Podcasts about judean desert

In this episode, I talk about the latest thing going on in Israel. Israel is set to host the Middle East's largest-ever LGBT festival at the Dead Sea in June 2026.The new festival, Pride Land, intends to transform the middle of the Judean Desert into a colorful pride city from June 1 to June 4.The event intends to create an experience broader than parties or performances, instead aiming for a space that is alive 24 hours a day, with 15 hotels, beach complexes, parties, and a central performance arena all operating around the clock.This is blasphemy and filth at its finest. Kenny

Roberto Torres-Cedillo reflects on the spiritual lessons of the Judean Desert, revealing how seasons of weakness and emptiness can draw us deeper into God's faithfulness.

Fluent Fiction - Hebrew: Finding Inner Peace in the Bustling Heart of the Judean Desert Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/he/episode/2026-05-13-22-34-01-he Story Transcript:He: בבוקר אחד בהיר באביב, השמש התחילה לזרוח מעל הרי המדבר יהודה.En: On one bright spring morning, the sun began to rise over the Harei HaMidbar Yehuda (Mountains of the Judean Desert).He: האביב צבע את המדבר בגוונים של חום וזהב.En: Spring colored the desert in shades of brown and gold.He: אבי, אדם שחיפש שלווה פנימית ותכלית בחיים, ישב בשקט על גבעה קטנה ונשקף אל הנוף הרחב.En: Avi, a person searching for inner peace and purpose in life, sat quietly on a small hill overlooking the vast landscape.He: הוא הגיע לריטריט רוחני כדי להתחבר לעצמו מחדש ולהבין מה באמת חשוב.En: He had come to a spiritual retreat to reconnect with himself and understand what is truly important.He: היה זה יום רגוע, אבל בנפשו של אבי התרחש סיפור שונה.En: It was a calm day, but within Avi's spirit, a different story was unfolding.He: הוא ידע שבשוק המקומי ימצא אולי חפץ שיזכיר לו את המסע שלו, משהו שיישא עמו הביתה כזיכרון מוחשי.En: He knew that at the local market, he might find an object that would remind him of his journey, something to bring home as a tangible memory.He: כשירד למטה מהגבעה אל השוק הפועם, הרעש היה כמעט מסחרר.En: As he descended from the hill into the bustling market, the noise was almost dizzying.He: דוכנים צבעוניים, קריאות של מוכרים מכל עבר, וריחות עזים של תבלינים ורקעים.En: Colorful stalls, calls from vendors from all directions, and strong aromas of spices and backgrounds.He: לידו צעדו שרה ורות, שתי נשים שהכיר מהמסע הזה.En: Beside him walked Sarah and Ruth, two women he had met during this journey.He: הן רצו לעזור לו למצוא את מה שחיפש.En: They wanted to help him find what he was looking for.He: ״כדאי לך לחפש בזהירות,״ אמרה שרה, ״השוק הזה מלא באוצרות, אבל הם מתערבבים עם רעש והסחות דעת.״En: “It's worth searching carefully,” Sarah said, “This market is full of treasures, but they mix with noise and distractions.”He: רות הוסיפה בחיוך, ״הקשב ללב שלך, אבי.En: Ruth added with a smile, “Listen to your heart, Avi.He: הוא ידריך אותך לחפץ הנכון.״En: It will guide you to the right item.”He: אבי ידע שהוא צריך למצוא משהו מיוחד, אבל התקציב היה מוגבל.En: Avi knew he needed to find something special, but the budget was limited.He: החפצים היפים ביותר היו יקרים מדי עבורו.En: The most beautiful items were too expensive for him.He: הוא התחיל להיכנס לתוך השוק, מרגיש מעט אבוד.En: He started venturing deeper into the market, feeling somewhat lost.He: הוא עצר לרגע, סגר עיניים, ונשם עמוק.En: He stopped for a moment, closed his eyes, and took a deep breath.He: ״אני אמצא את זה,״ לחשו השפתיים שלו.En: “I will find it,” his lips whispered.He: ״החפץ הנכון מחכה לי.״En: “The right object is waiting for me.”He: לפתע עיניו נתקלות במזוזה פשוטה אך יפהפייה.En: Suddenly, his eyes caught sight of a simple yet beautiful mezuzah.He: היא הייתה עשויה עץ, חקוקה ביד אמן, כמעט נעלמת בין הדוכנים המפוארים יותר.En: It was made of wood, hand-carved by an artist, almost disappearing among the more luxurious stalls.He: הלב שלו הרגיש חיבור מיידי, כאילו המזוזה דיברה אליו.En: His heart felt an immediate connection, as if the mezuzah was speaking to him.He: אבי ניגש למוכר ושאל על המחיר.En: Avi approached the seller and asked about the price.He: לשמחתו, המזוזה הייתה בדיוק במסגרת התקציב שלו.En: To his delight, the mezuzah was exactly within his budget.He: הוא רכש אותה והרגיש גלים של סיפוק ושלווה.En: He purchased it and felt waves of satisfaction and peace.He: בדרכו חזרה לריטריט, המזוזה בידו, אבי הבין שהמסע שלו לחפש אוצרות אמיתיים אינו בחומר, אלא בפשטות ובאותנטיות.En: On his way back to the retreat, the mezuzah in hand, Avi realized that his journey to find true treasures was not in material things, but in simplicity and authenticity.He: הוא חזר הביתה עם ביטחון מחודש בהחלטותיו ובמסע הרוחני שלו, לדעת שהבחירה והגילוי הם חלקים חשובים באותה מידה במסעו.En: He returned home with renewed confidence in his decisions and his spiritual journey, knowing that choice and discovery are equally important parts of his path. Vocabulary Words:bright: בהירdesert: מדברinner peace: שלווה פנימיתpurpose: תכליתretreat: ריטריטreconnect: להתחבר מחדשtruly: באמתjourney: מסעtangible: מוחשיdescending: ירדbustling: פועםdizzying: מסחררaromas: ריחותtreasures: אוצרותdistractions: הסחות דעתguide: להדריךbudget: תקציבventuring: להיכנסsomewhat: מעטspecial: מיוחדsimple: פשוטהluxurious: מפואריםimmediate: מיידיconnection: חיבורsatisfaction: סיפוקauthenticity: אותנטיותconfidence: ביטחוןchoice: בחירהdiscovery: גילויpath: מסעBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/fluent-fiction-hebrew--5818690/support.

Fluent Fiction - Hebrew: Finding Roots at Dawn: A Journey to the Heart of Masada Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/he/episode/2026-05-12-07-38-19-he Story Transcript:He: האביב הגיע למדבר יהודה, והמחשבות של אבנר, תמר ונועה יצאו ביחד עם רוח המדבר הנעימה.En: Spring arrived in the Judean Desert, and the thoughts of Avner, Tamar, and Noa drifted together with the pleasant desert breeze.He: הם החליטו לטפס על מצדה לראות את הזריחה ולהרגיש את תחושת החג של ל"ג בעומר.En: They decided to climb Masada to see the sunrise and feel the festive spirit of Lag BaOmer.He: אבנר היה מטייל בלתי נלאה, תמיד חיפש חוויות חדשות, אך חש מנותק משורשיו התרבותיים.En: Avner was an indefatigable traveler, always seeking new experiences, yet feeling disconnected from his cultural roots.He: תמר, המדריכה הנלהבת, דיברה בהתלהבות על ההיסטוריה העשירה של מצדה, בעוד נועה, שגרה בעיר כל חייה, תהתה האם בחירת הקריירה שלה הייתה הנכונה.En: Tamar, the enthusiastic guide, spoke passionately about the rich history of Masada, while Noa, who had lived in the city her whole life, wondered if her career choice had been the right one.He: השמש התעוררה לאיטה כששלושת החברים החלו בטיפוס התלול.En: The sun awoke slowly as the three friends began the steep climb.He: המסלול היה מאתגר לאבנר, והוא התקשה להתרכז בדבריה של תמר.En: The path was challenging for Avner, and he struggled to focus on Tamar's words.He: תמר סיפרה על חייהם של המורדים היהודים שהסתתרו במצדה ועל נחישותם להגן על עצמם.En: She spoke about the lives of the Jewish rebels who hid in Masada and their determination to defend themselves.He: אבל אבנר הרגיש חסר סבלנות והניח שהסיפורים אינם קשורים אליו.En: But Avner felt impatient and assumed the stories didn't relate to him.He: כאשר הגיעו לפסגה, לפני שהשמש התפרצה מעבר להרי מואב, תמר התחילה לספר על ההקרבה והזהות שנשמרו במקום זה, סיפור על עמידות ואמונה.En: When they reached the summit, just before the sun burst beyond the Moab Mountains, Tamar began to tell about the sacrifice and identity preserved at this site, a story of resilience and faith.He: משהו בסיפור נגע בנפשו של אבנר.En: Something in the story touched Avner's soul.He: הוא הבין שכשעמדו המורדים אל מול הבלתי אפשרי, הם בחרו לשמור על כבודם וזהותם – משהו שהוא חיפש בעצמו.En: He realized that when the rebels faced the impossible, they chose to maintain their dignity and identity—something he had been seeking himself.He: עם עליית השמש, פרץ אור מוזהב על המצוקים ומעל לים המלח.En: As the sun rose, a golden light spread over the cliffs and above the Dead Sea.He: אבנר הרגיש שורשיו מתחברים מחדש לקרקע.En: Avner felt his roots reconnecting to the ground.He: הוא הודה לתמר על הסיפורים והרגיש שהוא סוף סוף מבין חלק מהמורשת שהייתה חלק ממנו כל הזמן הזה.En: He thanked Tamar for the stories and felt he finally understood a part of the heritage that had been with him all along.He: גם נועה התרגשה.En: Noa was moved too.He: היא הבינה מתוך הסיפור וגם מתוך השיחה עם אבנר, שהייתה לה הזדמנות ללמוד משהו מעומק התרבות וההיסטוריה שסביבה.En: She realized through the story and her conversation with Avner that she had an opportunity to learn something from the depth of the culture and history around her.He: בסופו של דבר, אבנר עמד בפסגה לצד חבריו, חש קשר וחיבור עמוק לשורשיו ולמקום.En: In the end, Avner stood at the summit alongside his friends, feeling a deep connection and bond with his roots and the place.He: הכאב מהעלייה התפוגג, ואת מקומו תפסה תחושת שייכות ונחישות.En: The pain from the ascent faded, replaced by a sense of belonging and determination. Vocabulary Words:spring: אביבdrifted: יצאוindefatigable: בלתי נלאהdisconnected: מנותקenthusiastic: נלהבתsummit: פסגהresilience: עמידותdignity: כבודgolden: מוזהבheritage: מורשתconcentration: התרכזsacrifice: הקרבהreconnect: מתחברים מחדשbreeze: רוחfestive: תחושת החגclimb: לטפסdetermination: נחישותimpatient: חסר סבלנותroots: שורשיםcareer: קריירהstruggled: התקשהfocused: התרכזidentity: זהותthoughts: מחשבותchallenging: מאתגרbond: חיבורbelonging: שייכותfelt: הרגישopportunity: הזדמנותdepth: עומקBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/fluent-fiction-hebrew--5818690/support.

Full recording of the Land of Israel Fellowship, captured live on Sunday, May 3rd, 2026, on the Torah portion of Emor. A serene Shabbat in the Judean Desert is suddenly interrupted by a moment that reflects the reality of life in Israel today where even a distant paraglider can trigger memories of October 7th and the ongoing war. Beneath the tension and uncertainty, a deeper spiritual story is unfolding. This episode explores the inner dimension of the times we're living through, and how the mitzvah of the Counting of the Omer offers a path to transformation, clarity, and connection with Hashem. In this teaching: A personal story that captures the emotional reality of Israel right now The lasting impact of October 7th and the ongoing multi-front war Why counting the Omer is described as “for yourselves” The connection between the Manna in the wilderness and the Omer offering Gratitude as the foundation for spiritual growth and receiving the Torah The journey from Passover (freedom) to Shavuot (purpose) The 7 Divine attributes and a practical framework for inner refinement This is more than a weekly teaching—it's a guide for navigating uncertainty with faith, and for using this sacred time of the Omer to grow into who you're meant to be. As Israel faces challenges from every direction, this episode offers a deeper lens into the spiritual process shaping the nation and each of us. Follow & share the podcast to stay connected to the Land of Israel Fellowship.

Fluent Fiction - Hebrew: Discovering Lifelong Bonds on Masada's Historic Summit Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/he/episode/2026-04-27-22-34-01-he Story Transcript:He: השמש עלתה לאטה מעל מדבר יהודה, כשהקבוצה של אבנר החלה את הטיול במצדה.En: The sun slowly rose over the Judean Desert as Avner's group began their hike at Masada.He: האביב היה בעיצומו, ופסח הולך ומתקרב.En: Spring was in full bloom, and Passover was approaching.He: המראה היה עוצר נשימה.En: The view was breathtaking.He: הרוח נגעה בפניהם בעדינות, וההרים הרחוקים היו עדים לדורות של היסטוריה.En: The wind gently touched their faces, and the distant mountains bore witness to generations of history.He: אליאור תמיד היה מהסס בקבוצה.En: Elior was always hesitant in the group.He: הוא אהב להיות לבד, לחשוב ולעומק.En: He loved being alone, thinking deeply.He: אבל היה משהו מיוחד במסע הזה.En: But something was special about this journey.He: משהו בו גרם לו לרצות להתחבר, להבין יותר את השורשים שלו ולגעת באנשים סביבו.En: Something about it made him want to connect, understand more about his roots, and reach out to the people around him.He: בין החברים והמטיילים, הייתה תמר.En: Among the friends and hikers was Tamar.He: תמר חיפשה הרפתקאות חדשות.En: Tamar was searching for new adventures.He: לא הייתה לה בעיה לשוחח עם כל אחד ולהתנסות בדברים חדשים.En: She had no trouble talking to anyone and trying new things.He: אבל גם לה היו חששות - היא היססה להיקשר לאנשים בזמן הטיולים שלה.En: But she also had concerns—she hesitated to form attachments during her trips.He: יום אחד, כשהקבוצה הגיעה לפסגת המצדה, אווירת החג וההיסטוריה שעטפה את המקום נגעה בלבם של כולם.En: One day, when the group reached the summit of Masada, the festive and historical atmosphere that enveloped the place touched everyone's hearts.He: אליאור התבונן על הנוף וחשב לעצמו על סיפורי החירות והמרד של אבותיו.En: Elior looked out at the view and thought to himself about the stories of freedom and rebellion of his ancestors.He: בדיוק אז, תמר התיישבה לידו.En: Just then, Tamar sat down beside him.He: "זה מרהיב, נכון?En: "It's amazing, isn't it?"He: " היא אמרה.En: she said.He: הוא הנהן, והרגיש כיצד הוא רוצה לדבר איתה.En: He nodded, feeling the urge to speak with her.He: "כן, זה באמת מקום עם משמעות.En: "Yes, it's truly a place with meaning.He: תמיד גורם לי לחשוב על חירות.En: It always makes me think about freedom."He: "תמר חייכה.En: Tamar smiled.He: "אני אוהבת את התחושה הזו, של להיות במקום עם עבר כל כך עשיר.En: "I love that feeling of being in a place with such a rich past."He: "מה שקרה באותו רגע היה יותר מדיבור.En: What happened in that moment was more than just talk.He: משהו מהותי השתנה.En: Something fundamental changed.He: אליאור הרגיש אמיתי.En: Elior felt real.He: הוא החל להתחבר, לפתוח את ליבו, תוך כדי שהוא מתגבר על ההסתייגות האישית שלו.En: He began to connect, to open his heart, as he overcame his personal reservations.He: תמר, שהייתה רגילה לא לטפח יחסים עמוקים במסעיה, הרשתה לעצמה להתחיל לשתף יותר מעולמה האישי.En: Tamar, who was used to not forming deep relationships during her journeys, allowed herself to start sharing more of her own world.He: כשהשמש התחילה לשקוע מעל המדבר, השניים נשארו לשבת שם במשך שעות, משוחחים על הכל.En: As the sun began to set over the desert, the two remained seated there for hours, talking about everything.He: השאלות והסיפורים שחלקו זה עם זו פתחו בפניהם עולם חדש.En: The questions and stories they shared opened up a new world for them.He: לילה קריר ירד על ההרים, אבל אליאור ותמר פגשו זה את זו מעבר לחופשה.En: A cool night fell over the mountains, but Elior and Tamar met each other beyond the holiday.He: מבלי לדעת מראש, הם הסכימו להמשיך את הקשר גם אחרי שהטיול ייגמר.En: Without knowing in advance, they agreed to continue their connection even after the trip ended.He: אליאור למד את החשיבות של לפתוח את ליבו ולחפש חיבורים חדשים.En: Elior learned the importance of opening his heart and seeking new connections.He: ותמר - היא הבינה כמה עמוקות ומשמעותיות חוויות יכולות להיות כשהיא מרשה לעצמה להיקשר לאחרים.En: And Tamar — she realized how deep and meaningful experiences can be when she allows herself to connect with others.He: כך, על פסגת מצדה, בתוך רוח החירות והאביב, השניים גילו את הקסם שבקשרים אנושיים עמוקים.En: Thus, on the summit of Masada, amidst the spirit of freedom and spring, the two discovered the magic of deep human connections. Vocabulary Words:breathtaking: עוצר נשימהdistant: רחוקיםhesitant: מהססbloom: בעיצומוwitness: עדיםgenerations: דורותsummit: פסגתfestive: אווירת חגenveloped: שעטפהfreedom: חירותrebellion: מרדurge: דחףreal: אמיתיreservations: הסתייגותpersonal: אישיattachments: היקשריםnight: לילהdeep: עמוקותmeaningful: משמעותיותconnect: להתחברallow: מרשהmagic: קסםspirit: רוחapproaching: הולך ומתקרבunderstand: להביןattachments: טיפוח יחסיםsat down: התיישבהseated: נשארו לשבתagreed: הסכימוdiscover: לגלותBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/fluent-fiction-hebrew--5818690/support.

Matthew Wiseman tells the story of a young man's amazing journey to discover the roots of the Christian faith in the Ancient Near East, that led him from Protestantism through the Messianic Movement and into the Catholic Church. It's his own personal story, one that took him to the rainforest of New Guinea, the Old Synagogue in Warsaw, the Judean Desert, and into the heart of Ancient and Medieval Jewish tradition: the Hebrew Bible. Two Jerusalems Download the Veritas mobile app Joe & Joe on X Joe & Joe on YouTube

In this episode, we venture just 15 minutes from Jerusalem into the heart of the Judean desert to discover one of Israel's hidden gems: the spring of Ein Prat. Flowing quietly through the rugged cliffs, magical pools, canyons, gorges and ancient pathways, Ein Prat is more than just a natural spring-it's a place where history, nature and spirit meet. One of our favorites!

The publication of a really long Roman legal document from the Judean Desert has us wondering about crime. Is changing a location on a contract really forgery? How about a little light counterfeiting of silver coins? Ok fine, but there's sales tax on slaves? That makes all this even worse.

Dr. Matthew Wiseman discusses his new book, The Two Jerusalems, which is the moving story of a young man's amazing journey to discover the roots of the Christian faith in the Ancient Near East, which led him from Protestantism through the Messianic movement and into the Catholic Church. This journey took him to the rainforest of Papua New Guinea, the Nożyk Synagogue in Warsaw, and the Judean Desert, and into the heart of ancient and medieval Jewish tradition: the Hebrew Bible. Along the way, he met a cast of odd and wonderful characters, false prophets, and saintly Catholics who taught him about God, Scripture, and prayer. His steps were dogged throughout by God's strange, providential provisions, despite his human blindness. At the heart of the ancient faith, much to his surprise, he discovered what a billion people across the world already know and live: the Catholic faith. Through it all, Matthew Wiseman's relentless desire for truth and consistency kept him searching until he discovered the "beauty ever ancient, ever new". His powerful story is like a course in fundamental theology, in compelling narrative form. This ground-breaking book can change the lives of traditional Jews, Messianic Jews, Protestant Christians, and wavering Catholics. And because it is a narrative from his life vs. an apologetics text, it will reach many who prefer the autobiographical genre. His vivid, rhetorical style renders complicated theological issues clear and understandable.

12/10/24 - Matthew Wiseman, Ph.D. (University of St. Andrews), is a teacher and an independent scholar living in San Antonio with his wife and three children. His research and writing focus on Biblical Poetry, St. John Henry Newman, Scripture, and the Development of Doctrine. The Two Jerusalems is the story of a young man's amazing journey to discover the roots of the Christian faith in the Ancient Near East, that led him from Protestantism through the Messianic Movement and into the Catholic Church. This journey took him to the rainforest of New Guinea, the Old Synagogue in Warsaw, the Judean Desert, and into the heart of Ancient and Medieval Jewish tradition: the Hebrew Bible. Along the way he meets a cast of odd and wonderful characters, false prophets, and saintly Catholics who teach him about God, Scripture, and Prayer. His steps are dogged throughout by God's strange, providential provisions, despite his human blindness. At the heart of the ancient faith, much to his surprise, he discovered what a billion people across the world already knew and lived: the Catholic Faith. Get the book at https://ignatius.com/two-jerusalems-tjp/

Fluent Fiction - Hebrew: Bonds Braving a Sandstorm: Friendship Forged on Masada Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/he/episode/2024-11-25-23-34-01-he Story Transcript:He: החול שקע תחת רגליהם כשאליורה, טל ונועם פסעו אל פסגת מצדה.En: The sand sank under their feet as Eliora, Tal, and Noam walked to the summit of Masada.He: סתיו היה באוויר, עם רוח קרירה שהחזירה זיכרונות של חג החנוכה הקרב ובא.En: Autumn was in the air, with a cool breeze that brought back memories of the upcoming holiday of Hanukkah.He: פסגת מצדה, מלאה באבן עתיקה ונופים של מדבר יהודה וים המלח, הייתה מקום מיוחד לפתוח אותו זיכרונות.En: The summit of Masada, filled with ancient stone and views of the Judean Desert and the Dead Sea, was a special place to unlock those memories.He: זה היה מסע מורכב לארגן, והם היו מוכנים לקראת הרגעים המדהימים של פסגת מצדה.En: It was a complex journey to organize, and they were ready for the breathtaking moments at the summit of Masada.He: אליורה הייתה עם מצלמה ביד.En: Eliora had her camera in hand.He: היא רצתה לצלם צילומים מדהימים לתערוכת הצילומים הקרובה שלה.En: She wanted to capture stunning photos for her upcoming photography exhibition.He: טל היה צועד קצת מאחורה, בודק את איתני הטבע ומשתדל להרגיש בטוח.En: Tal was walking a bit behind, checking out the forces of nature and trying to feel secure.He: נועם הסתכל מסביב, עם החיוך הקבוע שלו, שמח שמוצא את האיזון בנוף ובחברה.En: Noam looked around, with his usual smile, happy to find balance in both the scenery and the company.He: פתאום, השמש התחילה להתכסות בענני חול.En: Suddenly, the sun began to be covered by sand clouds.He: רוח חזקה התחילה לנשוב, וסופת חול ירדה כבד למשפיעם.En: A strong wind started to blow, and a heavy sandstorm descended upon them.He: טל צעק, "צריך למצוא מקום מחסה מהר!En: Tal shouted, "We need to find shelter quickly!"He: " אבל אליורה, נחושה להשיג את הצילום המושלם, חשבה לעצמה, "רק עוד צילום אחד!En: But Eliora, determined to get the perfect shot, thought to herself, "Just one more photo!"He: "הרוח הפכה לחזקה יותר, והם בקושי ראו אחד את השני.En: The wind grew even stronger, and they could barely see each other.He: נועם, תמיד מחפש את הדרך הנכונה, קרא, "אליורה, אנחנו חייבים ללכת!En: Noam, always seeking the right path, called out, "Eliora, we have to leave!"He: " אבל היא עמדה שם, נלחמת ברוח, מצלמת את החול המסתחרר.En: But she stood there, battling the wind, photographing the swirling sand.He: כשהיא כמעט נסחפה ברוח, היא הרגישה את הטל נוגע בה.En: As she was almost swept away by the wind, she felt Tal's touch.He: "בואי!En: "Come on!He: אין לנו זמן!En: We don't have time!"He: "שלושתם, עם מאמץ משותף, מצאו חורבה ישנה שהייתה מספיק עמידה כדי להגן עליהם מהסערה.En: Together, with a combined effort, they found an old ruin that was sturdy enough to shield them from the storm.He: כשישבו שם, מחכים שהסערה תחלוף, אליורה הבינה משהו חשוב.En: As they sat there, waiting for the storm to pass, Eliora realized something important.He: הם היו כאן יחד, והתמונות שהיא כל כך רצתה לא היו חשובות כמו החברות והביטחון שלהם.En: They were here together, and the photos she so desired were not as important as their friendship and safety.He: עם שוך הסערה, הם יצאו החוצה.En: With the storm over, they stepped outside.He: החול חלף, והשמש זרחה מחדש.En: The sand had passed, and the sun shone once again.He: אליורה הרימה את המצלמה, וצילמה את הנוף המרשים של המדבר שנצבע בגווני שקיעה מרהיבים.En: Eliora lifted her camera and photographed the impressive landscape of the desert, painted in stunning sunset hues.He: הצילום היה מדהים, אבל מה שהיה חשוב יותר עבור אליורה הוא שהיה לה רגע שאפשר לחלוק עם החברים שלה.En: The photo was amazing, but what mattered more to Eliora was having a moment to share with her friends.He: הקרבה, השותפות, והחוויה המשותפת היו החשובים באמת.En: The closeness, the partnership, and the shared experience were truly what mattered.He: כשירדו ממצדה, אליורה, טל ונועם היו שונים מעט מהעלייה.En: As they descended from Masada, Eliora, Tal, and Noam were a bit different from when they had climbed up.He: הם היו יותר קרובים, יותר חברים, ועם זיכרון של סופה שהוכיחה להם את כח החברות.En: They were closer, more friends, and with a memory of a storm that proved to them the strength of friendship.He: חג החנוכה הגיע, והם ידעו שיש להם אור שידריך אותם קדימה.En: Hanukkah arrived, and they knew they had a light to guide them forward. Vocabulary Words:summit: פסגהcomplex: מורכבbreathtaking: מדהימיםexhibition: תערוכהforces: איתניםsecure: בטוחswirling: מסתחררshelter: מחסהdetermine: נחושהruin: חורבהsturdy: עמידהphotographing: מצלמתshield: להגןdescended: ירדהmemories: זיכרונותbalance: איזוןswept: נסחפהeffort: מאמץstorm: סופהimpressive: מרשיםlandscape: נוףhues: גווניםpartnership: שותפותexperience: חוויהproved: הוכיחהguide: ידריךphotography: צילומיםautumn: סתיוbreeze: רוחancient: עתיקהBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/fluent-fiction-hebrew--5818690/support.

A red dyed textile from a Middle Bronze Age cave in the Judean Desert has us wondering, sure, boiled squished insects are colorful, but how did they go from, eww, gross, to, hey maybe I could dye some fabric with them and make myself pop? With psychologically revealing ruminations on our contestants' favorite colors!

Fluent Fiction - Hebrew: Archaeologists Restore Masada's Lost Artifact Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.org/archaeologists-restore-masadas-lost-artifact Story Transcript:He: השמש בקעה את מסך הגשם באותו קיץ לוהט במדבר יהודה.En: The sun broke through the curtain of rain on that scorching summer in the Judean Desert.He: ארי ומרים התהלכו בין חורבות מצדה, מאובקים אך נחושים.En: Ari and Miriam walked among the ruins of Masada, dusty but determined.He: ארי, ארכיאולוג מבריק ונלהב, שאל את עצמו האם יסיים את המשימה החשובה שלו.En: Ari, a brilliant and enthusiastic archaeologist, wondered if he would complete his important mission.He: מרים, היסטוריונית מלאת תשוקה, הסתירה סוד במטרה למצוא חפץ עתיק שיאשש את תיאוריות שלה.En: Miriam, a passionate historian, was hiding a secret in order to find an ancient artifact to support her theories.He: במהלך החפירות, גילו ארי ומרים מעבר סודי.En: During their excavations, Ari and Miriam discovered a hidden passage.He: הוא הוביל למעבדה סודית מלאה במסדרונות אפלים וחדרים מאובקים.En: It led to a secret laboratory full of dark corridors and dusty rooms.He: כלי ארכיאולוגיה מודרניים ושאריות של עתיקות התאספו בכל פינה.En: Modern archaeological tools and remnants of antiquities were gathered in every corner.He: מיוחדת הייתה אווירה היסטורית ורוחנית של המקום.En: The place had a unique historical and spiritual atmosphere.He: "תראי, מרים," קרא ארי.En: "Look, Miriam," Ari exclaimed.He: "המעבדה הזאת נראית כאילו איש לא היה כאן במאות שנים!"En: "This laboratory looks like no one has been here for centuries!"He: מרים הסכימה בחיוך אך לבה פעם במתח.En: Miriam agreed with a smile, but her heart beat with tension.He: הם המשיכו לחפור.En: They continued to dig.He: הם גילו סימנים שהובילו לעבר חדר נסתר.En: They found signs that led to a hidden room.He: מרים הבינה שזה המקום שהיא חיפשה זמן רב.En: Miriam realized this was the place she had been seeking for so long.He: "תסתכל כאן," הצביעה מרים.En: "Look here," Miriam pointed.He: "זה יכול להיות הפתח לחדר הנסתר."En: "This could be the entrance to the hidden room."He: ארי ניקה את האבק בעדינות ופתח את הדלת.En: Ari gently brushed off the dust and opened the door.He: ממבפנים, ראו שניהם חפץ עתיק ומופלא.En: Inside, they saw an ancient and magnificent artifact.He: חפץ יקר ערך המסתיר סודות קדומים.En: A precious item hiding ancient secrets.He: אולם, על החפץ היה מנגנון מסתורי.En: However, the artifact had a mysterious mechanism.He: "אנחנו צריכים לפתור את הפאזל הזה," אמר ארי.En: "We need to solve this puzzle," Ari said.He: המנגנון היה מורכב.En: The mechanism was complex.He: היה צריך לשלב סימנים וחריתות עתיקות.En: It required combining signs and ancient carvings.He: המתח עלה בין השניים.En: The tension between them rose.He: כל פיתרון שקרב אותם מולם להצלחתם המשותפת.En: Every solution brought them closer to their shared success.He: "ארי," שאלה מרים בהיסוס, "האם תוכל לבטוח בי? יש לי תחושה שזה יפעל."En: "Ari," Miriam hesitantly asked, "can you trust me? I have a feeling it will work."He: ארי נעצר לרגע.En: Ari paused for a moment.He: הוא שקל את נאמנותה והאם כדאי להאמין בה.En: He weighed her loyalty and whether he should believe in her.He: לבסוף, הוא בחר להאמין לה.En: In the end, he chose to trust her.He: הם לחצו יחד על הסימנים הנדרשים.En: They pressed the required signs together.He: לפתע נשמע קליק.En: Suddenly, there was a click.He: החדר התפוצץ באור זוהר וסודות מהעבר נגלו בפניהם.En: The room burst into a glowing light, revealing secrets from the past.He: על השולחן היה מונח החפץ הקדום.En: On the table lay the ancient artifact.He: מרים קיבלה את ידה לידו ובהתרגשות ביקשה לקרוא את הכתובת.En: Miriam took it in her hand and excitedly began to read the inscription.He: "זהו... זהו החפץ שחיפשתי כל השנים האלה!" קראה מרים בקול רועד.En: "This is... this is the artifact I've been searching for all these years!" Miriam called out in a trembling voice.He: אך הקשר הרגשי בין ארי למרי התגבר.En: However, the emotional bond between Ari and Miriam grew stronger.He: מרים הודתה בפניו על האמון והסכימה לשתף אותו בקרדיט.En: Miriam thanked him for his trust and agreed to share the credit with him.He: הם חיבקו זה את זה והבינו כמה חשוב להיות כנים ושקופים זה עם זה.En: They embraced and realized how important it is to be honest and transparent with each other.He: לאחר כמה ימים, הם עמדו יחד בעודם מציגים את החפץ לעולם.En: A few days later, they stood together as they presented the artifact to the world.He: ארי למד את ערך שיתוף הפעולה והאמון, ומרים הבינה את חשיבות היושר והכנות.En: Ari learned the value of cooperation and trust, and Miriam understood the importance of honesty and integrity.He: "הנה, החפץ שבאמת משקף את העבר שלנו באופן מלא ואמין," סיכמו יחד את ההרצאה.En: "Here it is, the artifact that truly reflects our past fully and reliably," they concluded their lecture together.He: כך, ליד חורבות מצדה, בתוך המעבדה הסודית, חל שינוי משמעותי בחייהם של ארי ומרים.En: Thus, near the ruins of Masada, within the secret laboratory, a significant change occurred in the lives of Ari and Miriam.He: הם הוכיחו שהאמת ההיסטורית והכנות חשובות מכל פרס אישי.En: They proved that historical truth and honesty are more important than any personal accolade. Vocabulary Words:scorching: לוהטdetermined: נחושיםbrilliant: מבריקenthusiastic: נלהבhistorian: היסטוריוניתsecret: סודartifact: חפץtheories: תיאוריותexcavations: חפירותcorridors: מסדרונותremnants: שאריותspiritual: רוחניתmagnificent: מופלאmechanism: מנגנוןcomplex: מורכבtension: מתחhesitantly: בהיסוסloyalty: נאמנותtrembling: רועדemotional: רגשיcooperation: שיתוף פעולהintegrity: יושרreliably: באופן אמיןhistorical: היסטוריתtransparency: שקופיםdiscovered: גילוatmosphere: אווירהsolution: פיתרוןsignificant: משמעותיpresented: מציגיםBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/fluent-fiction-hebrew--5818690/support.

Jesus encourages us to go out and seek the lost, because there is more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than 99 righteous people who don't need repentance. Luke 15:4What man among you, who has a hundred sheep and loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open field and go after the lost one until he finds it?Support the Show.

The antiquities Authority has announced the discovery of a small hoard of rare coins from the time of the Second Revolt hidden in caves in the Judean Desert. The coin was discovered as part of the excavations and surveys being carried out by the Antiquities Authority's Unit for the Prevention of theft of antiquities in the Judean Desert for the past seven years. A new 10-day excavation is planned to begin on March 11 and the public is invited to join in the digs. Reporter Arieh O'Sullivan spoke with Dr. Eitan Klein, deputy head of the Unit for the Prevention of Theft of Antiquities about the finds and the possibility for the public to join archaeologists in the historic digs… and maybe uncover more ancient treasures. (photo: Emil Aladjem,IAA)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

TONIGHT: ; from  show begins in Delhi at the G20 and moves to Gwadar, the Chinese built port in Southern Baluchistan.  From Bamako, Mali to Moscow, Russia, dispatching the Wagner Grouo to West Africa; from a hidden airfield in South Lebanon to the caves of the Judean Desert in 132 AD; from Kabul to Islamabad; from Kyiv to Moscow; from Maui to the California Camp Fire. Much attention to the provocative remarks by the president of Brazil.  1928 Brazil

Autumn is here, and we're thinking of winter, and how to find a warm-weather break. This week we learn why Israel is such a wonderful walking destination, combining great food, history, and wonderful and diverse walking. Here to tell us all about walking in Israel is Erez Speiser, owner of Israel by Foot. Erez talks about walking the Golan Trail, Inn to Inn through the Judean Mountains, the Israel Sea to Sea Trek, the Judean Desert trek and the Negev Desert Hiking tour.

In The Origins of Judaism: An Archaeological-Historical Reappraisal (Yale University Press, 2022), Yonatan Adler pursues the societal adoption of recognizable Jewish practices by Judeans in antiquity with the ultimate aim of establishing a particular terminus ante quem (temporal limit before which) these practices must have become widespread. Sifting through both textual and archaeological evidence for the aversion to graven images/figural artwork, dietary restrictions, synagogue worship, circumcision, the Sabbath as a day of rest, Judean festivals, and more, Adler's “social history” demonstrates that such observances can be conclusively dated at various points within the second century BCE—but not on any meaningful scale before this crucial time of the Maccabean revolt and Israel's brief period of Hasmonean self-rule. Adler joined the New Books Network to discuss his potentially paradigm-shifting findings, which contrast strongly with claims from the Hebrew Bible and much of biblical scholarship that, on the basis of “intellectual history,” prefer to locate Jewish origins in the postexilic Persian Achaemenid period (ca. 539–332 BCE) if not significantly earlier than this. Yonatan Adler (Ph.D., Bar-Ilan University, 2011) is Associate Professor in Archaeology at Ariel University in Israel, where he also heads its Institute of Archaeology. Adler specializes in the origins of Judaism as a system of ritual practices, and in the evolution of these practices over the long-term. Previously, his research has focused on ritual purity observance evidenced in the archaeological remains of chalk vessels and immersion pools, and he has also published extensively on ancient tefillin (phylacteries) from Qumran and elsewhere in the Judean Desert. Dr. Adler has directed excavations at several sites throughout Israel, and from 2019 to 2020 he held the appointment of Horace W. Goldsmith Visiting Associate Professor in Judaic Studies at Yale University. Rob Heaton (Ph.D., University of Denver, 2019) hosts Biblical Studies conversations for New Books in Religion and teaches New Testament, Christian origins, and early Christianity at Anderson University in Indiana. He recently authored The Shepherd of Hermas as Scriptura Non Grata: From Popularity in Early Christianity to Exclusion from the New Testament Canon (Lexington Books, 2023). For more about Rob and his work, please see his website at https://www.robheaton.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

In The Origins of Judaism: An Archaeological-Historical Reappraisal (Yale University Press, 2022), Yonatan Adler pursues the societal adoption of recognizable Jewish practices by Judeans in antiquity with the ultimate aim of establishing a particular terminus ante quem (temporal limit before which) these practices must have become widespread. Sifting through both textual and archaeological evidence for the aversion to graven images/figural artwork, dietary restrictions, synagogue worship, circumcision, the Sabbath as a day of rest, Judean festivals, and more, Adler's “social history” demonstrates that such observances can be conclusively dated at various points within the second century BCE—but not on any meaningful scale before this crucial time of the Maccabean revolt and Israel's brief period of Hasmonean self-rule. Adler joined the New Books Network to discuss his potentially paradigm-shifting findings, which contrast strongly with claims from the Hebrew Bible and much of biblical scholarship that, on the basis of “intellectual history,” prefer to locate Jewish origins in the postexilic Persian Achaemenid period (ca. 539–332 BCE) if not significantly earlier than this. Yonatan Adler (Ph.D., Bar-Ilan University, 2011) is Associate Professor in Archaeology at Ariel University in Israel, where he also heads its Institute of Archaeology. Adler specializes in the origins of Judaism as a system of ritual practices, and in the evolution of these practices over the long-term. Previously, his research has focused on ritual purity observance evidenced in the archaeological remains of chalk vessels and immersion pools, and he has also published extensively on ancient tefillin (phylacteries) from Qumran and elsewhere in the Judean Desert. Dr. Adler has directed excavations at several sites throughout Israel, and from 2019 to 2020 he held the appointment of Horace W. Goldsmith Visiting Associate Professor in Judaic Studies at Yale University. Rob Heaton (Ph.D., University of Denver, 2019) hosts Biblical Studies conversations for New Books in Religion and teaches New Testament, Christian origins, and early Christianity at Anderson University in Indiana. He recently authored The Shepherd of Hermas as Scriptura Non Grata: From Popularity in Early Christianity to Exclusion from the New Testament Canon (Lexington Books, 2023). For more about Rob and his work, please see his website at https://www.robheaton.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/history

In The Origins of Judaism: An Archaeological-Historical Reappraisal (Yale University Press, 2022), Yonatan Adler pursues the societal adoption of recognizable Jewish practices by Judeans in antiquity with the ultimate aim of establishing a particular terminus ante quem (temporal limit before which) these practices must have become widespread. Sifting through both textual and archaeological evidence for the aversion to graven images/figural artwork, dietary restrictions, synagogue worship, circumcision, the Sabbath as a day of rest, Judean festivals, and more, Adler's “social history” demonstrates that such observances can be conclusively dated at various points within the second century BCE—but not on any meaningful scale before this crucial time of the Maccabean revolt and Israel's brief period of Hasmonean self-rule. Adler joined the New Books Network to discuss his potentially paradigm-shifting findings, which contrast strongly with claims from the Hebrew Bible and much of biblical scholarship that, on the basis of “intellectual history,” prefer to locate Jewish origins in the postexilic Persian Achaemenid period (ca. 539–332 BCE) if not significantly earlier than this. Yonatan Adler (Ph.D., Bar-Ilan University, 2011) is Associate Professor in Archaeology at Ariel University in Israel, where he also heads its Institute of Archaeology. Adler specializes in the origins of Judaism as a system of ritual practices, and in the evolution of these practices over the long-term. Previously, his research has focused on ritual purity observance evidenced in the archaeological remains of chalk vessels and immersion pools, and he has also published extensively on ancient tefillin (phylacteries) from Qumran and elsewhere in the Judean Desert. Dr. Adler has directed excavations at several sites throughout Israel, and from 2019 to 2020 he held the appointment of Horace W. Goldsmith Visiting Associate Professor in Judaic Studies at Yale University. Rob Heaton (Ph.D., University of Denver, 2019) hosts Biblical Studies conversations for New Books in Religion and teaches New Testament, Christian origins, and early Christianity at Anderson University in Indiana. He recently authored The Shepherd of Hermas as Scriptura Non Grata: From Popularity in Early Christianity to Exclusion from the New Testament Canon (Lexington Books, 2023). For more about Rob and his work, please see his website at https://www.robheaton.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/jewish-studies

In The Origins of Judaism: An Archaeological-Historical Reappraisal (Yale University Press, 2022), Yonatan Adler pursues the societal adoption of recognizable Jewish practices by Judeans in antiquity with the ultimate aim of establishing a particular terminus ante quem (temporal limit before which) these practices must have become widespread. Sifting through both textual and archaeological evidence for the aversion to graven images/figural artwork, dietary restrictions, synagogue worship, circumcision, the Sabbath as a day of rest, Judean festivals, and more, Adler's “social history” demonstrates that such observances can be conclusively dated at various points within the second century BCE—but not on any meaningful scale before this crucial time of the Maccabean revolt and Israel's brief period of Hasmonean self-rule. Adler joined the New Books Network to discuss his potentially paradigm-shifting findings, which contrast strongly with claims from the Hebrew Bible and much of biblical scholarship that, on the basis of “intellectual history,” prefer to locate Jewish origins in the postexilic Persian Achaemenid period (ca. 539–332 BCE) if not significantly earlier than this. Yonatan Adler (Ph.D., Bar-Ilan University, 2011) is Associate Professor in Archaeology at Ariel University in Israel, where he also heads its Institute of Archaeology. Adler specializes in the origins of Judaism as a system of ritual practices, and in the evolution of these practices over the long-term. Previously, his research has focused on ritual purity observance evidenced in the archaeological remains of chalk vessels and immersion pools, and he has also published extensively on ancient tefillin (phylacteries) from Qumran and elsewhere in the Judean Desert. Dr. Adler has directed excavations at several sites throughout Israel, and from 2019 to 2020 he held the appointment of Horace W. Goldsmith Visiting Associate Professor in Judaic Studies at Yale University. Rob Heaton (Ph.D., University of Denver, 2019) hosts Biblical Studies conversations for New Books in Religion and teaches New Testament, Christian origins, and early Christianity at Anderson University in Indiana. He recently authored The Shepherd of Hermas as Scriptura Non Grata: From Popularity in Early Christianity to Exclusion from the New Testament Canon (Lexington Books, 2023). For more about Rob and his work, please see his website at https://www.robheaton.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/middle-eastern-studies

In The Origins of Judaism: An Archaeological-Historical Reappraisal (Yale University Press, 2022), Yonatan Adler pursues the societal adoption of recognizable Jewish practices by Judeans in antiquity with the ultimate aim of establishing a particular terminus ante quem (temporal limit before which) these practices must have become widespread. Sifting through both textual and archaeological evidence for the aversion to graven images/figural artwork, dietary restrictions, synagogue worship, circumcision, the Sabbath as a day of rest, Judean festivals, and more, Adler's “social history” demonstrates that such observances can be conclusively dated at various points within the second century BCE—but not on any meaningful scale before this crucial time of the Maccabean revolt and Israel's brief period of Hasmonean self-rule. Adler joined the New Books Network to discuss his potentially paradigm-shifting findings, which contrast strongly with claims from the Hebrew Bible and much of biblical scholarship that, on the basis of “intellectual history,” prefer to locate Jewish origins in the postexilic Persian Achaemenid period (ca. 539–332 BCE) if not significantly earlier than this. Yonatan Adler (Ph.D., Bar-Ilan University, 2011) is Associate Professor in Archaeology at Ariel University in Israel, where he also heads its Institute of Archaeology. Adler specializes in the origins of Judaism as a system of ritual practices, and in the evolution of these practices over the long-term. Previously, his research has focused on ritual purity observance evidenced in the archaeological remains of chalk vessels and immersion pools, and he has also published extensively on ancient tefillin (phylacteries) from Qumran and elsewhere in the Judean Desert. Dr. Adler has directed excavations at several sites throughout Israel, and from 2019 to 2020 he held the appointment of Horace W. Goldsmith Visiting Associate Professor in Judaic Studies at Yale University. Rob Heaton (Ph.D., University of Denver, 2019) hosts Biblical Studies conversations for New Books in Religion and teaches New Testament, Christian origins, and early Christianity at Anderson University in Indiana. He recently authored The Shepherd of Hermas as Scriptura Non Grata: From Popularity in Early Christianity to Exclusion from the New Testament Canon (Lexington Books, 2023). For more about Rob and his work, please see his website at https://www.robheaton.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/archaeology

In The Origins of Judaism: An Archaeological-Historical Reappraisal (Yale University Press, 2022), Yonatan Adler pursues the societal adoption of recognizable Jewish practices by Judeans in antiquity with the ultimate aim of establishing a particular terminus ante quem (temporal limit before which) these practices must have become widespread. Sifting through both textual and archaeological evidence for the aversion to graven images/figural artwork, dietary restrictions, synagogue worship, circumcision, the Sabbath as a day of rest, Judean festivals, and more, Adler's “social history” demonstrates that such observances can be conclusively dated at various points within the second century BCE—but not on any meaningful scale before this crucial time of the Maccabean revolt and Israel's brief period of Hasmonean self-rule. Adler joined the New Books Network to discuss his potentially paradigm-shifting findings, which contrast strongly with claims from the Hebrew Bible and much of biblical scholarship that, on the basis of “intellectual history,” prefer to locate Jewish origins in the postexilic Persian Achaemenid period (ca. 539–332 BCE) if not significantly earlier than this. Yonatan Adler (Ph.D., Bar-Ilan University, 2011) is Associate Professor in Archaeology at Ariel University in Israel, where he also heads its Institute of Archaeology. Adler specializes in the origins of Judaism as a system of ritual practices, and in the evolution of these practices over the long-term. Previously, his research has focused on ritual purity observance evidenced in the archaeological remains of chalk vessels and immersion pools, and he has also published extensively on ancient tefillin (phylacteries) from Qumran and elsewhere in the Judean Desert. Dr. Adler has directed excavations at several sites throughout Israel, and from 2019 to 2020 he held the appointment of Horace W. Goldsmith Visiting Associate Professor in Judaic Studies at Yale University. Rob Heaton (Ph.D., University of Denver, 2019) hosts Biblical Studies conversations for New Books in Religion and teaches New Testament, Christian origins, and early Christianity at Anderson University in Indiana. He recently authored The Shepherd of Hermas as Scriptura Non Grata: From Popularity in Early Christianity to Exclusion from the New Testament Canon (Lexington Books, 2023). For more about Rob and his work, please see his website at https://www.robheaton.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In The Origins of Judaism: An Archaeological-Historical Reappraisal (Yale University Press, 2022), Yonatan Adler pursues the societal adoption of recognizable Jewish practices by Judeans in antiquity with the ultimate aim of establishing a particular terminus ante quem (temporal limit before which) these practices must have become widespread. Sifting through both textual and archaeological evidence for the aversion to graven images/figural artwork, dietary restrictions, synagogue worship, circumcision, the Sabbath as a day of rest, Judean festivals, and more, Adler's “social history” demonstrates that such observances can be conclusively dated at various points within the second century BCE—but not on any meaningful scale before this crucial time of the Maccabean revolt and Israel's brief period of Hasmonean self-rule. Adler joined the New Books Network to discuss his potentially paradigm-shifting findings, which contrast strongly with claims from the Hebrew Bible and much of biblical scholarship that, on the basis of “intellectual history,” prefer to locate Jewish origins in the postexilic Persian Achaemenid period (ca. 539–332 BCE) if not significantly earlier than this. Yonatan Adler (Ph.D., Bar-Ilan University, 2011) is Associate Professor in Archaeology at Ariel University in Israel, where he also heads its Institute of Archaeology. Adler specializes in the origins of Judaism as a system of ritual practices, and in the evolution of these practices over the long-term. Previously, his research has focused on ritual purity observance evidenced in the archaeological remains of chalk vessels and immersion pools, and he has also published extensively on ancient tefillin (phylacteries) from Qumran and elsewhere in the Judean Desert. Dr. Adler has directed excavations at several sites throughout Israel, and from 2019 to 2020 he held the appointment of Horace W. Goldsmith Visiting Associate Professor in Judaic Studies at Yale University. Rob Heaton (Ph.D., University of Denver, 2019) hosts Biblical Studies conversations for New Books in Religion and teaches New Testament, Christian origins, and early Christianity at Anderson University in Indiana. He recently authored The Shepherd of Hermas as Scriptura Non Grata: From Popularity in Early Christianity to Exclusion from the New Testament Canon (Lexington Books, 2023). For more about Rob and his work, please see his website at https://www.robheaton.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/religion

In The Origins of Judaism: An Archaeological-Historical Reappraisal (Yale University Press, 2022), Yonatan Adler pursues the societal adoption of recognizable Jewish practices by Judeans in antiquity with the ultimate aim of establishing a particular terminus ante quem (temporal limit before which) these practices must have become widespread. Sifting through both textual and archaeological evidence for the aversion to graven images/figural artwork, dietary restrictions, synagogue worship, circumcision, the Sabbath as a day of rest, Judean festivals, and more, Adler's “social history” demonstrates that such observances can be conclusively dated at various points within the second century BCE—but not on any meaningful scale before this crucial time of the Maccabean revolt and Israel's brief period of Hasmonean self-rule. Adler joined the New Books Network to discuss his potentially paradigm-shifting findings, which contrast strongly with claims from the Hebrew Bible and much of biblical scholarship that, on the basis of “intellectual history,” prefer to locate Jewish origins in the postexilic Persian Achaemenid period (ca. 539–332 BCE) if not significantly earlier than this. Yonatan Adler (Ph.D., Bar-Ilan University, 2011) is Associate Professor in Archaeology at Ariel University in Israel, where he also heads its Institute of Archaeology. Adler specializes in the origins of Judaism as a system of ritual practices, and in the evolution of these practices over the long-term. Previously, his research has focused on ritual purity observance evidenced in the archaeological remains of chalk vessels and immersion pools, and he has also published extensively on ancient tefillin (phylacteries) from Qumran and elsewhere in the Judean Desert. Dr. Adler has directed excavations at several sites throughout Israel, and from 2019 to 2020 he held the appointment of Horace W. Goldsmith Visiting Associate Professor in Judaic Studies at Yale University. Rob Heaton (Ph.D., University of Denver, 2019) hosts Biblical Studies conversations for New Books in Religion and teaches New Testament, Christian origins, and early Christianity at Anderson University in Indiana. He recently authored The Shepherd of Hermas as Scriptura Non Grata: From Popularity in Early Christianity to Exclusion from the New Testament Canon (Lexington Books, 2023). For more about Rob and his work, please see his website at https://www.robheaton.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/biblical-studies

April 23: Saint George, Martyr c. Late Third Century Optional Memorial; Liturgical Color: Red Patron Saint of England, the nation of Georgia, and scouting Widely venerated, historically elusive, his legacy is massive Saint George suffered martyrdom in Palestine before the reign of Constantine. And that is all that can be said with certainty about Saint George. Yet where the documentary record is lacking, other traditions suffice. No one, after all, can document why we blow out candles on a birthday cake, where this nearly universal custom originated, or in what century it even began. Someone, somewhere, for some reason, thought it was a lovely thing to do, and started doing it, otherwise it would not be done today. But questions of where, when, and why fade when friends and family gather around their loved one in the dark, the simple joy on their faces captured in the flickering of the candlelight. Knowing the origin of a tradition matters, since it may reveal unappreciated depths to a common practice. But that a healthy tradition continues is more significant than knowing, or explaining, where it came from. Few Christians can explain the hypostatic union, but everyone loves to unwrap a gift on Christmas morning. No one can determine where and when Saint Valentine lived and died, but our lips broaden into a smile when we open a card on Saint Valentine's Day. A good tradition conveys meaning implicitly whether its origin is obscure or not. If traditions age like wine, then the traditions surrounding Saint George are of the rarest vintage. Devotion to Saint George is so ancient, so deeply rooted, and so cross cultural that to argue that it rose like a chimera from the hot desert sands would be ridiculous. In the remote valleys of the Judean Desert east of Jerusalem, clinging to the copper-colored cliffs shooting straight up from a wadi, is an ancient monastery named Saint George. It was founded in the fifth century. And amid the stately Roman ruins of Jerash, in Jordan, are the remaining stone walls and mosaic floors of the Church of Saint George, built around 530 A.D. Official devotion to Saint George manifests itself, then, in some of the oldest Christian structures in the Holy Land. The murky origins of these early buildings merged with written traditions from centuries after George's death until, over time, Saint George was known as a chivalrous knight who died for his faith under the Emperor Diocletian. The lore of a mounted warrior for Christ was immensely appealing to the Crusaders who populated the Holy Land in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries. They transported the hagiography of Saint George back to Europe with them. Oral tradition and popular custom then did its slow work until the ancient Palestinian devotion to Saint George was revived in a new age for new people in new lands. From the Byzantine East to the Latin West, from the Mediterranean South to the Saxon North, few saints became as popular as Saint George. He was named the patron of an enormous number of castles, kingdoms, churches, abbeys, cities, and orders, and even of England itself, where his dragon-slaying exploits still resonate in that country's national mythology. Traditions hold that Saint George was among the many soldier-martyrs of early Christianity who, instead of dying to protect the Emperor, were killed on the Emperor's orders for refusing to deny Christ. A loyal soldier obeys his master and is prepared to offer his life for a higher good. Roman soldiers were naturally prepared to die for the faith, and many did, killed by their fellows perhaps with some regret. Though the legends swirling around Saint George cannot be verified, they have been accepted by the faithful of many nations for many centuries. Acceptance of traditions is a cultural sieve straining chunks of absurdity from the liquid truth. Saint George has passed through that filter all the stronger. He died for the faith when many of his contemporaries did not—and only the greatest of men did that. Saint George, you were a loyal soldier and humble Christian who gave your life for Christ. Inspire us to have your same loyalty, your same courage, and your same nobility to die for a mighty cause, whether all at once or bit by bit over time.

In this episode we take a look at what it looks like to be a shepherd in Israel and how this relates to hearing the voice of Jesus.  Go to my blogpost The Sheep Know the Voice, to see the photos of a shepherd leading her sheep in the Judean Desert.

Let's begin with Matthew 26:30.  "And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives." We must ask the question, Why did Yeshua go out to Har HaZeitim, that is, the Mount of Olives? And on leaving the guest room late on Passover, what song did they sing on their way to the Mount of Olives?     The Mount of Olives is a mountain of three peaks that separates the Judean Desert in the east from the city of Jerusalem in the west. An alternate name given to the Mountain, as cited in the Judean Talmud and the Midrash, is “Har HaMishcha,” which means the Mount of Anointment, named after the anointing oil that was prepared from the olives that grew there. In Hebrew, Mishcha also means to pull, draw, or lead something or someone to or towards something. This is the wordplay that is used when Yeshua was led away to his crucifixion. Given the idolatry and corruption that was so much a part of the Jerusalem spiritual leadership, Har HaMishcha – the Mount of Anointment and the Mount of Drawing down, pulling, or leading also came to be called Har haMashchit – the Mount of Corruption, which is a play in Hebrew. You can see this in 2 Kings 23:13. Should it be any surprise to us that Yeshua:          1) Prayed on the Mount of Anointment          2) Arrested as a religious criminal on the Mount of Anointment          3) Crucified on the Mount of Anointment           4) Buried on the Mount of Anointment           5) Resurrected on the Third Day on the Mount of Anointment          6) Ascended to the Right of the Father from the Mount of Anointment          7) Returns to the Mount of Anointment as our King, the Son of David       As for the song or songs that were sung on the walk to the Mount of Anointment, did Yeshua sing the Hillel (Psalms 113-118)? Not likely. If not the Hillel, what was sung? We'll find our answer in the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Qumran texts of 11Q5.      Join us for this episode number 127 and PART 14 in our study of the last Passover week of Yeshua on Real Israel Talk RadioSupport the show

Eve Harow shares her Hanukkah; the good, the bad and the miraculous. Welcome to the world, Oriya Ella. עד 120 Photo Caption: Eve Harow with coins from the time of the Maccabean Revolt found in the Judean Desert

Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 15-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world, from Sunday through Thursday. Military correspondent Emanuel Fabian and news editor Amy Spiro join host Amanda Borschel-Dan on today's episode. An Israeli driver came under gunfire by Palestinians in the northern West Bank on Friday and last night the Lion's Den militant group reportedly claimed responsibility. Fabian fills in details. Fabian attended a large-scale military and medical drill at Hadassah Ein Kerem hospital in Jerusalem on Thursday. Should patients feel safe, based on what he saw? Spiro recently interviewed Mixed Martial Arts fighter Natan Levy who had some fighting words for Kanye West. Tonight, the Hallmark channel is airing "Hannukah on Rye." Why is this "perfect timing," according to Israeli star Yael Grobglas? And finally, Borschel-Dan speaks about how archaeologists have uncovered a cache of 2,200-year-old silver coins near the Dead Sea, which they say is the first physical proof that Jews fled to the Judean Desert during the upheaval and persecution under Hanukkah villain Antiochus IV Epiphanes. Discussed articles include: Israeli car comes under fire near Nablus, driver escapes unharmed IDF drills at Jerusalem hospital for potential war, heavy rocket attacks on capital UFC's only Israeli fighter believes all Jews ‘should know how to defend themselves' Hallmark's new Hanukkah movie is ‘perfect timing' amid antisemitism spike, says star 2,200-year-old coin hoard gives hard proof of Book of Maccabees, say archaeologists Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on iTunes, Spotify, PlayerFM, Google Play, or wherever you get your podcasts. IMAGE: 2,200-year-old silver coins that were discovered in a wooden box inside a cave in Wadi Muraba‘at near the Dead Sea. (Shai Halevy, Israel Antiquities Authority)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Excavations in the Judean desert unearth the biggest archaeological finds since the Dead Sea scrolls; plus, visit the hometown of Mary Magdalene; and a child's discovery opens a window into ancient Jerusalem.

Excavations in the Judean desert unearth the biggest archaeological finds since the Dead Sea scrolls; plus, visit the hometown of Mary Magdalene; and a child's discovery opens a window into ancient Jerusalem.

Excavations in the Judean desert unearth the biggest archaeological finds since the Dead Sea scrolls; plus, visit the hometown of Mary Magdalene; and a child's discovery opens a window into ancient Jerusalem.

Excavations in the Judean desert unearth the biggest archaeological finds since the Dead Sea scrolls; plus, visit the hometown of Mary Magdalene; and a child's discovery opens a window into ancient Jerusalem.

Excavations in the Judean desert unearth the biggest archaeological finds since the Dead Sea scrolls; plus, visit the hometown of Mary Magdalene; and a child's discovery opens a window into ancient Jerusalem.

Excavations in the Judean desert unearth the biggest archaeological finds since the Dead Sea scrolls; plus, visit the hometown of Mary Magdalene; and a child's discovery opens a window into ancient Jerusalem.

Excavations in the Judean desert unearth the biggest archaeological finds since the Dead Sea scrolls; plus, visit the hometown of Mary Magdalene; and a child's discovery opens a window into ancient Jerusalem.

Excavations in the Judean desert unearth the biggest archaeological finds since the Dead Sea scrolls; plus, visit the hometown of Mary Magdalene; and a child's discovery opens a window into ancient Jerusalem.

Excavations in the Judean desert unearth the biggest archaeological finds since the Dead Sea scrolls; plus, visit the hometown of Mary Magdalene; and a child's discovery opens a window into ancient Jerusalem.

Excavations in the Judean desert unearth the biggest archaeological finds since the Dead Sea scrolls; plus, visit the hometown of Mary Magdalene; and a child's discovery opens a window into ancient Jerusalem.

Excavations in the Judean desert unearth the biggest archaeological finds since the Dead Sea scrolls; plus, visit the hometown of Mary Magdalene; and a child's discovery opens a window into ancient Jerusalem.

Excavations in the Judean desert unearth the biggest archaeological finds since the Dead Sea scrolls; plus, visit the hometown of Mary Magdalene; and a child's discovery opens a window into ancient Jerusalem.

Excavations in the Judean desert unearth the biggest archaeological finds since the Dead Sea scrolls; plus, visit the hometown of Mary Magdalene; and a child's discovery opens a window into ancient Jerusalem.

Excavations in the Judean desert unearth the biggest archaeological finds since the Dead Sea scrolls; plus, visit the hometown of Mary Magdalene; and a child's discovery opens a window into ancient Jerusalem.

Excavations in the Judean desert unearth the biggest archaeological finds since the Dead Sea scrolls; plus, visit the hometown of Mary Magdalene; and a child's discovery opens a window into ancient Jerusalem.

Excavations in the Judean desert unearth the biggest archaeological finds since the Dead Sea scrolls; plus, visit the hometown of Mary Magdalene; and a child's discovery opens a window into ancient Jerusalem.

Excavations in the Judean desert unearth the biggest archaeological finds since the Dead Sea scrolls; plus, visit the hometown of Mary Magdalene; and a child's discovery opens a window into ancient Jerusalem.

Excavations in the Judean desert unearth the biggest archaeological finds since the Dead Sea scrolls; plus, visit the hometown of Mary Magdalene; and a child's discovery opens a window into ancient Jerusalem.

On today's Watchman Newscast, host Erick Stakelbeck and Israeli archaeologist and tour guide Danny "The Digger" Herman visit the ancient caves of Qumran, deep in Israel's Judean Desert, to learn more about the origin of the Dead Sea Scrolls. Who were the Essennes and what was their connection to the Scrolls-- and John the Baptist? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices