Archaeology and Zionism
For Zionism, archaeology became a connection to the Land of Israel and proof of the existence of Jewish life in the area in ancient times. Prof. Steven Fine, Yeshiva University, Produced by Down Low Pictures for COJS
First Revolt to Bar Kokhba
Jewish Archaeology – Discoveries
Every once in a while, you can find one artifact which summarizes a whole lot of information and gives you a new or better vision of what existed before. Prof. Steven Fine, Yeshiva University, Produced by Down Low Pictures for COJS
Ancient Synagogues
Jews came together in synagogues because Jews need holy places when there is no Temple. There is an architectural identity between synagogues and the Temple. Prof. Steven Fine, Yeshiva University, Produced by Down Low Pictures for COJS
Babatha Letter
À la mode, Babatha’s document registering her En-Gedi date orchards was drawn up according to the prevalent Roman legal customs of the early second century C.E. Like the majority of her other documents, her land registration is written in Greek, the official language of government and business used in the Roman courts, not in Aramaic, […]
Cave of Letters
The entrances to the Cave of Letters (the two openings slightly right of center in the photo) lie 300 feet below the desert plateau and 650 above the valley floor. Forty years ago, Yigael Yadin explored the cave and found a trove of items that he associated with warriors of Bar-Kokhba, the leader of the […]
Bar Kokhba Weights
Lead weight inscribed with the name “Simeon son of Kosiba…Nasi (prince) of Israel.” discovered near Beth Guvrin, Judean Shephelah.
Steven Fine. “From Meeting House to Sacred Realm- Holiness and the Ancient Synagogue.” Sacred Realm- The Emergence of the Synagogue in the Ancient World. Ed. Steven Fine. New York; Oxford- Oxford University Press, 1996.
The synagogue is among the most influential religious institutions in the history of Western civilization. In this place of “coming together” (Greek synagoge, Hebrew beit haknesset), Judaism created a communal religious experience that previously was almost unknown. 1 Within the ancient synagogue believers assembled to read the Sacred Scripture, to pray, and to form community with their God. This “democratic” […]
Judea Capta Coin (Back)
A Judea Capta coin, minted by the Romans portraying Judea weeping under a palm tree symbolizing the Roman victory in the First Jewish Revolt (reverse).
Judea Capta Coin (Front)
A Judea Capta coin, minted by the Romans portraying Vespasian the Roman commander of the northern campaign during the First Jewish Revolt and Roman emperor, ruled 69-79 CE, (front).
Masada Ramp
Aerial view of Masada and siege ramp built by the Romans