Jerusalem, Judaea, Masada, Essenes De Nuptiis Philologiae et Mercurii, VI (De Geometria), 678-679 “ … The second height of Judaea next to Jerusalem, on which side is the spring Callirrhoë. On the west are the Essenes who live without sexual intercourse and all desires. From here somewhat in the interior is the fortress Masada, where […]
On the Judicial Powers of Jewish Authorities “The Jews, who live under Roman common law, shall address the courts in the usual way in those cases which do not concern so much their superstition as court, laws and rights, and all of them shall bring actions and defend themselves under the Roman laws; in conclusion, […]
Jewish Rites “The Jews shall be bound by their rites, while we shall imitate the ancients in conserving their privileges, for it was established in their laws and confirmed by our divinity, that those who are subject to the rule of the Illustrious Patriarchs (e.g. Jewish Leaders), that is the Archsynagogues, the patriarchs, the elders, […]
Protection of Jews and Synagogues “Your excellent authority [the Praefectus Praetorio of Illyricum] shall order the governors to assemble, in order that they shall learn and know, that it is necessary to repel the assaults of those who attack Jews, and that their synagogues should remain in their accustomed peace.” Jews Converting to Christianity to […]
Prohibition of Christian Establishing Prices for Merchandise of Jews “To the Jews: No outsider to the religion of the Jews shall set prices for the Jews when merchandise is offered for sale: for it is just to assign to each man what is his own. Province-governors shall not allow, therefore, that a controller or a […]
Protection of Synagogues “It is sufficiently established that the sect of the Jews is prohibited by no law. We are therefore gravely disturbed by the interdiction imposed in some places on their assemblies. Your Sublime Magnitude [the Master of the Soldiers in the East] shall, upon reception of this order, repress with due severity the […]
The 9th of Av/ Tisha B’av “On the anniversary of the day when the city fell and was destroyed by the Roman, there are crowds who mourn, old women and old men dressed in tatters and rags, and from the Top of the Mount of Olives this throng laments over the destruction of its sanctuary. […]
Synagogues It is alleged that Christian arsonists burned a synagogue in the Italian city of Aquilea. In a letter to Emperor Theodoric, Saint Ambrose denied the allegation, characterizing the event as “an act of providence.” Source: Ruggini, idem.
One day in 1989 rumor reached me that monumental Israelite architecture had accidentally been uncovered at Tel Jezreel in the Jezreel Valley in northern Israel. I was then, as now, a professional archaeologist who studies the Biblical period. I have always been inspired by the Bible and the historical events described in it, as well […]
Prohibition on Marriage of Christians and Jews “No Jew shall take a Christian woman in marriage, neither shall a Christian marry a Jewess. Indeed, if anyone shall commit something of the kind, his crime shall be considered as adultery, with the right to accuse allowed the general public. It is prohibited by this law’s severity […]