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A collection of 158 posts

Four Rivers and Four Kingdoms

Four Rivers and Four Kingdoms

For anyone who follows Middle Eastern politics and history even a little, the cycles of aggression and conflict between different groups in the region never end. Frankly, that is not new. It has been this way ever since the beginning. There seems to be an unending struggle as new hungry

Stop Running

Do you ever feel stressed or pressured, feel like running away? It's a common response to encountering stress. The world we live in is not for the faint of heart. For people of faith, for those who look to God, it's difficult to stay on course

What Kinds of Fish Were Eaten in Ancient Jerusalem?

What Kinds of Fish Were Eaten in Ancient Jerusalem?

Over the past century and a half, archaeologists have excavated a variety of sites in Jerusalem, bringing to light many aspects of everyday life in the biblical city. The examination of ceramic vessels for cooking and serving, as well as the uncovering of food waste, mainly comprised of discarded bones,

Multiple Heavens in the Bible and Three Books of Enoch

Multiple Heavens in the Bible and Three Books of Enoch

The corpus of texts attributed to the biblical figure Enoch represents some of the most significant apocalyptic literature from the Second Temple period. Named after the seventh patriarch from Adam, who, according to Genesis 5:24, “walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him” (וַיִ

The Revival of the Modern Hebrew Language

The Revival of the Modern Hebrew Language

Hidden away between the dense trees of the Hebrew University’s Givat Ram campus lies the past, present, and future of the Hebrew language. Disguised by its modest exterior and dwarfed by impressive new university faculties, two small buildings are home to the supreme institution of Hebrew in Israel and

The Angels Made Them Do It: The Origins of Evil

The Angels Made Them Do It: The Origins of Evil

Many people have heard an excuse: “The devil made me do it.” The great tempter, the Adversary, is often blamed for humanity’s weakness and moral collapse. The story of evil and sin usually begins in the Garden of Eden, where the serpent persuades Chava to eat from the forbidden

You Are God's Temple: 1 Corinthians 3:16

You Are God's Temple: 1 Corinthians 3:16

Apostle Paul was a first-century religious Jew, trained at the feet of the best rabbis of his time. Though he addresses primarily non-Jewish audiences, Shaul often writes as a rabbi, resorting to midrash and employing metaphors to illustrate his ideas. Sadly, his readers are not used to this

Are Those Horns on Moses' Head?

Are Those Horns on Moses' Head?

One of the most magnificent statues of Moses was crafted by Michelangelo, a famed Italian artist from the 14th and 15th centuries. It was commissioned by one of the popes, and today it graces the church of St. Peter in Rome. Enjoying this beautiful work of art, one cannot help

Was the Hebrew Bible Really Canonized at Jamnia?

Was the Hebrew Bible Really Canonized at Jamnia?

In the 1st century CE, Jamnia or Yavneh (יַבְנֶה) was a small town on Israel’s southern coastal plain, between Jaffa and Ashdod. It is widely believed that Jamnia hosted discussions on the establishment of the Jewish canon, and that the Hebrew Bible was canonized there. According

Is There Such a Thing as a Righteous War?

Is There Such a Thing as a Righteous War?

War is among the darkest realities of human existence. It leaves cities in ruins, families divided, and generations marked by trauma and loss. No sane person celebrates war, and few emerge from it unchanged. Yet history repeatedly reminds us of an uncomfortable truth: war is sometimes unavoidable. Nations invade. Empires

Discover The World of First Century Rabbis Jesus Knew

Discover The World of First Century Rabbis Jesus Knew

It's not uncommon for people to admit today that Jesus was a Jew and even a rabbi. After all that is how his disciples often addressed him (Matt 26:25, 26:49; Mark 9:5, 10:51, 11:21, 14:45; John 1:38, John 1:49, 3:

Apostle Paul's Christian and Jewish Identity

Apostle Paul's Christian and Jewish Identity

It is quite common for people to think of Paul as a Christian. After all, so much of what is called Christian is based on his teachings, which are a part of the Scriptures all Christians recognize. But surprisingly, though he had many opportunities to do so, Paul did not

The Synagogue of Freedmen in First Century Jerusalem

The Synagogue of Freedmen in First Century Jerusalem

The Synagogue of Freedmen (sunagogeh ton libertinon; συναγωγή των Λιβερτίνων) is mentioned in Acts 6:9. The Greek term "Freedmen" (Libertinos; Λιβερτῖνος) is unfamiliar to many modern people. But it is a loanword from Latin libertini, and designates those who were "freed slaves." In the Roman

Facing the Holy and Each Other in Prayer

Facing the Holy and Each Other in Prayer

For some, prayer is free-flowing, meandering from one topic to another, like a summer breeze, a living dialogue, or a musical improvisation. For others, prayer is something more formal, organized, and structured with care. It's not that one approach is superior to another, but there is room

Second Temple Era Stone Inscription Mentions Jerusalem

Second Temple Era Stone Inscription Mentions Jerusalem

During the winter of 2017, archaeologists working in a Jerusalem suburb, discovered the foundations of a Roman structure dating to the 1st century B.C.E. What they found was building remnants and a part of a common round column. The exciting part is that the column had writing on

A Morning Prayer: May Your Will Always Be...

A Morning Prayer: May Your Will Always Be...

I wanted to share with you a Morning Prayer and, more specifically, a musical piece I created based on it. The words of this song are inspired by the words of the traditional morning blessings found in the Siddur (Jewish Prayer Book). The person who is praying in the early

Simon and the Jews of Cyrene

Simon and the Jews of Cyrene

During the Second Temple Period, many Jews lived outside of Israel. And the city of Cyrene in Northern Africa was one of the major Jewish Diaspora centers. You may not have heard much about this city because its glory has disappeared from the pages of history, and it stands in

The Riddle of The Broken Matzah

The Riddle of The Broken Matzah

There is no Passover without Matzah. If you're not familiar with it, it's what Jews call the unleavened bread, a tradition dating back to the days of Moses. Every year, Passover is commemorated by eating this simple bread - Matzah (מַצָּה) and also by remembering

Why Would Christians Say That Christ Has Not Risen?

Why Would Christians Say That Christ Has Not Risen?

A few years back, the Gospel Herald reported that according to a BBC poll, 25 % of Christians in Great Britain said, “Jesus’ resurrection was not real.” It turns out that according to the survey results, one in four of those who considered themselves Christians in Great Britain do not truly

Does Torah Teach Resurrection?

Does Torah Teach Resurrection?

The resurrection of the dead techiyat hametim (תְּחִיַּת הַמֵּתִים) has always been a belief that some embraced and some rejected. Historically, while some Jews were very optimistic about such prospects, others were doubtful of them. Pagans for the most part have not seen resurrection

Fifth Century Samaritan Inscription

Fifth Century Samaritan Inscription

A new Tzur Natan neighborhood construction in central Israel was preceded by a dig. The excavation unearthed a rare written record. It points to a Samaritan business from 1600 years ago. The Greek inscription mentions a wealthy landowner, ‘Master Adios’. In the 5th century, the heartland of Israel was populated

Honor A Physician

Honor A Physician

The Book of Sirach, also known as Ecclesiasticus or Ben Sira, is a Jewish wisdom text from the Second Temple period, written by Jesus ben Sira around 180-175 BCE in Jerusalem. It is part of the Apocrypha in many Christian traditions and is included in the Septuagint, though it

Four Faces and Four Voices

Four Faces and Four Voices

The books of Enoch preserve many curious visions. At times, they present ideas not mentioned by anyone else. And what always amazes me personally are all the rich details that Enoch texts include. Take this seemingly typical scene where Enoch describes what he saw in heaven, "I saw a

The Angels of Punishment in Enoch and Revelation

The Angels of Punishment in Enoch and Revelation

What comes to mind when you hear the word "angel?" Most people visualize some sort of human-looking figure with wings. Yes, some angels do have wings, but wings are not their most common feature. Best we can tell, there are many types of angels, and their duties,

Harps in the World-to-Come

Harps in the World-to-Come

I wish to share with you a curious ancient discussion about the inner workings of the temple that once stood in Jerusalem that I came across. Apart from the slaughter of the animals and the smoke that carried the flavor of sacrifices to the heavens, the Jerusalem Temple was a