Monday, February 25, 2019
Dead Sea Scrolls
On Tuesday morning, our group went to the Israeli museum and explored many aspects of Jerusalem during all types of rule. It was very cold, but still did not divert our class from the rich history explored on this day. Beginning with our song as usual and then exploring every single aspect of Jerusalem then visiting it the next day. Learning about the main temple and Hasmonian rule prior to Roman period. With constant tension between Greek rulers and brothers Hyrcanus and Aristobulus ultimately lead to Roman takeover of Jerusalem. A common theme of senseless hatred for the Jews and often fighting within ourselves for power and superiority. From society today we can learn a basis and even how these tactics may have become more modernized but similar to social classes the rich have so much more superiority than the poor which is a common theme throughout history. We can learn that sibling rivalry with so much power can lead to a whole countries demise and it did explained by the Hasmonians. The main characteristics of Jerusalem during the Roman Period was full of life and active religion, having four distinct groups being the basis of our Jewish culture. Saducees were a group of wealthy priests who believed and fully were committed to the Torah. Pharisees believed in oral law and were Rabbis that passed on their generations by mouth. Zealots disliked the Romans and were the same group that went to Masada. Instigated the war vs Rome causing the Beit Hamikdash to be destroyed. Esseaes were located in the Dead Sea Area very pure and masculine society believed to have written the dead sea scrolls. Personally I would most identify with the Pharisees because their beliefs and culture seemed very similar to what I follow today believing in oral law and not strictly living by the Torah's words. The Dead Sea Scrolls continue and will always be one of the greatest discoveries of the Jewish people to ever be found, created from Papirus scrolls and containing written documents of the Tanakh and community documents, instructions on how to operate when the Messiah comes. Found in the year 1946 almost accidentally proves and gives strict evidence the clay holding these scrolls were 2000 years old proving a Jewish civilization was on this holy land and hand wrote these messages.
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I think this was very interesting for us to see because the information we learned can relate to the main theme of this period which is Sinat Hinam. During the second Temple period there were many groups of Jews who did not necessarily get along very well. This Tiyul allowed us to dig deeper into the problems and disputes between these groups.
ReplyDeleteI really liked this tiyul. I have been in Israel several times but I had never gone to the Israeli museum before so it was cool to be exposed to that for the first time. We were able to see the "senseless hatred" between the groups of Jews. It was interesting that there was so much conflict between these sects of Judaism. Also, being able to see proof that people so long ago studied the same words we study today was really cool.
ReplyDeleteThe Israel Museum was probably my favorite tiul so far. The Dead Sea Scrolls were an amazing discovery and it's so amazing that we can shed some light on times so so long ago through materials that ancient. Personally I found the knowledge that there was a lot of ancient biblical style wrotiwr that didn't make it into the final version of the tanach very interesting. The sculpture garden was also a beautiful and fascinating place to explore.
ReplyDeleteIt was amazing seeing the scrolls and having proof that two to three thousand years ago my ancestors were in Judah. Though it was weird to see details both bad and good about them in a way that no longer allowed me to idealize them as being something holier and more righteous then they actually were.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I had never heard of the Dead Sea Scrolls before and I thought it was so interesting to hear about one of the greatest archeological finds that proves that the Jewish people were there and following the words of Torah. The pure luck and randomness of how the scrolls were found also peaked my interests and made me think what else is out there just sitting in the open and waiting to be discovered. Aside from that, the art and grounds of the museum were also beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI had seen the Dead Sea Scrolls before, but never really knew the full story behind them or what they symbolized. Now I understand their significance historically and religiously in showing us the different beliefs and interpretations of Judaism that existed at that time that often aren't known about. Not everyone wanted to take part in the Temple! It's similar to today. In the future, historians will be looking at the way we practice Judaism and contrast it with Orthodox traditions in the modern era.
ReplyDeleteThe Dead Sea Scrolls were not at all what I expected. I thought there would be a giant Torah scroll wrapped around a magnificent room. There was a magnificent room, and a GIANT Torah scroll, but the pages were small and ancient. My expectation was extremely unrealistic, but seeing these artifacts in real life had shown more about the passing down of religion and the realness of ancient judaism. There really were people reading, chanting, and studying from the same bible we are today.
ReplyDeleteI think this tiyul was extremely educational and really helped me visualize how ancient people lived. It was incredible to see how the four different social groups could clearly be seen by the housing, and it was also cool to see Jerusalem how it was years ago. It was interesting to compare how it looks today, with some remnants of the Second Temple time period, versus how it looked thousands of years ago.
ReplyDeleteI had seen the dead sea scrolls before, but it still does not cease to amaze me about how well preserved they are for their age. I also find it amazing that these scrolls are evidence that corroborate that the Jewish people live in the land of Israel thousands of years ago, and that they worshiped from the tanakh.
ReplyDeleteI really liked this tiyul because I have never seen records like that. I enjoyed reading the information on the Dead Sea Scrolls and learning about how they were found. It was interesting that we have real evidence, provided by the Essenes, to prove so much of our history happened.
ReplyDeleteI really appreciated the structure that contained the Dead Sea scroll exhibit. The scientific properties of the shape and color of the dome-shaped roof (to symbolize the Torah capsules) was really impressive, as well as the black wall directly across the court yard and the ideology behind this set up. I also really enjoyed the sculpture garden and seeing some pieces that I recognized.
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