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DOMESTIC ABUSE DOESN’T STOP
BECAUSE IT’S CHANUKAH
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on the community. Select a life-changing JNF UK project in Israel, and a personalised plaque will be placed alongside it - a tribute for generations to come.
Our project dedications are the perfect, meaningful way to celebrate a birth, the passing BAR AND BAT MITZVAH ISRAEL EXPERIENCE of a loved one or to honour someone who has left a mark
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GRACE Our unique urban forestation project offers an abundance of environmental and educational AFTER MEALS BOOKLETS benefits, whilst also beautifying and providing much needed shade and shelter for communities.
Plant trees in someone’s name for any special occasion, and JNF UK will send out a beautiful, bespoke certificate honouring the occasion and your contribution.
GRACE Our unique urban forestation project offers an abundance of environmental and educational AFTER MEALS BOOKLETS benefits, whilst also beautifying and providing much needed shade and shelter for communities.
Plant trees in someone’s name for any special occasion, and JNF UK will send out a beautiful, bespoke certificate honouring the occasion and your contribution.
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Maccabean discovery in Judean dersert
The jar and its contents
PHOTO: DAFNA GAZIT ISRAEL ANTIQUITIES AUTHORITY
BY ADAM MOSES
A wooden box containing 15 silver coins dating to the Maccabean Revolt has been discovered in the Judean Desert.
The unique lathe-turned box dating back around 2,200 years ago was found during excavations at Muraba’at Cave in the Darageh Stream Nature Reserve. Following research over recent months it will be exhibited over Chanukah in the Hasmonean Museum in Modi’in for Israel Heritage Week.
The Judean Desert Excavation was run by the Israel Antiquities Authority, Judea and Samaria Unit and Ministry for Jerusalem and Heritage.
The upper part of the box was packed with earth and small stones. Below was a large piece of purple woollen cloth covering 15 silver coins arranged with pieces of sheep’s wool. The coin hoard, cleaned in the Antiquities metal finds laboratory, comprised silver tetradrachma coins minted by Ptolemy VI, King of Egypt.
Ptolemy VI reigned over Egypt when his uncle Antiochos IV Epiphanes reigned over the Seleucid Kingdom including Judea. The three earliest coins were minted in 176/5 BCE. The oldest coin was dated to 171/0 BCE. The name ‘Shalmai’ in Aramaic script was found on one of the coins.
Dr Eitan Klein and Dr. Gabriela Bijovsky of the Antiquities Authority studied the coins.
“It is interesting to visualise the person who hid his personal property intending to return to collect it.” said Klein. “The person was probably killed in the battles. This is an absolutely unique find. It presents the first clear archaeological evidence that the Judean Desert caves played an active role of Jewish rebels or fugitives in the early days of the Maccabean Revolt or events that led up to them.”
According to Klein, the Books of the Maccabees describe the dramatic events of the times that would have led people to hide possessions in the Judean Desert until the danger passed.
An explanation could be plundering of the Jerusalem Temple treasures by Antiochos IV and destruction of the Jerusalem city wall in the years that led up to the Hasmonean Revolt. Another explanation could be the religious decrees imposed on the Jews in 167 BCE.
The First Book of Maccabees (I Maccabees 2:29-37) records groups of Jews fleeing to hiding places in the desert.
The Minister of Heritage, Zeev Elkin observed: “This moving find just before the festival of Chanukah is symbolic. It emphasises the importance of our activity in the field of heritage. Over recent years the Ministry has invested in the Judean Desert survey to preserve heritage sites. I commend all participants in this important task.” He added: “During Heritage Week dozens of sites will be open to the public with special activities for families including the new discovery in the Hasmonean Museum. I invite all Israel to visit and enjoy the national heritage.”
Eli Escusido, Israel Antiquities Authority, “The coin hoard fires the imagination and connects us with those days in this season. “This is the Chanukah gelt we are donating to the State of Israel.”
Hananya Hizmi, Archaeology officer of the Judea and Samaria Unit: “We work tirelessly to preserve all the archaeological sites in Judea and Samaria. We will not cease to look for and excavate historical discoveries.”
