Monthly ArchiveMay 2017

"...Bo‘az was the father of ‘Oved, ‘Oved was the father of Yishai, and Yishai was the father of David." Ruth 4:21,22

Barley Conditions in Israel March 2024 (Adar 5784)

Yoel Halevi No Comments

Definitions related to barley development observations according to the following:

Stages of Growth after Heading

            Flowering

            Milk

            Soft Dough

___________________________________

First Edible Stage for Humans

            Aviv Stage (אָבִיב) –          Filled with Starch/Firm, can be parched in fire

            Karmel Stage (כַּרְמֶל)?

            Harvest Ready –              Kernal Hard (not dividable with thumbnail)

Notes: 

  1. Primary remarks are based on observations of wild barley (Hordeum spontaneum). Modern agricultural barley (Hordeum vulgare – two and six row) and wheat fields were also checked and compared.
  • A detailed but schematic description of the route followed for observing barley development is included for the sake of transparency so that everyone can understand the evidence more clearly.

“Ancient Calendars: Insights from Egypt, Mesopotamia, and the Levant”

Yoel Halevi No Comments

Abstract:

This paper provides a comprehensive overview of ancient calendars from Egypt, Mesopotamia, and the Levant, highlighting their structures, functions, and cultural significance. It explores the Egyptian calendar, characterized by its lunar-solar system and ties to the Nile’s annual flooding. The Babylonian calendar, with its innovative intercalary months, is examined for its role in religious festivals and administrative activities. The Rabbinic calendar is discussed in its Jewish religious context, focusing on its 19-year cycle and intercalation practices. The Phoenician, Emar, Aramaean/Syrian, and Qumran calendars are also analyzed, shedding light on their lunar-solar patterns and regional variations. Through archaeological evidence, epigraphy, and literary sources, this paper reveals the methods used in the ancient world for using calendars and their vital roles in organizing time.

Introduction to the book of Ester

Yoel Halevi No Comments

In this discussion we address the themes of the book of Ester and how to understand the book in the setting of the Persian era.

How is the Narrative built?

Who are the characters?

Is there an historical event we can find in antiquity which resembles the story of Ester?

Pessaḥ- An Etymology

Yoel Halevi One comments

Introduction:

The translation of ancient texts presents an intricate tapestry where linguistic nuances and cultural contexts intertwine. In the realm of biblical scholarship, the term פסח, commonly translated as “Passover,” bears not only a linguistic translation but also an interpretative weight that shapes our understanding of a significant ceremonial event. This paper delves into the etymological intricacies of פסח, examining its dual meanings of “to limp” and “to protect.” Drawing on linguistic evolution and historical interpretations, we navigate through the genesis of the term “Passover” and explore whether this translation accurately encapsulates the rich layers of meaning embedded in the original Hebrew. By scrutinizing various biblical passages and extrabiblical sources, we aim to unveil a more nuanced understanding of פסח as an apotropaic ritual designed for the protection of the Israelites during the Exodus.

Exodus 7:9 The Tannîn

Yoel Halevi No Comments

It is an established concept that words in Biblical Hebrew may mean more than one thing, while others can mean only one. In the following paper, I will examine the word Tannin used in Exodus 7:9 and see if this specific word has been treated correctly by translations and commentaries and rendered as “snake”.

The Verses in question

כִּי יְדַבֵּר אֲלֵכֶם פַּרְעֹה לֵאמֹר תְּנוּ לָכֶם מוֹפֵת וְאָמַרְתָּ אֶל אַהֲרֹן קַח אֶת מַטְּךָ וְהַשְׁלֵךְ לִפְנֵי פַרְעֹה יְהִי לְתַנִּין

This verse has been translated in a relatively consistent way in multiple translations:

Amos 6:3- Hebrew vs. Greek

Yoel Halevi No Comments

Abstract:

This study examines a translational discrepancy in Amos 6:3 between the Hebrew text and the Greek rendering in the Septuagint. In the original Hebrew, the term שֶׁבֶת חָמָס (shevet hamas) conveys the notion of a “throne of violence” or “seat of oppression,” symbolizing a judicial seat utilized for unjust purposes. Rooted in the verb שׁבת (shavat), denoting sitting or dwelling, the term aligns with Amos’s broader critique of leadership during a period of affluence and moral decay. However, the Greek translation introduces σάββατον(sabbaton), denoting the Sabbath day, resulting in an interpretation emphasizing a “false Sabbath” and deviating from the original focus on oppressive leadership. This misinterpretation may stem from attempts to harmonize with related passages or cultural nuances. The study highlights challenges in cross-linguistic and cross-cultural biblical translation, emphasizing the potential for misreadings by translators contributing to the Septuagint.

Keywords:

Amos 6:3, Septuagint Biblical Translation, Greek Rendering, שֶׁבֶת חָמָס (shevet hamas), Throne of Violence, Sabbath

The different translations to Greek

Realism in Jeremiah 24

Yoel Halevi No Comments

The subject of imagery in prophecy has long been a central theme in prophetic literature. One key question in this field of study pertains to the origin of the prophets’ imagery. While the traditional view regards this imagery as an integral aspect of the vision, it is essential to consider whether God employed imagery tailored to resonate with the specific individuals of their time. To delve into this subject, I will explore a specific image used in the book of Jeremiah.

Nehemiah 8 Yom Teruah and Sukkot

Yoel Halevi No Comments

In this new study, I dive into the history of the Torah community in Judea in the 5th century and the Persian era. I discuss the place of the community during this time and the function of Ezra and the Torah of Moses. 

Subjects:

Persian agendas and treatment of social groups.

Torah and Torah keeping.

Ezra and Nehemiah- Men and the history of the books. 

The seventh month.

Nehemiah 8 and Leviticus 23. 

A Kid in Its Mother’s Milk

Yoel Halevi 3 comments

Abstract 

This paper will discuss the meaning and context of the law regarding cooking/boiling a kid in its mother’s milk. The paper will examine the different interpretations and will present the most reasonable interpretation of the commandment. 

  1. Verses and context

The commandment not to cook a kid in its mother’s milk appears three times in the biblical text with the exact same wording. It is important to note that the MT reads ḥălēv (milk) and not ḥēlev (fat). If anyone wants to argue that the prohibition is about fat and not milk one has to prove without a doubt that the MT uses the wrong reading (Some Egyptian Karaites who didn’t read Hebrew very well made this mistake in the past). However, Jewish reading traditions, Samaritan, and Greek traditions show it is milk. Hence, the discussion will only be based on this common reading and not the speculation of what may have been (Propp, 2006, 286).

The Fasts of Zekharyah 7-8

Yoel Halevi No Comments

In this in-depth discussion, Yoel dives into the Hebrew text of Zekharyah (Zechariah) 7-8 which talks about a question sent to the prophet about a private practice of fasting. This practice expanded throughout time and became a common public fast in Judea.

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