Archaeological discovery affirms Jewish claim to land
Menorah stamp (photo: Israel Antiquities Authority)
A recent archaeological find provides further proof of the constant presence of Jews in Israel. While excavating an area near Akko for an upcoming railroad construction project, the Israel Antiquities Authority discovered a 1,500-year-old bread stamp. The stamp, used at that time to mark baked goods as kosher and as coming from specific bakeries, is ceramic and bears the image of the seven-branched Temple Menorah:
Comments (8) »According to Gilad Jaffe and Dr. Danny Syon, the directors of the excavation on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority, “A number of stamps bearing an image of a menorah are known from different collections. The Temple Menorah, being a Jewish symbol par excellence, indicates the stamps belonged to Jews, unlike Christian bread stamps with the cross pattern which were much more common in the Byzantine period.”
There were no Muslims in the region at the time — because the Quran had not yet been written.
According to Syon, “This is the first time such a stamp is discovered in a controlled archaeological excavation, thus making it possible to determine its provenance and date of manufacture. The stamp is important because it proves that a Jewish community existed in the settlement of Uza in the Christian-Byzantine period. The presence of a Jewish settlement so close to Akko – a region that was definitely Christian at this time – constitutes an innovation in archaeological research.”
Tuesday, January 10th, 2012 at 11:56 AM | Stand for Israel
Clay seal from Second Temple period unearthed
Photo Credit: Israel Antiquities Authority
Archaeologists in Jerusalem uncovered a Second Temple artifact which testifies to the ritual practices performed in the Holy Temple. The artifact, a clay seal the size of a button, is inscribed with the Aramaic words Daka Le’Ya, meaning “Pure for God.”
The inscription dates back to the first century, and is consistent with Jewish literature which teaches that no oil was to be used for lighting the menorah in the Temple unless it had the signature of the High Priest stating that it is “Pure for God.”
The fact that this ancient artifact has been brought to light on Hanukkah is no coincidence. While there were many miracles performed for the Jewish people when they waged war against the much mightier Greek army, it is the miracle of the oil that we celebrate.
After the Jewish people succeeded in driving the Greeks out of their land, the priests entered the Holy Temple to perform the Temple service that had been prohibited by the Greeks. When they entered, they found a Temple that had been completely desecrated – the instruments of service were destroyed and the oil used for lighting the menorah was defiled.
Amidst the havoc which prevailed in the Temple, the Cohanim, or Priests, found one jar of oil remaining which had the seal of the High Priest – “Pure for God.” The jar contained enough oil for one day and it would take an additional eight days to produce more pure oil fit for lighting. Yet, God performed a miracle and the oil lasted for eight days.
The service of lighting the menorah in the Temple was called the Aish Tamid or “Eternal Flame.” The Cohen (priest) would light the menorah every morning and it would continue to burn through the following morning, so that the menorah would be lit continuously.
What is unique about the light of the menorah which was lit in the Temple and that we light today on Chanukah? When describing the creation of the…
Read More » Comments (0) »Tuesday, December 27th, 2011 at 9:45 AM | Amichai Farkas
An ancient text goes online
There are plenty of examples of technology being used for the wrong purposes — but here’s a use of technology that enlightens and educates:
Almost one week after debuting online, the website featuring the 2,000-year-old Dead Sea Scrolls has already drawn more than a million hits.
The Israel Museum and Google Israel launched the site Sept. 26. They say interest in the ancient scrolls has exceeded expectations.
“We didn’t know it would be so popular; we’ve had so many visitors in such a short period of time,” Dr. Susan Hazan, the Israel Museum curator overseeing the Dead Sea Scrolls Digital Project, said in the Jerusalem Post.
Amazing — we do indeed live in an age of wonders!
Comments (12) »
Monday, October 10th, 2011 at 2:50 PM | David Kuner
Bibles rescued from Syria in secret op
An Israeli librarian inspects a rare holy book before it goes on exhibit at the National Library in Jerusalem (photo: AP)
Nearly a dozen ancient holy books have finally made their way to Israel from Syria, following a multi-continent, James Bond-style operation. They traveled from Damascus to New York and finally to Jerusalem, where they are being kept at the National Library.
Comments (15) »The 11 holy books, some dating back 1,000 years, were written by copyist of the Scriptures around the world and arrived in the Syrian capital in different periods. The Jewish community took pride in them and guarded them meticulously, helping them survive the political upheavals that took place in the city over the years.
The Damascus books are considered the world’s most ancient Bibles after the Aleppo Codex, which compared to them is torn and shabby.
The Rabin government decided to bring the books to Israel in 1995. The defense establishment, governmental organizations and immigrants from Syria took part in the secret operation.
:It was one of the most important operations we participated in,” says Eliyahu Hasson, chairman of the community of Damascus Jews in Israel, who served as director-general of the Transportation Ministry at the time.
Judy Feld Carr, a Canadian pensioner who turned helping Syria’s Jewry into her life’s work, lauds the operation as well. “Out of all the things I have done in my life, this operation was the most brilliant,” she declares.
Thursday, October 6th, 2011 at 3:19 PM | David Kuner
Photo Friday visits the Gates of Jerusalem!
The Zion Gate in 1860
Today we’ll not only go to Israel — we’ll go back in time! This picture of the Zion Gate, one of the eleven gates in the walls around the Old City of Jerusalem, was taken in 1860. These walls were built in 1540 by Suleiman the Magnificent, then the sultan of the Ottoman Empire.
Check out more amazing historical shots of Jerusalem – as well as a pictures of what the Zion Gate looks like today.
Comments (5) »Friday, September 16th, 2011 at 1:01 PM | David Kuner
"informing, equipping and mobilizing individuals and churches to support the
State of Israel"
State of Israel"
Recent Posts
U.S. closes embassy in Syria
Remembering the victims of the 2002 terror war against Israel
It's Photo Friday!
Iran's a joke -- but the world's not laughing
Palestinians throw shoes at U.N. Secretary-General
