Standing in support of Israel, Jews, and believers in all the nations, in the name of Jesus (Yeshua). Sharing biblical truth, encouragement, news and prophecy.
Samarian high priest Yitzhak ben Amram ben Shalma ben Tabia (circa 1900). View other pictures of priests here and here
Updated from a 2012 Passover feature
The Samaritan population in the Land of Israel numbered more than a million people 1,500 years ago, according to some estimates. This ancient people lived in northern Israel and claimed to have been descendants of those tribes of Israel which were not sent out into the Babylonian exile. One line of Samaritans traces their lineage back to Aaron the priest, and they consider their "holy mountain" to be Mt. Gerizim outside of Nablus (Shechem) -- not Jerusalem.
The Samaritans worship the God of Abraham, revere a scroll comparable to the five books of Moses, and maintain Passover customs, including the sacrifice
of the Pascal Lamb. The photographers
of the American Colonyphotographed dozens of pictures of the Samaritans' sacrificial service.
Samaritan synagogue in Shechem (1899). Also view here
Jews ceased the Passover sacrifice with the destruction of the second Temple.
Already in Talmudic days, Jewish authorities rejected the Samaritans' claims to be part of the Jewish people. The Cutim, according to rabbinic authorities, arrived in the Land of Israel around 720 BCE with the Assyrians from Cuth, believed to be located in today's Iraq.
Over the millennia, the Samaritans almost disappeared. Persecuted, massacred and forcibly converted by Byzantine Christians and by Islamic authorities, the Samaritans' community today numbers fewer than 1,000 who are located on Mount Gerizim near Nablus (Shechem) and in Holon, Israel.
Tirtza, mentioned in today's verse, was an important city of the northern kingdom of Israel, and Jerusalem was the capital of the Judean Kingdom. The beloved, protagonist of Song of Songs, is saying that his loved one is as beautiful as the capitals of Israel, a queen befitting these royal cities. Curious where these places are in modern Israel? Song of Songs mentions numerous locations in the ancient Holy Land that we can identify today. Check out the maps feature on TheIsraelBible.com and get ready to be amazed as ancient text meets modern technology!
The director of Israel's Ministry of Tourism says he has seen a steady rise in people from all over the world traveling to Israel, even during times of heightened security concerns such as the current wave of terror—and despite the high travel costs.
With the joyful playing of tambourines, Miriam the Prophetess inspired faith in God’s redemption of the Jewish Nation. Today’s women are creatively influencing the path toward universal redemption, so get your tambourines ready! This silver pendant is shaped like a tambourine, like the one Moses’s sister Miriam and her colleagues played after the Exodus from Egypt
Yesterday's photo featured the Tower of David, also known as the Jerusalem Citadel. Located near the Jaffa Gate entrance to the Old City of Jerusalem, this tower was named thus because it was incorrectly thought to be the site of King David's palace.
“Your Articles and God's Word Are a Fresh Meal For My Soul”
It’s great to hear from you and make new friends from all over the world. Please send mean email and let me know how you are enjoying Jerusalem365 (don’t forget to say where you are from!).
Your articles and G-D’s word are a fresh meal for my soul. It’s exciting to read and begin to understand my Jewish roots since I’m a born again believer who love everything Israel! May Israel live forever, Amen. May the G-D of Israel, the LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make His face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The LORD life up His countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.(Shalom) - Tom Malay
The incense shovel after having been cleaned in the Israel Antiquities Authority metallurgical laboratories. Photo: Clara Amit (Photo: Israel Antiquities Authority/TPS)
2,000-Year-Old Bronze Artifacts Tied to Temple Unearthed Near Sea of Galilee
“And Aaron shall burn thereon incense of sweet spices; every morning, when he dresseth the lamps, he shall burn it.” Exodus 30:7 (The Israel Bible™)
An ancient bronze shovel and jug tied to the religious rituals of the Second Temple were discovered in archaeological excavations at Magdala – an important Jewish town dating back to the period of Roman antiquity, the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) announced on Tuesday, April 5.
During an ongoing excavation project, a group of volunteers from Chile discovered an ornate bronze incense shovel and a matching bronze jug believed to have stored incense or coals for ritual use.
“The incense shovel that was found is one of ten others that are known in the country from the Second Temple period. From early research it is thought that the incense shovel was only used for ritual purposes, for the embers and incense that were burnt in ritual ceremonies,” Dina Avshalom-Gorni, the Chief archaeologist on behalf of the IAA, told Tazpit Press Service (TPS).
The incense shovel as it was found in the excavation. ( Eyad Bisharat, Israel Antiquities Authority/MFA)
According to Avshalom-Gorni, incense shovels are known worldwide as ritualistic and religious implements in ancient religions, and their use has permeated into Judaism. The book of Exodus states: “You shall make the altar…you shall make pots for it to receive its ashes, and shovels and basins and forks and firepans; all its utensils you shall make of bronze,” a quote which ties these artifacts to the rituals of the Jewish Temple, at least symbolically.
“We know that these are certainly sacred tools, perhaps pertaining to the local synagogue discovered on this site, a synagogue which was quite grand and rich and important in the region,” Avshalom-Gorni explained to TPS. “It’s a rare and exciting find.”
The site is located near the town of Migdal along the western shore of Sea of Galilee. Migdal, or Magdala as it was known by its Latin name, was a large Jewish fishing and trade town in the Early Roman period. It is mentioned in Jewish sources, and at the time of the destruction of the Second Temple it served as a main military base for the ancient Jewish historian and general Josephus.
Another famous denizen of the city, according to the Christian tradition, was the penitent prostitute Mary Magdalene—named for her birthplace Migdal.
The jug as it was discovered in the excavation. (Photo: Eyad Bisharat/Israel Antiquities Authority/TPS)
In recent years the IAA has been leading extensive excavations at the site, overseen by the archaeologists Dina Avshalom-Gorni and Arfan Najar, in partnership with the Anahuac University of Mexico’s Dr. Marcela Zapata-Meza and with the help of volunteers from Mexico, Chile, Spain and Italy.
“It is a very impressive site and is open to the general public. The land actually belongs to a private developer from the Catholic Church, who planned to build a hotel for pilgrims on that plot,” Avshalom-Gorni explained.
According to Israeli law, before approving construction on any building project in the country IAA experts must first survey the plot to assure it will not damage an archeological site.
The stone with the menorah symbol which was discovered in the synagogue at Magdala. (Photo: Yael Yulowich, courtesy of the Israel Antiquities Authority/MFA)
“We began exploratory digs in 2009 and little by little it became evident to us and to the Catholic Church that we have discovered a major site which was dated to the exact time of the ministry of Jesus in the Galilee, and the home of Mary Magdalene,” she added.
The landowner then decided to turn the location into an open-air museum alongside the ongoing excavations, which continue to produce thrilling archaeological finds.
Gordon Robertson takes a look at some of the medical breakthroughs that have come from Israel, including cancer and diabetes treatment and technology to help blind people see and crippled people walk.
On the upcoming festival of Passover, we celebrate God's awesome display of miracles during the Exodus. For the sake of Israel, a ‘pillar of cloud’ protected it from the shooting arrows of the Egyptians in hot pursuit. Today we celebrate the mighty sacrifices and bravery of the soldiers of the IDF, shielding Israel from its enemies. May the God of Israel continue to protect His people through His pillar of defense like He did for us long ago! Stand in solidarity with the soldiers of the IDF, guarding freedom this Passover and every day.
An online petition calling on the IDF to award a medal—instead of handcuffs—to an IDF soldier who shot an Arab terrorist on the ground last Thursday, has garnered more than 35,000 signatures in three days.
Show your love of the IDF with this durable watch bearing the Israeli army emblem. Perfect for hiking, water sports, and the active lifestyle. This watch keeps you up to date with the latest IDF swag, as well as being a fashionable timepiece for all occasions. Black rubber strap, grey stainless steel watch, glass face, glow in the dark, includes stopwatch, timer, diving watch, alarm clock, and is water resistant up to 200 meters, or 20ATM.
Good morning, I love what you send me. Shalom to you. Yarn Cornish
Thank you for the inspiring messages. I am a Catholic in Manchester England and your site shows me how close our two faiths are. I pray for the safety and prosperity of Israel. Shalom, John Hopkins
