BiblePlaces Blog - Page 492 of 571

Weekend Roundup

Arutz-7 published several articles related to the Sukkot (Tabernacles) celebration in Israel, including a photo essay of Sukkot, an article and video on the priestly blessing, and an article and video of the public reading of the Torah that occurs every 7 years.

Eisenbrauns has a remarkable deal going until October 31: anyone can get any of their conference (SBL/ASOR) specials at conference prices! Not only does that save you a flight to Boston and conference fees, but if you’re going to Boston, it saves you from carrying an extra suitcase (which now results in a surcharge). There is some fine print, but it’s all very reasonable. The page probably of most interest to readers of this blog is the Carta page (this is the direct link in my browser, but no guarantees that it’ll work for you). Another work that may be significant in the present archaeological controversy over the 10th century is Literate Culture and Tenth-Century Canaan: The Tel Zayit Abecedary in Context, edited by Ron E. Tappy and P. Kyle McCarter Jr. That was just released on Thursday, includes a free DVD, and is available for only $26.

The Jerusalem Mosaic reports that a new park will be constructed at the Beit Zayit Reservoir. Many visitors to Jerusalem drive right by this (on the south side of Highway 1 before the last ascent to Jerusalem), but soon will have reason to stop for a picnic or a boat ride. In addition, a 35-mile (60-km) bike trail is being built to connect a series of parks in the Jerusalem area.

Publicized earlier this summer, but not noted here, is a fragment of Nehemiah from the Dead Sea Scrolls. Though small, this is the only known portion of this book from Qumran. You can see the fragment and read about it here.

Tagged Jerusalem

Lights On: The Bible and Interpretation

Several years ago one of my favorite websites to frequent was Bible and Interpretation. I appreciated the news updates as well as the articles, which came from a variety of perspectives. For lack of funding, the site went dark. Today the site is back with a new design and the promise of regular updates and essays. I’m delighted to see its return and am sure that it will be worth checking in on. If you find it valuable over time, consider sending a contribution.

Tagged Resources

Autumn Nights in the Old City of Jerusalem

If you want to avoid the crowds and get a different glimpse of Jerusalem, there are some great opportunities in the Old City for the next two weeks. From the JPost:

After putting their heads together, the Jerusalem Development Authority, the municipal Tourism Authority, the Tourism Ministry and the municipal company Ariel came up with a brilliant move called Autumn Nights in the Old City. Successful beyond their wildest dreams, it consists of special (free) Monday and Thursday programs offered from the beginning of September until the end of October. Among the goodies are two light-hearted guided tours, evening performances of vastly diverse music programs and discounted museums kept open until evening.

The article has lots of details of the sites that are open and the costs. If you like to take photographs, I’d recommend the Ramparts Walk and the Tower of David.

Temple Mount and excavations from southwest

Tagged Jerusalem, Opportunities

Video: Journey to Israel

If you need more reasons for why you should visit Israel, or if you just want to enjoy seeing the land again, take a look at the recently posted “Journey to Israel” video on the blog of Wayne Stiles.

Tagged Travels

Extreme Israel

If you’ve already been to Israel and you’re young (at least in spirit), you might consider doing something “extreme” on your next visit. With tourism booming again, there are more and more opportunities for those who don’t know what they’re doing. The New York Times recently had an article on a variety of options for thrill-seekers, including rappelling, zip-lining, hiking, skydiving, mountain biking, and snuba-ing. Who wants to go look at an old pile of rocks with so many other possibilities?

Rappelling near Qumran

Tagged Opportunities

New Photo CD: Views That Have Vanished (1960s)

After four years of development, I am pleased to announce the latest CD produced by BiblePlaces.com/ LifeintheHolyLand.com.

Views That Have Vanished: The Photographs of David Bivin is a collection of never-before-seen photographs taken in Israel and the surrounding areas in the 1960s.

The CD is full of unique shots and beautiful views from a land that has changed dramatically in the last four decades.

You can read more about the collection on BiblePlaces.com’s companion site, LifeintheHolyLand.com, and see some “then and now” shots here.

A word about the price. The collection includes more than 700 photographs, yet we are selling the CD for only $20 (through October 31). That includes free shipping in the U.S. The CD is worth much more than this—we guarantee it. For less than 3 cents a photo, you get everything in high-resolution jpg format and PowerPoint files, with notes by David Bivin and me.

Two “Then and Now” presentations were a late addition and a bonus to the collection. The CD is so packed that we had to put one of the “Then and Now” presentations online, because we did not want to leave out anything else (the link to that presentation is on the CD).

We have previously featured photographs from this collection on this blog here and here.

Take a look. We think you’ll love it as much as we do!

Tagged Resources