Herod the Great
When Rome took power in Jerusalem, the land of Israel was a deeply Hellenized region, though some pockets of population still preserved their own religious and cultural identity with great vigor. Pompey kept Hyrcanus II at the head of the Jewish state, deprived of the...
Bethany is not a place one simply passes through
In the time of Jesus, Bethany was only three kilometers from Jerusalem and served as a place of rest for those coming from Jericho. Today, the road interrupted by the separation wall no longer passes through Bethany, and the route has become much longer. One must go...
The joy of giving and receiving!
At this time of year, messages arrive in Jerusalem from everywhere with the same wish: Happy New Year! Although here we have as many new year’s as there are calendars. Nevertheless, all share something in common: beginning a new year is a feast with the joy of...
Abraham in Beersheba: 7 wells, 7 sheep, and 1 covenant
Today, the Negev Desert (or Neguev) is visited for several reasons. Its erosion craters, or Makhteshim — the most famous being Makhtesh Ramon — attract geology enthusiasts from around the world. The exceptional clarity of its sky makes the Negev a privileged location...