Miriam – He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not
The last Hasmonean leader for the holiday is Miriam. Although she was never a ruler in her own right, Miriam did influence greatly her husband,…
Aristobulus II – Calling the Romans
What happens when you want power so badly that you will literally do anything to get it? Meet Aristobulus II. Aristobulus II was the youngest…
Salome Alexandra – Queen of Zion
We don't know much about Salome Alexandra's upbringing or family and yet she would rule Judea for almost a decade from 76 to 67 BCE.…
Another Scroll
There is a very peculiar story in the book of Jeremiah. The prophet is commanded to get the people to repent by reading to them…
Peaceful Transfer of Power
Today, what's on everyone's mind is the transfer of power. How this has happened in the past is a topic which interests me greatly (see…
No Pictures – COVID in the Old City
I didn't take a picture. Today the 3rd lockdown in Israel started. Movement is severely restricted; businesses and stores are closed; school attendance is limited…
Pioneers in Motza
In the days before Corona, I went on an overcast winter's day on a tour with other guides and the education department of the Tower…
Avoiding Debt
What would you do to avoid debt collectors? There are lots of interesting stories of people and populations throughout the ages who changed some part…
House of Bones
I went to school to learn philosophy and I work as a tour guide. It may seem as though these two fields are totally unrelated;…
Where There is a Church, There is History
About 1500 years before the first archaeologist took up his spade to look for the past in the ground, Byzantines started identifying historic sites. Bibles…
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Israel by Leiah 