Joshua Schwartz

Ben Stada and Peter in Lydda

An enigmatic Rabbinic tradition relates that a certain Ben Stada advocated some type of cult or religion outside the framework of normative Judaism, accordingly, he was entrapped by witnesses specifically planted for that purpose, apprehended, brought before a court and executed. These events took place, according to the Rabbis, in the Palestinian city of Lydda1).

Jews and Christians in the First and Second Centuries: The Interbellum 70‒132 CE

This volume discusses crucial aspects of the period between the two revolts against Rome in Judaea. This period saw the rise of rabbinic Judaism and the beginning of the split between Judaism and Christianity.

Notes On The Virtual Reconstruction Of The Herodian Period Temple And Courtyards

This chapter relates to reconstructions of Temple and Temple courtyards as well as to attendant methodological issues. The intrinsic holiness of the Temple, for Jews and even for Christians, ignited religious and architectural imaginations. The chapter discusses briefly the issue of sources that guides reconstruction of both Temple and Temple Mount and what might be construed as methodological uniqueness. The reconstruction of the Temple and its courtyards involves numerous complex issues, with some more seemingly relevant than others, but ultimately all are interconnected. Keywords: Jews; temple courtyards; virtual reconstruction

The morphology of Roman Lydda

It is well known that the Graeco-Roman world was more urbanized than any other ancient or even pre-industrial society.1 Howeverx there is little information on sizes of towns or cities and their physical form and structure.2 Occasionally archaeological remains and literary evidence coincide, but often the remains are not extensive enough to provide a complete picture and the literary traditions present difficulties of their own.3