#Bible

News | News

Jonathan Sacks – The Spirituality of Song HA’AZINU

Jonathan Sacks – The Spirituality of Song HA’AZINU With Ha’azinu we climb to one of the peaks of Jewish spirituality. For a month Moses had taught the people. He had told them their history and destiny, and the laws that would make theirs a

News | News

RAV KOOK ON YOM HAKIPPURIM: THE DAY OF AT-ONE-MENT

RAV KOOK ON YOM HAKIPPURIM: THE DAY OF AT-ONE-MENT RAV KOOK ON YOM HAKIPPURIM: THE DAY OF AT-ONE-MENT “In the depths of the human soul the voice of God calls ceaselessly. The tumult of life can confuse the person so that most of the time they will not h

News | News

RAV KOOK ON ROSH HASHANA: RENEWING THE POWER OF RENEWAL

RAV KOOK ON ROSH HASHANA: RENEWING THE POWER OF RENEWAL  We are beginning the 5784’th year of our human historical experience. Our personal and collective behavior has resulted in a planetary existence that has much good and much bad, many blessings an

News | News

Prof. Sam Lehman-Wilzig – The Time has Arrived for the Fast of Yitzchak (instead of Gedaliah)

Prof. Sam Lehman-Wilzig – The Time has Arrived for the Fast of Yitzchak (instead of Gedaliah) The day after Rosh Hashana, the Jewish calendar commemorates the Fast of Gedaliah. Yet, how many Jews know anything about who he was or why we have a Fasti

History | Archeology

Archaeologists find 'mystery' ducts near biblical Jerusalem relics

The channels may have been used to prepare a commodity "connected to the economy of the temple or palace", said archaeologist Yuval Gadot in the statement.

News | News

Jonathan Sacks z”l – To Renew our Days NITZAVIM, VAYELECH

Jonathan Sacks z”l – To Renew our Days NITZAVIM, VAYELECH The moment had come. Moses was about to die. He had seen his sister Miriam and brother Aaron pre-decease him. He had prayed to God – not to live forever, not even to live longer, but

News | News

Jonathan Sacks z”l – We Are What We Remember KI TAVO

Jonathan Sacks z”l – We Are What We Remember KI TAVO One reason religion has survived in the modern world despite four centuries of secularisation is that it answers the three questions every reflective human being will ask at some time in his

News | News

Jonathan Sacks z”l – The Limits of Love KI TEITSE

Jonathan Sacks z”l – The Limits of Love KI TEITSE In a parsha laden with laws, one in particular is full of fascination. Here it is: If a man has two wives, one loved, the other unloved [senuah, literally “hated”], and both the loved an

News | News

Jonathan Sacks z”l – The Greatness of Humility SHOFTIM

Jonathan Sacks z”l – The Greatness of Humility SHOFTIM At a dinner to celebrate the work of a communal leader, the guest speaker paid tribute to his many qualities: his dedication, hard work, and foresight. As he sat down, the leader leaned ov

News | News

RAV KOOK ON PARSHAT RE’EH-HOW TO BE BLESSEDLY HAPPY

RAV KOOK ON PARSHAT RE’EH-HOW TO BE BLESSEDLY HAPPY RAV KOOK ON PARSHAT RE’EH-HOW TO BE BLESSEDLY HAPPY    “Behold- I am placing before you a ברכה-blessing and a קללה-curse. The blessing will come if you obey the directives of YHVH, your E

News | News

Jonathan Sacks z”l – The Deep Power of Joy – RE’EH

Jonathan Sacks z”l – The Deep Power of Joy – RE’EH On 14 October 1663, the famous diarist Samuel Pepys paid a visit to the Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue in Creechurch Lane in the city of London. Jews had been exiled from England

News | News

Jonathan Sacks z”l – The Spirituality of Listening – EIKEV

Jonathan Sacks z”l – The Spirituality of Listening – EIKEV It is one of the most important words in Judaism, and also one of the least understood. Its two most famous occurrences are in last week’s parsha and this week’s: “Hear O

News | News

HARAV KOOK ON TISHA B’AV: REPAIRING THE WORLD WITH THE POWER OF UNCONDITIONAL LOVE

HARAV KOOK ON TISHA B’AV: REPAIRING THE WORLD WITH THE POWER OF UNCONDITIONAL LOVE “If we  destroyed [the second Temple], and the world with us, through needless hatred, we will rebuild [the third Temple] and the world with us, through unconditional

News | News

Jonathan Sacks – Seven Principles for Maintaining Jewish Peoplehood

Jonathan Sacks – Seven Principles for Maintaining Jewish Peoplehood “Hope rebuilds the ruins of Jerusalem. The Jewish people kept hope alive and hope kept the Jewish people alive. That is the message of Tisha B’Av.” ~ Rabbi Sacks    

News | News

Jonathan Sacks – To 120: Growing Old, Staying Young DEVARIM

Jonathan Sacks – To 120: Growing Old, Staying Young DEVARIM On 27 March 2012, to celebrate the diamond jubilee of the Queen, an ancient ceremony took place at Buckingham Palace. A number of institutions presented Loyal Addresses to the Queen, thanki

News | News

RAV KOOK ON ISRAEL’S RESPONSIBILITY TO UNITE THE WORLD:PARSHAT MASEI

RAV KOOK ON ISRAEL’S RESPONSIBILITY TO UNITE THE WORLD:PARSHAT MASEI What does Torat HaRav Kook teach us about Parshat Masei’s significance for our day? The Parsha recounts the Children of Israel’s 42 step 40 year journey from the enslavement of Egy

News | News

Jonathan Sacks – The Complexity of Human Rights MATOT-MASEI

Jonathan Sacks – The Complexity of Human Rights MATOT-MASEI The book of Bamidbar comes to a close that is very strange indeed. Earlier in the parsha of Pinchas we read of how the five daughters of Tzelophehad came to Moses with a claim based on just

History | Archeology

American Archeologists Unearth New Mosaic From 1,600 Year Old Synagogue In Israel

Excavations reveal mosaic artwork near the ancient Jewish village of Huqoq, in the Israeli Lower Galilee, led by University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill - Click the link for more details.

News | News

RAV KOOK ON PARSHAT PINCHAS: HOW TO BE A HOLY ZEALOT

RAV KOOK ON PARSHAT PINCHAS: HOW TO BE A HOLY ZEALOT Parshat Pinchas begins by honoring Aaron’s grandson, Pinchas  for his zealous and immediate response to the Israelite male sinning in public view with the Midianite female. “When Pinchas, son of El

News | News

Jonathan Sacks – Moshe’s Disappointment – PINCHAS

Jonathan Sacks – Moshe’s Disappointment – PINCHAS Hidden beneath the surface of parshat Pinchas, the Sages uncovered a story of great poignancy. Moses, having seen his sister and brother die, knew that his own time on earth was coming to a c

Miscellaneous | Judaism

21 Talmud Facts Every Jew Should Know

The bulk of the Talmudic texts contain analysis of Biblical verses and Torah law, but it’s interspersed with everything from medical advice to stories, from folk sayings to fabric dying tips.

News | News

Jonathan Sacks z”l – What Makes God Laugh – BALAK

Jonathan Sacks z”l – What Makes God Laugh – BALAK There is an old saying that what makes God laugh is seeing our plans for the future.[1] However, if Tanach is our guide, what makes God laugh is human delusions of grandeur. From the van

Miscellaneous | Judaism

Judaism's Stance on Gender Is Clear, Despite Attempts To Rewrite Torah

Judaism teaches that G-d Created male and female so that they might partner with Him in creating a next generation.

News | News

Rav Kook's Illuminated Torah Understanding on Moses's Fatal Error in Parshat Chukat

RAV KOOK ON MOSES’S FATAL ANGRY ERROR AT THE WATERS OF DISPUTATION AND WHAT WE MUST DO TO FIX IT RAV KOOK ON PARSHAT CHUKAT: In Parshat Chukat, we read: “The Israelites arrived at the wilderness of Zin on the first new moon, and the people stayed at K

News | News

Jonathan Sacks z”l – Healing the Trauma of Loss CHUKAT

Jonathan Sacks z”l – Healing the Trauma of Loss CHUKAT It took me two years to recover from the death of my father, of blessed memory. To this day, almost twenty years later, I am not sure why. He did not die suddenly or young. He was well int

News | News

PARSHAT KORACH: RAV KOOK ON the dangers of KORACHISM

PARSHAT KORACH: RAV KOOK ON the dangers of KORACHISM “Now Korach, son of Izhar son of Kohath son of Levi, betook himself, along with Dathan and Abiram sons of Eliab, and On son of Peleth—descendants of Reuben—to rise up against Moses, together with

News | News

Jonathan Sacks z”l – Hierarchy and Politics: The Never-Ending Story KORACH

Jonathan Sacks z”l – Hierarchy and Politics: The Never-Ending Story KORACH It was a classic struggle for power. The only thing that made it different from the usual dramas of royal courts, parliamentary meetings, or corridors of power was that

Miscellaneous | Judaism

18 Facts About the “12 Spies”

Moses sent 12 spies to Canaan; 10 gave negative reports, causing 40 years of wandering.

News | News

Rav Kook – ON “OVERCOMING SPYFULNESS” PARSHAT SHLACH

Rav Kook – ON “OVERCOMING SPYFULNESS” PARSHAT SHLACH “A world of empty chaos preceded the world of building. And light came out of the darkness- ‘And the Creator said ‘Let there be light’ ” (Notebook 3:87) And hence “Existence is ful

News | News

Jonathan Sacks z”l – Two Kinds of Fear SHELACH LECHA

Jonathan Sacks z”l – Two Kinds of Fear SHELACH LECHA One of the most powerful addresses I ever heard was given by the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, on this week’s parsha: the story of the spies. For me, it was nothing

News | News

Jonathan Sacks z”l – From Despair to Hope BEHA’ALOTECHA

Jonathan Sacks z”l – From Despair to Hope BEHA’ALOTECHA There have been times when one passage in this week’s parsha was, for me, little less than lifesaving. No leadership position is easy. Leading Jews is harder still. And spiritual

News | News

Jonathan Sacks z”l – The Blessing of Love NASO

Jonathan Sacks z”l – The Blessing of Love NASO At 176 verses, Naso is the longest of the parshiyot. Yet one of its most moving passages, and the one that has had the greatest impact over the course of history, is very short indeed and is know

News | News

Prof. Sam Lehman-Wilzig – Judaism and Artificial Intelligence: Shavuot Shows the Connection

Prof. Sam Lehman-Wilzig – Judaism and Artificial Intelligence: Shavuot Shows the Connection What does Judaism have to “say” about Artificial Intelligence (AI)? The question demands attention with AI algorithms running rampant these days: ChatGPT

News | News

Jonathan Sacks z”l – The Sound of Silence BaMidbar

Jonathan Sacks z”l – The Sound of Silence Bamidbar Bamidbar is usually read on the Shabbat before Shavuot. So the Sages connected the two. Shavuot is the time of the giving of the Torah. Bamibar means, “in the desert”. What then is the con

News | News

Jonathan Sacks z”l – Family Feeling BEHAR-BECHUKOTAI

Jonathan Sacks z”l – Family Feeling BEHAR-BECHUKOTAI I argued in my Covenant and Conversation for parshat Kedoshim that Judaism is more than an ethnicity. It is a call to holiness. In one sense, however, there is an important ethnic dimens

News | News

Jonathan Sacks z”l – The Courage to Admit Mistakes ACHAREI MOT-KEDOSHIM

Jonathan Sacks z”l – The Courage to Admit Mistakes ACHAREI MOT-KEDOSHIM Some years ago I was visited by the then American ambassador to the Court of St James, Philip Lader. He told me of a fascinating project he and his wife had initiated in 1

News | News

Jonathan Sacks z"l - The Plague of Evil Speech TAZRIA-METZORA

Jonathan Sacks z”l – The Plague of Evil Speech TAZRIA-METZORA The Rabbis moralised the condition of tzara’at – often translated as leprosy – the subject that dominates both Tazria and Metzora. It was, they said, a punishment rather than

News | News

Jonathan Sacks z”l – The Dangers of Enthusiasm SHEMINI

Jonathan Sacks z”l – The Dangers of Enthusiasm SHEMINI Excavating the history of words can sometimes be as revealing as excavating the ruins of an ancient city. Take the English word “enthusiasm”. Today we see this as something positive. O

News | News

Rav Kook's Impassioned Pesach Message: the Foundation of Freedom is Loyalty to Our Inner Essence

Rav Kook TZ’L – PESACH: FREEDOM AND LIBERATION “The core of freedom is to be…loyal to our inner essence; to the ‘Tzelem Elokeem-Divine Image’ that is within us”. In Erev Pesach 5694/April 30, 1934 Rav Kook TZ’L wrote an impassioned cal

News | News

WHAT WOULD RAV KOOK ZT”L SAY TO THE NATION OF ISRAEL TODAY?

WHAT WOULD RAV KOOK ZT”L SAY TO THE NATION OF ISRAEL TODAY? Medinat Israel-The National State of Israel is an extraordinary place. The return of B’nai Israel-The Children of Israel to their ancestral homeland is an extraordinary historical event that

News | News

the Choreography of Love: Understanding the Significance of Sacrifice in Judaism Today

Jonathan Sacks z”l – Understanding Sacrifice TZAV One of the most difficult elements of the Torah and the way of life it prescribes is the phenomenon of animal sacrifices – for obvious reasons. First, Jews and Judaism have survived without t

Miscellaneous | Judaism

The Pursuit Of Meaning | Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l

For each of us G-d has a task: work to perform, a kindness to show, a gift to give, love to share, loneliness to ease, pain to heal, or broken lives to help mend.

News | News

Discovering Meaning: the Key to a Fulfilling Life Beyond Happiness

Jonathan Sacks z”l – The Pursuit of Meaning VAYIKRA The American Declaration of Independence speaks of the inalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Recently, following the pioneering work of Martin Seligman, founder

News | News

Atone for the Sin of the Golden Calf & Reconstitute the Community: "Mending Broken Bonds: Shabbat & The Mishkan - Restoring the Power of Communities

Jonathan Sacks z”l – The Social Animal – VAYAKHEL-PEKUDEI The Rabbi Sacks Legacy Trust · The Social Animal (Rabbi Sacks on Vayakhel-Pekudei, Covenant & Conversation) Download the PDFs: > English > Hebrew > Spanish > French At the begin

Miscellaneous | Judaism

Should We Use Gender Neutral Language for G-d?

Judaism has been understood as the effort to reunite the feminine and masculine aspects of God.

News | News

Jonathan Sacks z”l – The Closeness of God כי תישא Ki Tissa

Jonathan Sacks z”l – The Closeness of God כי תישא Ki Tissa The more I study the Torah, the more conscious I become of the immense mystery of Exodus 33. This is the chapter set in the middle of the Golden Calf narrative (between Exodus ch

News | News

Jonathan Sacks z”l – The Therapeutic Joy of Purim

Jonathan Sacks z”l – The Therapeutic Joy of Purim There is a unique law in the approach to Purim. Mishe-nichnas Adar marbim be-simcha: “From the beginning of Adar, we increase in joy.” It is stated in the Talmud (Taanit 29a), and is based

News | News

RAV KOOK ON PARSHAT TETZAVEH: HOW TO ILLUMINATE LIFE

RAV KOOK ON PARSHAT TETZAVEH: HOW TO ILLUMINATE LIFE  RAV KOOK ON PARSHAT TETZAVEH:      HOW TO ILLUMINATE LIFE וְאַתָּ֞ה תְּצַוֶּ֣ה ׀ אֶת־בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל וְיִקְח֨וּ אֵלֶ֜יךָ שֶׁ֣מ

News | News

Jonathan Sacks z”l – Inspiration & Perspiration Tetzaveh

Jonathan Sacks z”l – Inspiration & Perspiration Tetzaveh Beethoven rose each morning at dawn and made himself coffee. He was fastidious about this: each cup had to be made with exactly sixty beans, which he counted out each time. He would then

News | News

RAV KOOK ON PARSHAT TRUMA: HOW TO LIVE IN THE PRESENCE OF THE DIVINE SHECHINA

RAV KOOK ON PARSHAT TRUMA: HOW TO LIVE IN THE PRESENCE OF THE DIVINE SHECHINA RAV KOOK ON PARSHAT TRUMA: HOW TO LIVE IN THE PRESENCE OF THE DIVINE SHECHINA “דַּבֵּר֙ אֶל־בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל וְיִקְחוּ־לִ֖י תּ

News | Israel Around The World

Ancient Book of Esther scrolls salvaged from Turkey earthquake rubble

A local elder of Antakya, Turkey's Jewish community handed the scrolls over to ZAKA rescuers, who are working on transporting them to safety.

News | News

Jonathan Sacks z”l – The Gift of Giving: Terumah

Jonathan Sacks z”l – The Gift of Giving: Terumah It was the first Israelite house of worship, the first home Jews made for God. But the very idea is fraught with paradox, even contradiction. How can you build a house for God? He is bigger than

News | News

Jonathan Sacks z”l – Doing and Hearing:משפטים

Jonathan Sacks z”l – Doing and Hearing:משפטים One of the most famous phrases in the Torah makes its appearance in this week’s parsha. It has often been used to characterise Jewish faith as a whole. It consists of just two words: na’a

News | News

RAV KOOK ON MISHPATIM: THE ISRAELITE WAY OF LIVING LAWFULLY

RAV KOOK ON MISHPATIM: THE ISRAELITE WAY OF LIVING LAWFULLY RAV KOOK ON MISHPATIM: THE ISRAELITE WAY OF LIVING LAWFULLY “וְאֵ֨לֶּה֙ הַמִּשְׁפָּטִ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר תָּשִׂ֖ים לִפְנֵיהֶֽם:-And these are the la

News | News

RAV KOOK: PARSHAT YITRO: BECOMING A HOLY NATION BY ESTABLISHING A HOLY GOVERNMENT

RAV KOOK: PARSHAT YITRO: BECOMING A HOLY NATION BY ESTABLISHING A HOLY GOVERNMENT “וְאַתֶּ֧ם תִּֽהְיוּ־לִ֛י מַמְלֶ֥כֶת כֹּֽהֲנִ֖ים וְג֣וֹי קָד֑וֹשׁ” “And you will be a kingdom of priests and

News | Interesting Links

Treasured artifact from 2,800 years ago reveals written references to the biblical King David

Researchers have confirmed that a stone artifact from more than 2,800 years ago has written references to King David in the Bible. The Mesha Stele, also known as the Moabite Stone, dates back to approximately 840 BC. The 3-foot tall stone slab of black ba

News | News

Jonathan Sacks – Spirits in a Material World וארא

Jonathan Sacks – Spirits in a Material World וארא Rabbi Sacks Web Site The Torah sometimes says something of fundamental importance in what seems like a minor and incidental comment. There is a fine example of this near the beginning of this par

History | Archeology

Researchers verify written records of biblical King David found off Dead Sea coast

The Mesha Stele, a basalt stone slab discovered in 1868 east of the Dead Sea that has provided historians the largest source of the Moabite language to date - Click the link for more details.

News | News

Jonathan Sacks -Turning Curses into Blessings שמות

Jonathan Sacks -Turning Curses into Blessings שמות Genesis ends on an almost serene note. Jacob has found his long lost son. The family has been reunited. Joseph has forgiven his brothers. Under his protection and influence the family has settled in G

News | News

RAV KOOK ON CHANUKAH: KINDLING THE INDIVIDUAL AND UNIVERSAL LIGHT

RAV KOOK ON CHANUKAH: KINDLING THE INDIVIDUAL AND UNIVERSAL LIGHT The people of Israel are lighting the eight lights of Chanukah everywhere. The Talmud recounts the original disagreement between the schools of Shammai and Hillel about the proper order of

Miscellaneous | Judaism

What Does Jacob’s Ladder Symbolize?

Jacob’s simple ladder foreshadows the trajectory of human development.

Miscellaneous | Judaism

The Levite Choir and Orchestra: What, Who and How?

During the time of year that we mourn the destruction of the Holy Temple, it is customary to learn the laws of the Holy Temple as a means to hasten its rebuilding during the final redemption.

History | Archeology

1,600-Year-Old Mosaic Depicting Biblical Heroines Found in Ancient Synagogue in Israel

The Israelite commander Barak depicted in a mosaic in the ancient Huqoq synagogue in northern Israel. Photo: Jim Haberman The …

Miscellaneous | Judaism

The Not-So-Dead Sea Scrolls

How the Dead Sea Scrolls, considered by many to be the most significant archaeological discovery of the 20th century, speak to Jews in the 21st century.

Miscellaneous | Judaism

17 Facts About Moses Every Jew Should Know

Moses was born in Egypt during the enslavement of the Jews. His parents, Amram and Yocheved, were from the illustrious tribe of Levi.

History | Archeology

Has the location of Noah’s Ark finally been proven using 3D scans? - The Jerusalem Post

The Torah tells us that the Ark landed on the hills of Mt. Ararat, a dormant volcano near the east border of Turkey. The Durupinar site is approximately 30 km south of that mountain.

History | Archeology

3,000-year-old inscription bearing name of biblical judge found in Israel - The Jerusalem Post

The inscription features the name "Jerubbaal," a Jewish leader from the Book of Judges, as well as dates from around 1,100 BCE.

Miscellaneous | Judaism

13 Facts About Learning Torah - Mitzvahs & Traditions

Torah study occupies a central place in Jewish life, but how much do we really know about this activity?

History | Archeology

Ancient cloth with Bible's purple dye found in Israel, dated to King David's era

3 scraps from 1,000 BCE, earliest such finds in region, point to Edomite kingdom described in Bible; vibrant and lasting 'royal' dye, mark of the elite, comes from murex sea snails

Miscellaneous | Faith

Bishop Robert Barron: Genesis

127225910653607"/>

Politics | Opinion

The Torah Versus the Left

Question: What book is the opposite of the left? Answer: the Torah. The Torah is the Hebrew name of the first five books of the Bible, the “Five Books of Moses.” The Torah is the foundation of the rest of the Bible and the rock on which both Judaism a

Miscellaneous | Jewish Life

Israeli Jewelry Company Partners With TAU Nanoscientists To Make World's Smallest Bible Part Of New Collection

A mother-daughter teamed up with the Center For Nanoscience and Nanotechnology to make a nano-sized Hebrew Bible part of a new luxury jewelry collection. | NoCamels

Miscellaneous | Judaism

A Rift Extending Across History - Chassidic Masters - Parshah

From the rivalry between Leah and Rachel, through the animosity between Joseph and his brothers, the clash between Saul and David, the split between Judah and Israel, to the dual nature of the messianic redemption—a rift and twinship that extends across h

History | Archeology

IDF Paratroopers Accidentally Uncover Ancient Guard Tower from time of King Hezekiah

IDF soldiers connected with their Biblical counterparts when they took part in an archaeological dig, uncovering a guard tower from the era of King Hezekiah

Politics | Judea & Samaria

Jews Celebrate EPIC Building Dedication in Hebron - Beit HaShalom

It finally happened! The Jews have moved into Beit HaShalom (House of Peace), the four-story residential complex purchased by Jews in Hebron.

History | Archeology

Jerusalem: Amazing Biblical archaeological finds in City of David

Two minuscule 2,600-year-old inscriptions recently uncovered in the City of David’s Givati Parking Lot excavation are vastly enlarging the understanding of ancient Jerusalem in the late 8th century.

Politics | Immigration

'I Don't Think It Was an Extreme Position I Took': Jeff Sessions on the Bible, Immigration and His Critics | CBN News

Attorney General Jeff Sessions addressed some of the criticism he and the White House have received in recent weeks regarding the administration's immigration policy in an exclusive interview Thursday with CBN News.

News | Interesting Stories

Archaeological find in Jerusalem ‘proves Bible passage is historically true’

Archaeologists excavating in Jerusalem have found burned artifacts dating from 2,600 years ago – which prove that a passage in the Bible is true. Researchers uncovered charred wood, grape seeds, fish scales, bones and pottery while digging in the City o

News | Israel & The Jewish Community

Modern Technology Unlocks Secrets of a Damaged Biblical Scroll - The New York Times

Experts using a computer imaging program have virtually unwrapped a charred ancient scroll and recovered a fragment of the authoritative text of the Hebrew Bible.

History | History

Mummy Mask May Reveal Oldest Known Gospel

A text that may be the oldest copy of a gospel known to exist — a fragment of the Gospel of Mark that was written during the first century, before the year 9...

History | History

Ancient rock adds evidence of King David’s existence | The Times of Israel

Stone slab with earliest reference to House of David, on display at Met, said to be 'one of the most important Biblical artifacts ever found'