Last year, Dr Zahi Hawass spoke to Heritage Key in a video interview about the restoration work being carried out at the Moses Ben Maimon (Maimonides) synagogue in Cairo by the Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities (see the video at the bottom of this page). With the project nearing completion, the SCA chief has today announced that a planned celebration to mark the reopening of the restored monument has been cancelled.
Dr Hawass explained that the decision comes in the aftermath of Israeli authorities prohibiting worshippers from praying in the Al-Aqsa mosque in the West Bank.
The Book of Exodus is one of best known pieces of scripture in the world. It tells the story of how the Jewish people, with some divine assistance, escape from Egypt and make their way to the land of Israel.
Whether this migration really happened is deeply controversial and is something that I’m not going to get into in this article.
Instead what I’m going to talk about is some intriguing research, done by Professor James Hoffmeier of Trinity International University, which suggests that the events may be set in New Kingdom times – specifically the era of the Ramesside kings. His work also adds some insight into the exact route the Israelites took in the story.
Highlighted Quote:
“We should be open to the possibility that the memory preserved in the exodus tradition has one that goes back to a much earlier date than perhaps some people have thought.”
Submitted by Meral Crifasi on Fri, 11/20/2009 - 17:19
I am planning a week-long trip to Istanbul with my husband and two young boys for Christmas holidays and the New Year. The main focus of the holiday will be visiting my family who live in Istanbul and catching up with friends. Each time we are back home my French husband gets restless in a family environment with too much Turkish language around him that he understands very little of, and wants to be the sightseeing tourist wondering the streets.
Dr Zahi Hawass takes us on a tour of the restorations taking place at the Jewish Synagogue of Moses Ben Maimon. Dr Hawass explains that since taking his post as Director of the SCA, he has made a point of restoring Jewish Temples, as it is also part of Egypt's heritage.
Moses Ben Maimon (also known as Moses Maimonides) was a Spanish-born Jewish rabbi, healer, scientist and preeminent philosopher of the 12th an 13th century AD. He was born in Cordoba, but fled to Egypt in order to practice Judaism openly.
Some of his theories - in particular the idea that it's impossible for truths derived from human intellect to contradict those revealed by God - have become cornerstones of Jewish thought, even though they were largely overlooked in their time. His skills as a healer were so respected he worked as private physician to the Muslim sultan of Egypt and Syria Saladin for a period; he would also aid the poor, who would visit his synagogue in Cairo in droves.
Maimon died in 1204, and was briefly buried in his synagogue, before later being reinterred in the Holy Land.
The Synagogue of Moses Ben Maimon is a highly impressive and historic medieval Jewish temple in the old Jewish quarter of Cairo, known as Haret al-Yahoud. Moses Ben Maimon was an important and influential Spainish-born Jewish philosopher, scientist and healer in the 12th century. He died in Cairo, and was initially buried at the synagogue, before his body was reinterred in the Holy Land.
The Synagogue was declared an Egyptian antiquity in 1986, due to its architectural and religious importance. A major restoration project commenced on the building in 2009, to repair the temple to its former glory, after centuries of damage caused by earthquakes, ground water and negligence. It's hoped to be re-opened to the public by June 2010.
MOVIE: Dr. Hawass shows the restorations at the Jewish Synagogue of Moses Ben Maimon
Dura Europos is located near the modern day village of Salhiyé, in today’s Syria. It stands on a cliff overlooking the Euphrates River and bears a mixture of Greek and Roman architecture.
The city was destroyed by centuries of war and abandoned by the 3rd century AD. Since its rediscovery, excavations have revealed, among other important ruins, the oldest synagogue and oldest church ever found. Because it is in such fine condition and holds such a rich history, Dura Europos has been known to be called the “Pompeii of the Syrian Desert”.
The Book of Exodus is one of best known pieces of scripture in the world. It tells the story of how the Jewish people, with some divine assistance, escape from Egypt and make their way to the land of Israel.
