by David Willner
Foundation Stone
Yesterday in Jerusalem (August 28, 2011), a rare constellation gathered in Jerusalem for what may turn out to be a ground-breaking event. The first conference on archaeology sponsored by the Hareidi world.
It was a stunning achievement. Torah scholars sat with archaeologists and discussed the tremendous impact that archaeology can have on Hareidi education. From digging to exploring, from engaging with artifacts, illustrations, models, maps and other tools an openness is emerging, that when coupled carefully together can produce a knowledgeable and experienced generation of students.
What should be apparent (but is often over-looked) is the incredible impact that Torah education can have on archaeology. The irresistible attraction of combining the two can only help to cast a much greater light on a field (archaeology) that has struggled to define its position regarding classical Jewish scholarship and sources.
On issues ranging from ancient coins (see Babylonian Talmud, Keddushin 12) - often the most significant find at an excavation, to pottery (see Mishna Keylim etc.) - the most ubiquitous finds at an excavation, Jewish scholars have been analyzing and "dissecting" these issues for centuries - far beyond the range of the average archaeologist - and amassing a body of knowledge that can inform the archaeologic/academic world in ways unimagined.
The conference was opened with an electrifying presentation by Rabbi Shaul Shimon Deutsch (The Lomza Rebbe) who has transformed Torah education in the US. He's opened The Living Torah Museums (Brooklyn and the Catskills) that feature his astonishing collection of antiquities, showcasing items that show us weight and measures, coins, seals, pottery, plant and animal life from the Bible and the Mishna/Talmud. His "show-and-tell" was the hit of the conference - with a special show of appreciation for his presentation on what a "Litra" is.
Both sides have their work cut out for them. The Hareidi world will have to figure out how they are going to co-exist with a secular science that rejects their dating system, debates the veracity of the Torah, and is often dismissive of Jewish sources. The archaeological world will need to sensitize itself to the particular cares and values of a community that can arguably become a tremendous resource. We can only wish them all much success in the future - they're off to a promising start.
