The Hasmoneans, for their part, were aware of the goodwill borne to them by most, but not all, Egyptian Jews. They sought to strengthen the ties between the two communities in many ways; for example, by inviting the Egyptian Jews to join them in the celebration of the newly established Feast of Hannukah, to commemorate […]
In the latter part of the reign of Ptolemy VIII Euergetes II (145-116 B.C.E.), thus two synagogues were founded In Xenephyris, near Damanhur, and in Nitriai (modern Wadi Natrun or, more probably, el-Barnugi) in the Western Delta (CIJ II, Nos. 1441-1442; Horbury-Noy, Nos. 24-25). Other synagogues were founded by individuals, either personally or in affiliation […]
While Judaea, under the reign of Antiochus IV Epiphanes (175 – 163 B.C.E.), was being racked by the struggles between “traditionalists” and “Hellenists,” by the persecutions, and by the revolt of the Maccabees, the Jewish diaspora in Egypt had attained the apogee of its successful trajectory, under the reign of Ptolemy VI Philometor (185 – […]
These two Jews of “the epigone,” born in Egypt, have pure Greek names. Had the document not specified that they were Ioudaioi, Jews, there would be no way of guessing this fact. However, dealing as it does with two Jews, the papyrus and especially its last lines suddenly take on new meaning. A “portrait” is […]
The Oniads were the descendants of Zadok, high priest in the time of King Solomon. They had occupied the office of high priest since Onias I, son of Jaddus, the high priest who had, according to legend, opened the gates of Jerusalem to the victorious Alexander, on the high priesthood until the advent of Jason […]
In the seventh year of the reign of Ptolemy son of Ptolemy and Cleopatra II, gods Epiphaneis, when Philostratos was priest of Alexander and the gods Soteres and the gods Adelphoi and the gods Euergetai and the gods Philopatores and the gods Epiphaneis and the gods Philometores, Aspasia daughter of Chrysermos being athlophoros of Berenice […]
Apollonios son of Protogenes, Jew of the Epigone, has lent to Sostratos son of Neoptolemos, Jew of the epigone, two talents three thousand drachmas of copper money without interest for one year from the date above written on the security of the house belonging to him and its court and all appurtenances situated at Apias […]
Zenon Archive/Tebtunis Papyrus III 817; CPJUD. I 23 We have reason to believe that, by and large, the Jews of Egypt observed the Judaic commandments. A papyrus from the “Zenon Archive” dating from the third century B.C.E. attests the respect of the Sabbath: in a tally of brick deliveries, the number of bricks delivered on […]
Papyrus Enteuxeis 23; CPJUD. I 128 A papyrus, containing the complaint of a woman married to a Jewish man. She had addressed her case (May 11, 218 B.C.E.) to the king: To King Ptolemy greeting from Helladote, daughter of Philonides. I am being wronged by Jonathas, the Jew … He has agreed by a written […]
According to a legend preserved in the so-called Letter of Aristeas (no one knows who actually wrote it), the Septuagint translation of the Bible was commissioned by Ptolemy II Philadelphus of Egypt so that he would have a copy of the Jewish lawbook for his famous library in Alexandria. To secure the cooperation of Eleazer, […]