The inhabitants of the ancient biblical world—including many ancient Israelites—viewed their cosmos as the home of many unseen forces: for example, powerful gods and their entourages, but also malevolent demons. This talk explores the possibility that beating upon drums may have been one means by which the ancients warded off these demonic agents. We will...

The talk follows the lives of children and young adults in the modern cities of Iraq, as well as in towns and in villages. I will explore the schools, libraries, cafes, and streets in which children interacted with other children, and present the different kinds of childhood Jewish children experienced based on their class, gender...

The relationship between Freemasonry and religion is quite a complex one. Some might think Freemasonry is a religion or at least a sect. For others it is an association that has nothing to do with religion, qualifying it as a charity club when it is not a political think-tank. If Freemasonry is not already a...

In the name of enshrining the Bible as the central text in Israeli life, Israeli Prime Minister Ben-Gurion convened a study group at his residence dedicated to interpreting the book of Joshua. The study group participants asserted that the true meaning of the Bible could only be unlocked by Jews living in their ancient homeland....