Most people are familiar with the major Jewish festivals of Rosh Hashanah and Passover. But there are many other minor festivals that the general public has not heard of. One of the most interesting Jewish holidays of the year is a rather minor festival that takes place in the middle of the winter called Tu […]
The 20th century was without a doubt the most eventful century for the Jewish people since the 1st century. The calamity of the Holocaust followed by the establishment of the State of Israel is more consequential than anything the Jewish people experienced collectively in two millennia. But no less historic than the return of the […]
In daily conversation, people often use the phrase “holy of holies” as a way to express a place that is superlatively private. For example, “Jane retreats into her holy of holies so that she can properly get her work done”. But what does the phrase actually mean? The original “Holy of Holies” was the most sacred part of […]
The Bible records the names of hundreds of places, both inside the tiny Land of Israel itself as well as throughout the vast territory comprising the Ancient Near East. Some places are well known to readers of the Bible, like Bethlehem and Nineveh. Others are more obscure, like Ziklag and Gurbaal. Many of these place names […]
Many readers of the New Testament are familiar with Paul’s statement at the end of his first letter to Corinthians regarding the absolute clarity which the future holds for those willing to abide in the murkiness of faith in the here and now: For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. […]
Although it is not as familiar as the names of other famous biblical places, Tel Arad is certainly one of the most important archaeological sites in Israel. But it is unfortunately not visited nearly as frequently as it should be. What makes it so important? In this post I would like to offer two answers. […]
As many of us have heard, the Eskimos have dozens of words for snow because this is so crucial to their daily lives. Although this claim has been discounted by modern linguists, it is nonetheless a well-known linguistic fact that each language specializes in the topics that are most vital to its own speakers. The […]
Appearing towards the end of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus’ teaching about the “narrow gate” is a familiar passage for many Christians: Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road is easy that leads to destruction, and there are many who take it. For the gate is narrow and […]
If you read the news from Israel regularly, you know that the last few days here (beginning Nov. 22, 2016) have been marked by widespread wildfires. Although it is still unclear what started these fires (a wave of terrorist arson is suspected), there is no doubt what has allowed them to spread so quickly: strong […]
The opening chapters of the biblical book of Genesis are among the most closely read words in the history of Western civilization. The story of the creation of the world has been endlessly quoted, analyzed and commented upon. Yet, one question that does not get enough attention is: why did God create Eve from the rib […]
