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Second-Temple Mikveh With Charring From The Churban Found Under Western Wall
The mikveh, sealed under ash from Jerusalem's 70 CE destruction, reveals halakhic ritual purity practices and use of stone vessels, according to the Israel Antiquities Authority.
- On Monday, the Israel Antiquities Authority announced a stone‑hewn mikveh uncovered beneath the Western Wall Plaza, sealed beneath a destruction layer with ash and debris from Jerusalem's Roman destruction.
- The Israel Antiquities Authority and the Western Wall Heritage Foundation were excavating near the ancient Temple complex and its two main entrances, the Great Bridge and Robinson's Arch, years ago, where researchers say the mikveh served locals and pilgrims.
- Excavators exposed four steps descending into the hewn bedrock; the mikveh measured 10 feet by 4.4 feet by 6.1 feet with plastered walls and a six-foot depth.
- Ahead of the Fast of the Tenth of Tevet, Heritage Minister Rabbi Amichai Eliyahu said the discovery highlights the intertwining of religious and daily life, while Mordechai Eliav, Western Wall Heritage Foundation Director, added it `testifies like a thousand witnesses` to renewal.
- Many stone vessels recovered indicate Jewish ritual purity practices in the Second Temple period, as archaeologists note stoneware's halakhic role and its trend from about 40 B to 135 C.E., Shimon Gibson said.
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Second-Temple Mikveh With Charring From The Churban Found Under Western Wall
JERUSALEM (VINnews) — A ritual purification bath (mikveh) dating back to the late Second Temple period has been discovered in archaeological excavations beneath the Western Wall plaza. The rock-hewn mikveh was uncovered beneath a destruction layer, bearing witness to the events of the destruction of Jerusalem nearly 2,000 years ago. The Mikveh itself has heavy […]
Coverage Details
Total News Sources14
Leaning Left3Leaning Right4Center3Last UpdatedBias Distribution40% Right
Bias Distribution
- 40% of the sources lean Right
40% Right
L 30%
C 30%
R 40%
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