Water Tunnel Discovered in Jerusalem

More archaeology news: Eilat Mazar has discovered a water tunnel from the First Temple era in the City of David.  She theorizes that the tunnel may have been used by King David’s warriors to purify themselves after the conquest of Jerusalem.  This is of course mere speculation, but the find itself is quite interesting.  One [...]

Discoveries from the 10th Century BCE

The tenth century BCE, the period of King David according to the Bible, has so far eluded archaeologists.  This may be about to change, however, since archaeologists at Khirbet Qeiyafa say they have uncovered olive pits and inscriped pottery from that period.  Scholars are already debating the significance (or lack thereof) of these discoveries, but [...]

Encyclopedia of Race and Zionism

Macmillan has published an Encyclopedia of Race and Racism which contains an entry on Zionism.  A Z-Word podcast explains why we should worry about this.
1. The very fact that Zionism appears in an encyclopedia devoted to racism is worrying, especially since the encyclopedia contains no other articles devoted to types of nationalism or even an [...]

For and against Christian Zionism

The National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA has produced a brochure which criticizes Christian Zionism.  An interesting take on this matter can be found at Answers for the Faith.

Endorsement of Obama by Judaic Studies Scholars

JEWISH STUDIES SCHOLARS IN SUPPORT OF BARACK OBAMA
As Americans we support Barack Obama for president because we believe that he is the best person to lead our country through these difficult times. Senator Obama’s firm grasp of the issues, his ability to work with diverse groups of people, and his humane and progressive social vision [...]

God in Biblical Theology

Dr. Benjamin Sommer, Professor of Bible at the Jewish Theological Seminary, wrote a thought-provoking piece for Mixed Multitudes about the God of the Bible:
I just finished a book, The Bodies of God and the World of Ancient Israel, which will be published next year by Cambridge University Press. In it I describe an ancient Near [...]

Desecration of Cemetery in Romania

A Jewish cemetery in Bucharest has been desecrated, with about 200 markers damaged.  Jewish leaders say the vandalism was clearly organized.  Many Holocaust victims are buried in the Bucharest cemetery.  Their graves were not disturbed.  According to Fox News, anti-Semitism in Romania has been on the decline in the last few years.

Iraqi Jewry

It all started with Abraham, the first Jew, who left Mesopotamia on a journey to the Land of Israel to found the first monotheistic religion.  When Jews were first exiled from the Land of Israel, they were taken as prisoners to Assyria.  The destruction of the First Temple and the subsequent exile of almost all [...]

Daring Dead Sea Scrolls Exhibit

According to The Jewish Week, the exhibit at the Jewish Museum is the most daring exhibit yet, due to its willingness to present the controversy surrounding the question of who wrote the Dead Sea Scrolls.  The article focuses on the absurd fact that Roland de Vaux’s field notes on the excavation of Qumran have never [...]

Christian Zionists Celebrate Sukkot in Israel

Approximately 8,000 Evangelical Christians have come to Israel for the week of Sukkot for a week-long gathering.  This is the biggest tourist event of the year in Israel and the pilgrims are expected to spend $18 million in the country.  The Houston Chronicle reports on this story, with the usual supporters and detractors of Christian [...]