While we see modern Israel as a token of the coming Kingdom of God and a sign of Christ’s return, the Jewish state is really no different from any other contemporary country. Israel is a modern, progressive nation, interested in the development of its resources and the well-being and p…
Desert Rhubarb, a Dead Sea Canal and Torah from Vending Machines Read More »
Jews from India, who believe that they are one of the ten so-called lost tribes of Israel, have settled at Kiryat Arba near Hebron, reports the BBC News’ Jerusalem Diary[1]. The Hebron region is, of course, in the territory occupied by Israel since the 1967 Six Day War and therefore a controversia…
Jews From India Move to Israel Read More »
During an excavation in the City of David National Park in Jerusalem, archaeologists have discovered a small golden bell that may be from the high priest’s garments (Elad Benari, ‘Archaeologists discover high priest’s bell?’ Israel National News, 21 July 2011[1]).
Archaeologists Eli Shu…
Golden Bell and Remains from 70 AD Discovered During Jerusalem Excavations Read More »
France had welcomed Jewish immigrants during the interwar period, many of them from Eastern Europe. But in the 1930s, as refugees fleeing Nazi persecution increased, France began to reassess this ‘open-door’ policy. When German forces invaded France on May 10, 1940, there were about 350,000 Jews…
The Fate of the Jews of France in World War 2 Read More »
Construction work on a new metro rail line in Rome will provide a unique opportunity to excavate the Forum of Peace, reports Rossella Lorenzi[1]. The Forum of Peace was built in the first century AD by the Flavian emperors, and is sometimes known as the Forum of Vespasian, after the founder of the F…
Vespasian’s Forum of Peace at Rome to be Excavated Read More »
Israel’s first large-scale sea wave power plant has been built on the Jaffa port’s breakwater near Tel Aviv (Honey Garcia, “Wave power unit installed in Israel’s Jaffa port”, EcoSeed (29 July 2010)[1]). Constructed by Tel Aviv-based SDE Energy Limited, the wave power plant is an initial st…
When the Moabite Stone was discovered in 1868, it provided firm support for the historical accuracy of the Bible at a time when little direct evidence existed. The nineteenth century saw the growth of exploration in the Middle East and especially the Holy Land. Scholars and travellers moved througho…
The Moabite Stone: An Important Nineteenth Century Discovery Read More »
According to Dr Avi Shapira, the chairman of Israel’s inter-ministry steering committee for earthquake preparedness, a strong earthquake can be expected in Israel within the next fifty years, reports Amiram Cohen (“Before the next big shake-up”, Haaretz.com, 17 December, 2010[1]). “Israel is…
Preparing for the Earthquake Read More »
The Arch of Titus is well known to most of us as the monument in the city of Rome commemorating the subjugation of Judea in 70 AD. What may not be so well known is that the relief sculptures that depict scenes from the victory procession were originally painted in colour. Indeed, only part of the sc…
The Arch of Titus in Colour Read More »
Many anecdotes circulate in Russia to illustrate President Vladimir Putin’s positive attitude toward individual Jews and toward the Jewish community generally. There is the story about the retired teacher who Putin called on during an official visit to Israel in 2005. She had not seen him since sh…
Putin and the Jews: Friend or Foe? Read More »
