In 70 C.E. Roman legions destroyed the Jerusalem Temple, Judaism’s holiest structure and the “dwelling place of God’s name.” Despite this loss, Judaism was to survive and prosper. In the following centuries, the synagogue itself came to be seen as a “holy place.” Does this mean, as some people suppose, that the synagogue as we […]
Herod’s largest and most beautiful project was the rebuilding of the Jerusalem Temple. He began in 20/19 B.C.E., yet work on the details was still proceeding long after his death when the Temple was destroyed by the Romans in 70 C.E.
Archaeology vividly recreates bustle of pilgrims two thousand years ago Solomon’s temple was destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 B.C. when they conquered Jerusalem. A half century later, the returning exiles, under the leadership of Ezra and Nehemiah, built the Second Temple, a modest structure that gradually fell into disrepair. This temple was remodeled and […]
Were there synagogues while the Temple still stood in Jerusalem? Nearly 200 ancient synagogues have been discovered by archaeologists at numerous sites in the Land of Israel as well as in the diaspora. After the Roman destruction of the Jerusalem Temple in 70 C.E., the major architectural feature of the synagogue was the Torah Shrine. […]
“Shekel of Israel” Rare Coin from Year 5 of the Revolt 1 Material- Silver Denomination- Shekel Size- 8/10 inch in diameter Rare Coin from Year 5 of the Revolt 2 General Information- As this rare Year 5 coin shows, the Jewish rebels were still minting coins even at this late stage of the […]
Until the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls, the oldest known Bible dated to the ninth or tenth century.
Was ancient Judaism a missionary religion? Well, it depends on what you mean by “missionary.” In one sense—say, in contrast to Christianity—Judaism, with one exception of short duration, never was. From earliest times Christianity saw the propagation of its faith as one of its central tenets. Early Christians taught that paganism was empty and worthless […]
Sabbetai Zvi was a manic-depressive who had a huge effect on world Jewry in the Ottoman Empire and on the study of Kabbalah. See also: Shabbatai Zvi and Sabbateanism
Overview Life in the Land (Joshua and Judges), Christine Hayes, Open Yale Courses (Transcription), 2006. Prophets and Kings (1 and 2 Samuel), Christine Hayes, Open Yale Courses (Transcription), 2006. Response to Catastrophe (1 and 2 Kings), Christine Hayes, Open Yale Courses (Transcription), 2006. Biblical History- From Joshua to Samuel, c. 1200-1000 BCE, Steven Feldman, COJS. […]
Gilded metal, 14th century, Catalonia (copy of the original in the Museum of l’Espluga de Francolí). Bears an inscription in Hebrew meaning “For seven days eat matzot in peace.” To be considered suitable for consumption on Passover by the Jewish community, matzot had to be marked with special seals like this one.
Generations of Christian Pilgrims to the Holy land brought home traditional mementos such as pressed wild flowers from Jerusalem, olive-wood covered Bibles, and a homely little ball of dried-out twigs with miraculous properties—the Rose of Jericho (Anastatica hierochuntica). The desiccated skeletons of the small desert plant are still sold at souvenir shops in Jerusalem’s Old […]
Geniza Document, trans. S. D. Goitein, in Mosseri Collection, L-12, Letters of Medieval Jewish Traders (Princeton, 1973), pp. 213–15. Excerpted from Norman Stillman, Jews of Arab Lands, 247-248. (August 1198) to Aden. Immediately after his arrival he was brought before the self-styled caliph, who said to him: “Become a Muslim, or you will cause the death of your brethren.” […]
Overview Overview- Mercantilism Secondary sources Israel, Jonathan. “An Amsterdam Jewish Merchant of the Golden Age- Jeronimo Nunes Da Costa (1620-1697), Agent of Portugal in the Dutch Republic.” Studia Rosenthaliana 18, no. 1 (1984)- 21-40. Israel, Jonathan. “The Economic Contribution of Dutch Sephardi Jewry to Holland’s Golden Age, 1595-1713.” Tijdschrift voor Geschiedenis 96, no. 4 (1983)- […]
The Talmud is a compact, elliptical, but many-volumed collection of Jewish law and teachings. The achievement of Jews both in ancient Palestine and in Babylonia, the Talmud has come down to us in two basic editions. The Palestinian version, compiled around 400 A.D., is known as the Jerusalem Talmud or “Yerushalmi”, and, oddly enough, is […]
Until recently, archaeologists knew about Warren’s Shaft and its small well, but then a secret shaft was discovered which led to the main water source of Jerusalem.
This is the way King David walked when he approached the Jebusite city of Jerusalem from the underground Warren’s Shaft.
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