No one likes pyramid schemes—except for the ruling class in ancient Egypt who some 4,000 years ago constructed colossal pyramids to house their mummified pharaohs in preparation for their journey to the next world. The Egyptian priests were serious about their funeral arrangements—eschewing the “you can’t take it with you” minimalist philosophy by packing a deceased pharaoh’s worldly possessions into numerous hidden burial chambers. Ironically, these treasures have been plundered over the centuries. Visitors traveling to these architectural marvels built for the ancient, mummified elite, usual ..read more

One of the most sacred holidays on the Jewish calendar, Shavu’ot is a two-day celebration which translates to mean “weeks” in Hebrew, lending credence to one of its more recognizable names, the “Festival of Weeks.” In the Greek, the word translates to Pentecost, which is the name familiar to most Christians. Shavu’ot is celebrated 50 days—or seven weeks—after the second day of Passover, typically in May or June. At the heart of the Shavu’ot celebration is God’s provision for His people, both practically and spiritually. Shavu’ot ultimately invites Jews to remember where they came from, where t ..read more

Anyone into time travel will want to visit the ancient city of Ephesus. Turn back the clock in the present-day Selcuk, a town near Izmir, in western Turkey. This once-cosmopolitan Greco-Roman city is infused with the influence of early Christianity. Ephesus is the site of one of the seven churches to whom the apostle Paul wrote an epistle redressing the church for its having “lost its first love.” The ancient city teemed with traders, artisans, intellectuals, and spiritual pilgrims. In fact, the emergence of the spectacular Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, bear ..read more

Yom HaShoah is a national memorial day in Israel. Known as Holocaust Remembrance Day, the full name of the holiday is Yom HaShoah Ve-Hagevurah, translated as the “Day of (remembrance of) the Holocaust and the Heroism.” The day was selected in a resolution passed by the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, on April 12, 1951. The Observance of Yom HaShoah in Israel Since the 1960s, there has been the unmistakable sound of a siren on every Yom HaShoah, which brings traffic and pedestrians to a halt throughout the State of Israel for two minutes of silent devotion. The siren sounds twice—once at sundown ..read more

On the western side of the Sea of Galilee lies Magdala, once a prosperous first century fishing village nestled at the base of Mount Arbel, between Tiberias and Capernaum. Known as the birthplace of Mary Magdalene, Magdala is mentioned only one time in the New Testament (Matthew 15:39). In the past decade, significant archaeological discoveries have placed it prominently on the map. 1. Ancient first-century Jewish synagogue in Magdala, the hometown of Mary Magdalene. The Bible tells in Matthew 4:23, “And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the k ..read more

One of the most joyous holidays in the Jewish calendar, Purim is celebrated annually throughout Jewish communities around the world. Meaning “lots,”—as in to draw lots or straws—in ancient Persian, Purim commemorates the Jewish liberation from Haman, who was prime minister to King Ahasuerus, ruler of the Persian Empire. This is the story in the biblical book of Esther. Haman planned to kill the Jewish people after casting lots to see which day his devious plot would take place. Starting at sunset on the 13th of the Hebrew month of Adar, Purim is a day of great feasts, gladness, and much rejoic ..read more

Trees play an important role in the Bible as a symbol of faith, strength, righteousness, and rebirth. Our intimate connection to trees is displayed throughout Scripture. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that Israel—the land of the Bible—has its own celebration in honor of trees. The holiday of Tu Bishvat is known colloquially as the “New Year of Trees,” or Rosh HaShanah La’Ilanot. And while it has no direct connection to the Bible, it is inspired by the Mishna—the cornerstone of Judaism and the first major collection of Jewish oral traditions. The holiday occurs on the 15th d ..read more