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Showing posts from May, 2024

The Dead Sea Scrolls: Source, Authors, and Content

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  The Dead Sea Scrolls: Source, Authors, and Content By Almog Arad, April 2024 Introduction The Dead Sea Scrolls, also known as the Qumran Scrolls, are among the most significant archaeological discoveries of the 20th century. This collection, consisting of about 900 documents found in caves near Qumran in the Judean Desert, includes biblical texts, other religious writings, and secular documents. The scrolls provide a rare glimpse into Jewish life during the Second Temple period and offer rich insights into the development of religious and social thought among the Jewish people during that era . Get Paid To Use Facebook, Twitter and YouTube When Were the Scrolls Written ? An example of one of the scrolls The Dead Sea Scrolls were written between the 3rd century BCE and the 1st century CE. Scholars estimate that the writing began around 250 BCE and continued until 68 CE, when the Qumran area was destroyed during the Great Revolt against the Romans (Schiffman, 1994; Collins,...

Israel's Complex Reality: Exploring the Discourse of Apartheid

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  Israel's Complex Reality: Exploring the Discourse of Apartheid By Almog Arad Introduction In recent years, there has been a growing international debate surrounding the use of the term "apartheid" to describe Israel's relationship with its ethnic and religious minorities. Apartheid, a term historically associated with the racial segregation policy in South Africa, evokes strong emotions and difficult historical memories. Comparing Israel's situation to apartheid policies in South Africa sparks intense debates, raises complex questions, and demands a deep examination of the reality on the ground.  Israel, a democratic state proud of its legal system that grants equal rights to all its citizens, including ethnic and religious minorities, appears, at first glance, as a model of equality and inclusion. However, there are recurring and evolving claims worldwide of institutional and social discrimination against various minorities in the country. On one hand, ...