Jewish History
-
The Names and Dates of the Kings
What were the dates of the Jewish kings? The following is a list of the Jewish kings in Biblical times and their B.C.E. dates according to the Encyclopedia Judaica (vol. 8, table beginning after col. 766): Saul, 1020-1009. David, 1004-965.…
-
The “Messiah” in Daniel
Who is the Messiah referred to in Daniel 9:25? According to the Jewish commentators, in both of these occurrences, “messiah” (“anointed one”) refers to a king. In v.25 it refers to King Cyrus of Persia, who is called “G-d’s anointed…
-
The Mistrust of the Samaritans
Why were the Samaritans mistrusted? The enmity between the Jews and the Samaritans goes back to the time when the Second Temple was being built after the Jews returned from the Babylonian exile; for the history of that period see…
-
The Elders in Devarim
Who are the elders that Moses is referring to in Deuteronomy 32:7? Answer: “Elders” can be translated literally as “old people”, as in Targum Onkelos. It can also refer to Torah scholars, or to the Torah itself; see Targum Yonasan…
-
The Fire on the Altar
How was a fire kept buring permanently on the Altar? A large supply of wood was kept on hand, and the ashes were periodically cleaned away. There was plenty of room on the altar to keep the fire burning in…
-
Rabbi Shmarya ben Elchanan
Who was Rabbi Shmarya ben Elchanan? R. Shmarya ben Elchanan lived in Egypt in the 10th century C.E. His father R.Elchanan was chief rabbi of Fostat. R.Shmarya was sent to Pumbedisa to study under R.Sherira Gaon. He was highly regarded,…
-
Rabbi Yitzchak of Acco
Who was Rabbi Yitzchak of Acco? R.Yitzchak (b.Shemuel) of Acco was born in Eretz Yisroel in 1250 C.E. When Acco was conquered by the Egyptians in 1299 he apparently remained in the area, but in 1305 he was in Italy,…
-
Elijah
What can you tell me about the prophet Elijah? His activities are described in 1 Kings, Ch. 17ff. As told in 2 Kings Ch. 2, he didn’t die, but was taken up to Heaven. Since that time he has been…
-
Zechariah
What can you tell me about the prophet Zechariah? Zechariah was one of the last prophets; he lived at the time of the return of the Jews from the Babylonian exile. In Ch.14, the last chapter of his book, he…