In the famous Sermon on the Mount Yeshua said to his disciples “you are salt of the earth…” But what does that exactly mean? Look beyond the usual explanations, focus on the cultural context of his words and consider a…Continue Reading
Tag: Yeshua
Did Archaeologists Find Pontius Pilate’s Ring?
Anyone who is familiar with stories about Jesus, even those who have never read the gospels for themselves know about Pontius Pilate who ordered the crucifixion. Besides the New Testament Pilate was mentioned by Josephus at the end of the…Continue Reading
If you Forgive the Sins
Have you ever wished you did not hear or see something? What we see and hear is hard to put back into a box of non-existence. Once we experience something we simply cannot put it out of our mind. Basically,…Continue Reading
Sunday vs. Saturday and Messianic Jews
There is a long-standing debate over Sunday and Saturday among Christ-followers, both Jewish and non-Jewish. The institution of Sunday in historical Christianity is a well-known fact and for many Christians, their very identity is tied to Sunday and what it…Continue Reading
Last Supper: Unleavened Bread or Leavened?
Recently, I was asked an intriguing question, “Did Jesus use bread or Matzah on Passover?” I was a bit puzzled at first. Because in my mind, of course, he used Matzah (מַצָּה), the unleavened bread. So I had to clarify,…Continue Reading
Three Witnesses of Yeshua
Occasionally I bump into people who doubt that Yeshua (Jesus) ever existed, deeming him to be a fictional character like Hercules, Loch Ness Monster or Santa Claus. I am not surprised that people have trouble recognizing what Yeshua did, who…Continue Reading
How December 25 Became Christmas
On December 25, Christians around the world will gather to celebrate Jesus’ birth. Joyful carols, special liturgies, brightly wrapped gifts, festive foods—these all characterize the feast today, at least in the northern hemisphere. But just how did the Christmas festival…Continue Reading
What Wine Would Jesus Drink?
What kind of wine would Jesus drink in his lifetime? Leonardo Da Vinci’s iconic painting, “The Last Supper,” missed a few marks, but it got the wine part right. Biblical historians have long pondered what dishes may have been on…Continue Reading
Jesus the Nazarene or Nazarite?
After reading the gospels some people start thinking that Yeshua (Jesus) was a Nazarite. “And came and lived in a city called Nazareth. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophets: “He shall be called a Nazarene.” (Mat…Continue Reading
Who Needs Temple Sacrifices?
There is a common sentiment among those who embrace Christ – “Jesus paid it all. That is all you need for atonement of sin”. This is very true, but much more needs to be said about sacrifices in this context.…Continue Reading
Stone Tableware Factory Near Biblical Cana in Israel
Archaeologists discovered an unusual cave is in the town of Reineh (between Nazareth and Kana). It was a stone quarry cave that doubled as a workshop and a first-century factory of tableware. Several stone bowls and cups in various stages…Continue Reading
One God, Different Callings
Christians, Jews, Christ-following Jews- What’s the difference? Aren’t we all God’s chosen children, the Israel of God? For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him.…Continue Reading
Seeing Jesus Among The Rabbis
Jesus was a Rabbi. But how does that matter? This understanding has no value if one does not know much about ancient Rabbis. Merely stating that Jesus is Jewish or that he was a Rabbi means absolutely nothing unless one understands…Continue Reading
Methuselah Date Palm From the Days of Jesus
A tree grows in Israel, in Kibbutz Qetura – a Methuselah date palm tree. It is a very unusual tree, a living palm from the days of Jesus which was named Methuselah because of its origins. Technically, it is a young…Continue Reading
Sing Hosanna: Lessons for Today’s Worshipers
Jesus’s entry into Jerusalem just before Passover is a well-known and sometimes even a celebrated event. Each of the four gospel writers describes this Hosanna moment from their own vantage point. This article is written in a form of a…Continue Reading
No such place as Calvary in Ancient Jerusalem
An old Christian hymn evokes God’s help to never to forget the suffering of Jesus – “King of my life, I crown Thee now, Thine shall the glory be; lest I forget Thy thorn-crowned brow, lead me to Calvary… Lest…Continue Reading
Customs, Traditions and Rituals of Israel
Where can you learn more about the peculiar ways of Jewish people? The Bible is full of customs, traditions, and rituals unusual to the rest of the world. Take the most fundamental of gospel passages, the cornerstones of Christian practice…Continue Reading
The Lost Tomb of Jesus in Talpiot, Really?
The archaeologist who excavated a Jerusalem burial cave in Talpiot, featured in a new film is among the experts who have slammed the movie’s claim that the cave is the tomb of Jesus, his wife, and their son. The film—The…Continue Reading