Prof. Lawrence H. Schiffman

Masada Synagogue, courtesy of Kat Sniffen, Wikimedia Commons

Visitors to archaeological sites generally assume that once a site is excavated, its historical significance is fully known. But in reality, both the excavations and our understanding of their results continue to develop as a result of ongoing research.

A great example of this is the iconic site of Masada. Recent research has overturned some commonly held views and at the same time has confirmed past research by some scholars. Masada is special in that it is one of Israel’s largest and most successful archaeological projects, and also because of its symbolism as the last stronghold of the Jewish rebellion against Rome in the Great Revolt of 66-73 CE.

Read the rest of this article in Ami Magazine.

V’sham naaleh v ’neira’eh , v’nishtachaveh l’fanecha, “and there (in the Beis Hamikdash), we will ascend, appear and bow before You.” With these words, we will daven over and over on Sukkos to be able once again to fulfill the mitzvah of aliyah laregel, ascending to the Beis Hamikdash, where we will have the opportunity to worship as the kohanim offer the sacrifices, the Leviyim sing the Tehillim, and we experience being in the presence of the Shechinah.

If we cannot observe Sukkos in this way this year, visitors to Yerushalayim will have the chance to appreciate a small part of what our forefathers experienced, due to the completion of an amazing archaeological excavation project.

Read the rest of this article in Ami Magazine.