthur, an Armenian non-Jew fluent in Hebrew and observant of mitzvot, tells us during the journey in Armenia.
The phrase "founding mountain" intrigued me. It perfectly reflects the interpretation of Yonatan ben Uziel, explaining precisely where the mountain is located, "the city of Armenia was built from it."
Furthermore, the translation talks about two mountains named Ararat, as the Bible mentions "mountains of Ararat." One is the Kurd's Mountain and the other is in Armenia, as the translation states.
Indeed, Mount Ararat consists of two peaks, the Greater Ararat, over 5000 meters high, and the Lesser, over 3500 meters.
Arthur, like other Armenians, cannot visit their beloved founding mountain due to its location in Turkey. Ongoing tensions and conflict with the Turks prevent them from doing so.
From almost every window in Yerevan, the capital of Armenia, you can gaze at the snowy peak throughout the year. Armenians and Arthur alike are confident that one day, the mountain where the Ark rested will return to Armenian territory.
